Heart Patient Diet Plan - Why Garlic Helps Prevent Heart Disease

For over 3,500 years people have recognized the amazing healing powers of garlic. Writings from ancient Egypt tell of garlic's powerful healing properties with its ability to cure over 22 diseases. The Egyptians recognized that garlic was indispensable in healing those with heart disease, lethargy, and even tumors. Clay representations of garlic have been found in Egyptian tombs which represented their desire for good health during the afterlife.

Originating in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago, garlic as a healing and culinary herb spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Folklore tells of garlic's ability to ward off the Evil Eye and even vampires. Sounds odd to us, but these were just some of the things that got the blame for illnesses. So garlic's ability to ward off these evils may actually be closely associated with its health benefits.

Garlic is a potent herb. The smell comes from the sulfur compounds that also provide many of the health benefits. Areas of the world where garlic is used routinely have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than Western countries, especially the United States, where heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

Although there is some conflicting data, some studies have shown that garlic helps normalize cholesterol levels. The allicin in crushed garlic is believed to stop the oxidation of LDL, a factor that leads to atherosclerosis. The antioxidant properties help protect blood vessels from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, one of the main factors in atherosclerosis.

Garlic is also used to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors in developing serious heart problems including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Garlic also thins the blood, helping it to flow freely. Another risk factor in heart disease is blood sugar levels that are too high. Garlic is effective in lowering blood sugar and aids in preventing late-onset diabetes.

There is a growing body of evidence that links bacteria responsible for periodontal disease to heart disease. Medical science has not determined yet the exact mechanism for this correlation, but there definitely is one. Garlic comes to the rescue again. One of the primary benefits of garlic is its strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The natural antibiotic nature of garlic helps the body fight infection. Whether it is periodontal disease, the flu, a cold or any other infectious illness, garlic has been shown to be as effective as many modern medications. Long used to fight serious diseases, it was utilized for typhoid, tuberculosis, and even the plague.

Although garlic supplements are an easy and less smelly way to get your garlic, adding high-quality garlic powder to recipes and sprinkling it on salads or sandwiches is an inexpensive and effective way to add garlic to your daily routine. Some of the benefits are lost with heat so add crushed garlic to soups and stews at the end of cooking.

Garlic can indeed help prevent heart problems. Make sure you include some in your diet each day!

Monique Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate for the use of safe and effective high quality, natural, alternative health products to treat and prevent heart disease. To learn about how to prevent and treat heart disease naturally, visit her blog for weekly tips at moniquerhawkins.com heart patient diet plan