Garlic & immunity

Better Nutrition, April, 2000 by James J. Gormley

Over 3,000 scientific articles must mean something

As we switch gears from winter's cold grasp to spring's warm embrace, very often colds, flu and allergies choose this auspicious time to latch on to us, as well. Fortunately for us, garlic and garlic-derived supplements have over 5,000 years of traditional use and over 3,000 scientific articles attesting to the fact that the "stinking rose" and its supplement brethren beneficially modulate our immunity, even for more serious conditions.

ALLERGIES

In a 1999 textbook (Immunomodulatory Agents From Plants. Basel: Birkhauser Verlag), Eikai Kyo, and colleagues, showed that garlic extract (aged) had a powerful influence on the following immune players: interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon (INF)-gamma and natural killer cells, and on the process of phagocytosis, the Pac-Man-like in which white blood cells (such as macrophages) engulf, or eat, invaders. One study that focused in on histamines and allergic response -- when immune factors are out of whack -- was also carried out by the author, Kyo. Using an animal model, the researchers examined atopic dermatitis and the influence of the garlic extract. Administering this garlic preparation resulted in a 25-55 percent decrease in dermatitis-caused inflammation.

Kyo, E., et al. "Garlic as an immunostimulant." In: H. Wagner, ed. Immunomodulatory Agents From Plants. Basel, Switzerland: Birkhauser Verlag, 1999.

Kyo, E., et al. "Anti-allergic effects of aged garlic extract," Phytomedicine 4(4):335-340, 1997.

E.COLI

According to Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Application of Allium sativum L. and Related Species, 2nd edition (1998), immune-boosting was shown in an older group of patients, who had been given 600 mg of garlic powder for 3 months. The ability of specific white blood cells (granulocytes and monocytes) to engulf Escherichia coli bacteria was "significantly improved."

Reuter, Hans D., et al. "Therapeutic Effects and Applications of Garlic and Its Preparations." In: H. P. Koch and Larry D. Lawson, eds. Garlic: The Science and Therapeutic Application of Allium sativum L. and Related Species. Second edition. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1998.

CANCER

In a fascinating study out of the UCLA School of Medicine, researchers N. Morioka, and others, looked at a specific protein fraction derived from aged garlic extract -- fraction 4 (F4) -- and administering this protein in cell-culture (under the microscope) to combat specific cancer-cell lines (K562 and M14). Administering F4 improved many indicators of enhanced immunity, including the activity of IL-2 and peripheral blood lymphocytes (circulating white blood cells). The authors concluded that F4 (from garlic extract [aged]) "is a very efficient immopotentiator [immune-booster] and may be used for immunotherapy."

Morioka, N., et al. "A protein fraction from aged garlic extract enhances cytotoxicity and proliferation of human lymphocytes mediated by interleukin-2 and concanavalin A," Cancer Immunol Immunother 37(5):316-322, 1993.

GENERAL IMMUNITY

H. Salman, and colleagues, looked at a different garlic derivative in their 1999 study. Using human cells in a test tube, the researchers took a sulfur compond from garlic, alliin (Sallylcysteine sulfoxide), and observed its effect on the PacMan-like engulfing capacity of phagocytic white cells. The results suggested improved production of certain white blood cells, such as interleukin-1-beta and TNFa. The authors concluded that "alliin exerts an immunomodulatory effect on certain functions" of circulating blood cells.

Salman, H., et al. "Effect of a garlic derivative (alliin) on peripheral blood cell immune responses," Int J Immunopharmacol 21(9):589-597, 1999.

H. PYLORI & CANDIDA

Separate studies by Cellini (1996) and Tadi (1990) have shown that garlic extract (aged) is effective against two very annoying and troublesome invasive "bugs," Heliobacter pylori (bacteria) and Candida albicans (yeast), respectively. H. pylori, which we now know is one of the main causes of duodenal ulcer, was kept in check by garlic extract (aged) found L. Cellini and his fellow researchers at Italy's Institute of Experimental Medicine. Candida was "run outta town" by Padma Tadi and the study leaders, Benjamin Lau and Robert Teel, from Loma Linda University, in California.