𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐣𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐲𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, affects about 30% of adults worldwide, placing them at a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. While conventional antihypertensive medications are widely prescribed to manage the condition, many patients seek complementary treatments to boost their efforts. One such potential adjunct is aged garlic extract, a natural remedy known for its blood pressure-lowering properties.

A recent study has investigated the effect of aged garlic extract on patients with uncontrolled systolic hypertension who were already on prescribed antihypertensive medications. The results provide new insight into the effectiveness, dose-response, tolerability, and acceptability of garlic as a supplementary treatment option for managing hypertension.

Study Overview:

The double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial involved 79 patients suffering from uncontrolled systolic hypertension. Participants were divided into four groups, with each receiving either a placebo or one of three different doses of aged garlic extract (240 mg, 480 mg, or 960 mg per day) over 12 weeks. The primary goal was to evaluate the effect of garlic extract on systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the placebo.

Blood pressure readings were taken at weeks 4, 8, and 12, and the results were compared to baseline measurements. Tolerability was monitored throughout, while a questionnaire assessed the acceptability of the treatment at the end of the trial.

Key Findings:

The results were promising for those taking aged garlic extract. The group that consumed two capsules per day (480 mg) showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, with a decrease of 11.8 mm Hg compared to the placebo group. This reduction was not only statistically significant (P=0.006) but also clinically meaningful, especially for patients struggling to control their blood pressure with conventional medications alone.

A borderline significant reduction was also observed in the four-capsule group (960 mg), with a decrease of 7.4 mm Hg at week 8. However, the group taking only one capsule (240 mg) showed no significant improvement in blood pressure compared to the placebo.

Tolerability, compliance, and overall acceptability of garlic extract were high across all groups, with 93% of participants reporting no adverse effects or issues with taking the supplement. The groups taking one or two capsules daily had the highest satisfaction rates, suggesting that garlic extract was not only effective but also well-tolerated by most participants.

Conclusions:

The findings of this trial suggest that aged garlic extract can serve as an effective and tolerable adjunct treatment for uncontrolled hypertension. While it may not replace traditional antihypertensive medications, its role as a supplementary treatment could offer additional benefits to those looking for natural ways to manage their blood pressure.

With minimal side effects and high patient acceptability, aged garlic extract may be a safe option for individuals dealing with hypertension. However, as always, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before adding any new supplement to your routine, particularly if you're already on blood pressure medication.

If you suffer from hypertension or are interested in natural remedies to complement your treatment, aged garlic extract might be worth considering. Its positive impact on blood pressure could be the missing piece to your comprehensive hypertension management plan.

Source: Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP. Aged garlic extract reduces blood pressure in hypertensives: a dose-response trial. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2013;67(1):64-70. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2012.178