New research has discovered that a specific form of garlic, Aged Garlic Extract (AGE), significantly reduces low-attenuation plaque, also known as 'soft plaque' or non-calcified plaque, within the arteries of patients with metabolic syndrome. The findings indicate that AGE may reverse heart disease, and will be presented at the 9th annual scientific meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography to be held on 10-13 July 2014 in San Diego, California.
The double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study, which was conducted at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, involved 55 middle-aged patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. All the participants underwent screening at the beginning of the study to measure the total coronary plaque volume as well as dense calcium, non-calcified plaque, and low-attenuation plaque. The screening was conducted using Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA), a revolutionary noninvasive imaging technology that accurately measures calcium deposits and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Following evaluation, the participants were given either a placebo or a dose of 2,400mg Aged Garlic Extract every day. A follow-up screening was conducted a year after initial screening to assess any potential changes. The UCLA researchers, led by Dr Matthew Budoff, found that the patients taking Aged Garlic Extract had slowed total plaque by 80%, reduced soft plaque, and demonstrated regression (less plaque on follow-up) for low-attenuation plaque, the most vulnerable component of atherosclerosis. This is the first time that a natural supplement has been shown to control or reverse heart disease.
"These findings add to a growing body of evidence that points to a reduction in the amount of total and non-calcified plaque in those taking supplemental Aged Garlic Extract," says lead researcher Dr Budoff of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute. "While further studies need to be conducted, the results are promising that Aged Garlic Extract has the ability to stabilise vulnerable plaque that can lead to a future heart attack or stroke."
Aged Garlic Extract, sold under the brand name Kyolic, was researched by Budoff's team in several previous clinical studies and was shown to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis, lower blood pressure, improve oxidative stress and enhance circulation. Along with more than 750 published scientific studies on Aged Garlic Extract to date, Dr Budoff's clinical results adds to the growing body of research findings that Aged Garlic Extract can play a key role in slowing the progression of atherosclerosis – a gradual narrowing and hardening of the arteries that is implicated in heart attack and stroke – and may reverse heart disease as well. Dr Budoff states: "Our studies demonstrate the benefit of Aged Garlic extract on both plaque changes over time and new plaque formation. We have completed four randomised studies to date and all have led us to concur that AGE is both beneficial for slowing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and reversing the early stages of heart disease.
“Few therapies have ever been able to slow or stop atherosclerosis and AGE is now in an elite class of therapies that allow us to potentially reverse the process of heart disease."
The production of Aged Garlic Extract, a 3-year process, begins with organic raw garlic grown on farms under strictly controlled organic conditions without the use of chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. Using a unique and standardised ageing process, the active, bioavailable compounds are concentrated up to two years resulting in an odourless Aged Garlic Extract in an antioxidant, nutritional form.
"This clinical study is very important because Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract has repeatedly shown reproducible benefits for improved cardiovascular health, even in at-risk populations," says Toshi Ide, Director of Research and Development at Wakunaga of America, the maker of Kyolic AGE. "This clinical study will be useful, not only in preventing cardiovascular disease in those with metabolic syndrome, but also in healthy individuals with high cholesterol and other risk factors for the buildup of potentially dangerous arterial plaque."
