role of garlic powder and gemfibrozil in lowering lipid levels in patients of diabetes mellitus

To study the effects of powdered garlic [Allium sativum] on the lipid profile of patients of diabetes mellitus with hyperlipedemia. DESIGN: Controlled trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients fasting serum cholesterol levels of 280 mg/ 100 ml or more and /or triglyceride 180 mg / 100 ml or more were treated with powdered garlic at a dose of 6 grams/ day for four weeks. Gemfibrozil 1200 mg/day was used on seven patients for 4 weeks as standard drug for comparison. The data obtained showed a marked reduction in total serum lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL- Cholesterol levels while mean serum HDL - Cholesterol levels were significantly raised which was more marked with garlic as compared to gemfibrozil, CONCLUSIONS: Garlic power has got significant effect on lowering most of the serum lipids. HDL- C levels were raised with its use. In diabetic patients the beneficial effects of garlic powder are significant and economical

Effect of garlic [Allium Sativum] powder on lipid profile in patients of ischemic heart disease [IHD]

The effects of garlic [Allium Sativum] powder were studied on the lipid profile in patients of ischemic heart disease [I.H.D] and compared with gemfibrozil [Lopid], a standard lipid lowering agent. Twenty one patients of I.H.D. with raised lipid levels were administered 6 grams of garlic powder, in three divided doses, orally for four weeks. Seven patients of I.H.D. with raised lipid levels were given 1200 mg gemfibrozil orally per day in two doses for four weeks. Garlic powder reduced serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C more than gemfibrozil but the differences were non-significant [P>0.05]. Garlic powder increased the level of HDL-C more than gemfibrozil and the difference was significant [p<0.01]. No side effect specifically comparing with gemfibrozil was detected in the patients treated with garlic

Comparative study of garlic powder and gemfibrozil in patients of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus

In this study we observed the effects of garlic [Allium sativum] powder on lipid profile in hyperlipidaemic patients [fasting serum cholesterol 280 mg / 100 ml or more and / or triglyceride 180 mg / 100ml or more] suffering from ischemic heart disease [IHD] and diabetes mellitus [DM] and compared its effects with those of the standard lipid regulating drug gemfibrozil [Lopid]. Nine patients suffering from IHD and DM were put on garlic powder [6 gram / day] for a period of four weeks, six patients were put on gemfibrozil [1200 mg/day] for a period of four weeks. After completion of the treatment the lipid profile was again examined. The parameters studied were serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]. The reduction in the garlic treated group of patients of serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C was more marked as compared the gemfibrozil treated patients. Garlic increased the mean serum HDL-C levels very significantly. All these changes produced by garlic powder are beneficial in patients of IHD and DM which are at high risk. Serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C directly or indirectly enhance the process of atherosclerosis, while HDL-C slows this process by taking away cholesterol from arteries towards the liver for its metabolism and excretion. So garlic is very useful dietary component for slowing the process of atherosclerosis and its associated complications in high risk patients if used regularly for a long time