Page 46 - Today's Dietitian (February 2020)

CPE Monthly By Elizabeth Streit, MS, RDN, LD

for the health benefits of garlic.
However, some studies continue to
explore the benefits of allicin. Research-
ers who have isolated allicin in the lab-
oratory have found that it acts as an
antioxidant and can trap free radicals. In
addition, findings from research on rats
suggest that allicin may prevent hyper-
tension by fighting oxidative stress and
inhibiting the processes that lead to
high blood pressure. The implication of
these findings for humans is undermined
by allicin’s lack of bioavailability in the
human body, due to its volatility and
rapid decomposition when ingested. 3
During the preparation of garlic oil or
oil-soluble garlic extracts, more organo-
sulfur compounds than those that exist
in raw garlic are created. Many of these
The Disease-Protective compounds may demonstrate health
benefits, although research on indi-
Properties of Garlic vidual compounds is limited. Garlic
oils largely are composed of diallyl sul-
fide and diallyl trisulfide, compounds
G arlic as a flavoring as well as garlic’s health benefits, summarizes the Research focusing on the specific health
2
that are the focus of several studies.
benefits of garlic oil suggests possible
a form of medicine has been
mechanisms of action of the various
compounds found in garlic, and evalu-
implications for the prevention of osteo-
well known throughout his-
4,5
tory. It’s been prized for its
6,7
reap the benefits of this bulb.
tain types of cancer. For example,
healing powers by physicians ates the safest and most effective way to porosis and protection against cer-
and healers in countries all over the
world, including ancient China, Egypt, The Chemistry
India, and Greece. The bulb, for example, Several compounds found in garlic may
was regarded as a powerful antibiotic, produce health benefits, but the abun- COURSE CREDIT: 2 CPEUs
a remedy for snakebites, a way to cure dance and efficacy of these compounds Learning Objectives
constipation and stomachache, and even depend on the preparation technique. After completing this continuing edu-
a relief for colic. Emerging research The most common garlic preparations cation course, nutrition professionals
1
provides considerable evidence for the include raw or cooked garlic, powder should be better able to:
remedial properties of garlic touted in from dried garlic, oil, and aged extract 1. Evaluate garlic’s mechanism of
ancient times and suggests that garlic formed by soaking crushed garlic in action and the impact of different pro-
may offer protective benefits for the aqueous solutions. Raw, intact garlic cessing and preparation methods on
heart, brain, and immune system and possesses sulfur-containing compounds garlic’s efficacy.
improve hypertension, fasting blood such as alliin that contribute to its char- 2. Distinguish the effects of garlic from
sugar, and serum lipid levels. However, acteristic flavor and smell. Crushing food vs supplement form.
most of these benefits have been associ- or cutting garlic converts these sulfur
ated in research with garlic supplements compounds into active and volatile 3. Discuss the potential benefits of
garlic, including immune-modulating,
rather than dietary garlic. forms called thiosulfinates, the most hypotensive, cholesterol-lowering,
Due to the complexity of garlic’s well known of which is allicin. Although neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-
chemical composition, the exact mech- many individuals believe that allicin is osteoporotic effects.
anisms through which garlic protects the main compound that contributes 4. Analyze at least two reasons why
against diseases aren’t well understood. 2 to the health benefits of garlic, research research on the health benefits of
Processing methods appear to influence shows that this thiosulfinate is unstable garlic shows contradictory results.
the concentration of certain compounds in the human body. In the conditions of
and the overall benefits of garlic prepa- the body, allicin decomposes into other Suggested CDR Learning Codes
rations. Recent studies have identified a sulfur-containing compounds and, 2010, 2020, 4040
variety of forms of garlic and compounds therefore, isn’t likely a main health-pro- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators
in them that may have beneficial effects. moting compound of garlic. Instead, the 8.1.2, 8.3.1, 8.4.1
2
This continuing education course variety of compounds that develop from CPE Level 2
assesses current research findings on allicin are more likely to be responsible

46 TODAY’S DIETITIAN • FEBRUARY 2020