Digestive System Service, Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, 18014 Granada, Spain.
Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain.
Nutrients. 2024 Aug 22;16(16):2811. doi: 10.3390/nu16162811.
Hypercholesterolemia plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases, and its prevention seems to be a crucial healthcare strategy to ameliorate these conditions. Subjects with mild hypercholesterolemia are frequently advised against using cholesterol-lowering drugs due to potential side effects, with an emphasis instead on prioritizing dietary adjustments and lifestyle modifications as the primary strategy. In this context, the use of dietary supplements based on medicinal plants may be recommended as a complementary approach to managing elevated cholesterol levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and potential therapeutic effectiveness of a standardized formulation containing extracts from garlic and onions in addressing the health concerns of individuals with slightly elevated cholesterol levels. A controlled, randomized, double-blind, two parallel-group study was conducted over 8 weeks, with clinical visits scheduled at baseline, weeks 2 and 4, as well as at the end of the study. The results revealed significant reductions in both low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels among participants who received the extract. Additionally, improvements in blood pressure, as well as in oxidative and inflammatory markers were observed, thus suggesting its potential as a valuable therapeutic intervention for managing mild hypercholesterolemia.
高胆固醇血症在心血管疾病的发生和发展中起着关键作用，预防高胆固醇血症似乎是改善这些疾病的重要医疗策略。由于潜在的副作用，轻度高胆固醇血症患者通常不建议使用降胆固醇药物，而是强调优先进行饮食调整和生活方式改变作为主要策略。在这种情况下，基于药用植物的膳食补充剂的使用可能被推荐作为管理升高的胆固醇水平的一种补充方法。本研究旨在调查一种标准化配方的安全性和潜在治疗效果，该配方含有大蒜和洋葱的提取物，以解决胆固醇水平略有升高的个体的健康问题。这是一项为期 8 周的对照、随机、双盲、两平行组研究，在基线、第 2 周和第 4 周以及研究结束时进行临床访视。结果显示，接受提取物的参与者的低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和总胆固醇水平均显著降低。此外，还观察到血压以及氧化和炎症标志物的改善，因此提示其作为治疗轻度高胆固醇血症的有价值的治疗干预的潜力。
