Garlic (Allium sativum)
Cardiovascular Health
Overview
- Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous plant in the Amaryllidaceae family, cultivated globally for culinary and medicinal uses.
- The edible clove contains sulfur-containing compounds, notably allicin, responsible for its aroma and biological actions.
- As a supplement, garlic primarily supports cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune health.
Chemistry
- The key active component, allicin, has the molecular formula C₆H₁₀OS₂ and IUPAC name (E)-prop-2-en-1-yl 2-prop-2-enyl disulfide.
- Allicin is a thiosulfinate (R-S(=O)-S-R′) that readily decomposes into diallyl sulfides (DAS, DADS, DATS) and S-allyl-cysteine (C₃H₇NO₂S).
- Garlic also contains flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), saponins, and trace minerals (selenium, manganese).
- Sulfide lipophilicity facilitates membrane permeation; allicin's S-O bond is highly electrophilic, reacting with thiol groups in proteins, modulating enzyme activity and signaling pathways.
- Allicin's instability leads to supplements often using aged garlic extract (AGE), where allicin converts to stable, water-soluble compounds (SAC, S-allyl-mercaptocysteine) retaining biological activity.
Sources & Quality
- Commercial garlic is primarily sourced from China, India, Spain, and the United States. High-quality cloves are cultivated in Spain's Mediterranean climate and high-altitude regions of China (e.g., Yunnan, Sichuan).
- Extraction methods:
- Aged Garlic Extract (AGE): Raw cloves are sliced, submerged in ethanol or water, and aged for 20–30 days, converting allicin to stable S-allyl-cysteine.
- Oil-based extracts: Cold-pressed garlic oil, rich in diallyl sulfides.
- Powdered garlic: Freeze-drying and milling preserve alliin.
- Quality considerations: Standardized allicin content (≥0.3% allicin or ≥1.3% allicin equivalence), low heavy-metal contamination (≤0.5 ppm lead, ≤0.1 ppm cadmium), and absence of pesticide residues. Certified organic or GMP-certified products offer reliable purity and potency.
Where to Buy Garlic (Allium sativum)
Affiliate Disclosure: We earn a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain our research and provides you with the best supplement information.