Garlic and Cancer

Garlic is one of the stars in cancer research circles.

The health benefits of garlic in treating cancer have been studied for many years.

For example, as long ago as 1952, Russian scientists successfully used garlic extracts against human tumors.

Evidence that people who eat garlic are more likely to escape cancer comes from a comparison of garlic eating in two Chinese counties in Shandong province.

Gangshan County residents eat about 20 g.of garlic a day (about seven cloves) and have a gastric cancer death rate of 3.45 per 100,000 population.

In nearby Quixia County, the residents care little for garlic and eat it rarely; they die of gastric cancer at the rate of 40 per 100,000.

The non-garlic eaters have an almost twelve times greater risk of deadly gastric cancer.

Japanese scientists found that garlic extracts acted as powerful antioxidants against so-called 'lipid peroxidation' that can insert inappropriate oxygen molecules into cells, causing their destruction.

Other investigators testing sulfur compounds from garlic (and onions) find that the substances saved mice from colon cancer by blocking the conversion of chemicals to powerful carcinogens.

Studies have shown that as few as two or more servings of garlic a week may help protect against colon cancer.

Substances found in garlic, such as allicin, have been shown not only to protect colon cells from the toxic effects of cancer-causing chemicals but also to stop the growth of cancer cells once they develop.

Garlic and Bad Breath

Unless everybody around you eats garlic, if you are the only one eating it, you can be easily identified by your breath and no doubt this is what puts many people off eating garlic and enjoying its many health benefits.

Many suggestions have been put forward: strong coffee, honey, yoghurt or a glass of milk. The French call red wine an effective deodorizer. Cloves are also supposed to do it.

The most commonly recommended is chewing parsley - the herb chlorophyll is supposed to douse the garlic smell. Try different ones and see which one is best for you.

Don't let the smell stop you from enjoying the health benefits of garlic, especially if you suffer with elevated cholesterol levels, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, Candida infections, asthma, respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal complaints.

The best thing you could do is to enjoy it with your family and friends, so nobody will notice the smell!

Compiled by: Raghda Sawas