A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials for the effects of garlic on serum lipid profiles

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent results were obtained for the lipid‐regulating effects of garlic in clinical trials. With increasing interest in complementary medicine for hyperlipoidemia, it is important to explore the real effects of garlic. This meta‐ analysis was performed to investigate the influence...

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Published in:Journal of the science of food and agriculture 2012-07, Vol.92 (9), p.1892-1902
Main Authors: Zeng, Tao, Guo, Fang-Fang, Zhang, Cui-Li, Song, Fu-Yong, Zhao, Xiu-Lan, Xie, Ke-Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Allium
atherosclerosis
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiovascular disease
cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular Diseases - blood
Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control
cholesterol
Cholesterol - blood
Clinical trials
Food industries
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Garlic
Humans
Lipids
Meta-analysis
Phytotherapy
Plant Preparations - pharmacology
Plant Preparations - therapeutic use
Proteins
triglyceride
Triglycerides - blood
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Summary:BACKGROUND: Inconsistent results were obtained for the lipid‐regulating effects of garlic in clinical trials. With increasing interest in complementary medicine for hyperlipoidemia, it is important to explore the real effects of garlic. This meta‐ analysis was performed to investigate the influence of garlic on serum lipid parameters. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included into meta‐analysis. Overall, garlic was superior to placebo in reducing serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Compared with the placebo groups, serum TC and TG levels in the garlic group were reduced by 0.28 (95% CI, − 0.45, − 0.11) mmol L−1 (P = 0.001) and 0.13 (95% CI, − 0.20, − 0.06) mmol L−1 (P < 0.001), respectively. The effects of garlic were more striking in subjects with long‐term intervention and higher baseline TC levels. Garlic powder and aged garlic extract were more effective in reducing serum TC levels, while garlic oil was more effective in lowering serum TG levels. In contrast, garlic did not influence other lipid parameters, including low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), apolipoprotein B, and TC/HDL‐C ratio. CONCLUSION: Garlic could reduce serum TC and TG levels, and garlic therapy should benefit patients with risk of cardiovascular diseases. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
ISSN:0022-5142
1097-0010
DOI:10.1002/jsfa.5557