Lack of efficacy of dried garlic in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.

The effects of dried garlic on blood lipids, apolipoproteins and blood coagulation parameters in hyperlipemic patients were studies in two controlled, randomized, double-blind studies. Both studies comprised placebo and therapy periods of 6 weeks each. The doses administered were 3 X 198 mg in Study I (34 patients) and 3 X 450 mg in Study II (51 patients). In both studies, the following serum parameters were measured every 3 weeks: total cholesterol, HDL (high density lipoprotein)- and LDL (low density lipoprotein)-cholesterol, triglycerides and several safety parameters. In addition, apolipoproteins A and B, euglobulin lysis time, fibrin split products, prothrombin time, whole blood coagulation time and fibrinogen levels were determined in the second study only. The results indicated that neither dosage of dried garlic showed any significant effect on any of the parameters measured. It is therefore concluded that, if there is any effect of garlic on the parameters measured, it is not apparent when using a dried preparation in the dosage studied.