I have chosen to mention garlic given this time of year – ‘the lurgy’ is lurking and natures anti-biotic is garlic.

Garlic is one of the oldest medicinal foods on the planet.

It is lipid lowering, antithrombotic, anti-blood coagulation, antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral AND antiparasitic.

Cholesterol – garlic has been shown to lower total serum cholesterol be 12% in only 4 weeks, lower LDL by 4-15% without lowering HDL (the good one). In some studies it actually raised the HDL by 22% and lowered triglycerides by 17%.

Plaque is reduced by garlic which makes it an added benefit for cardiovascular patients.  The active ingredient allicin has antiplatelet activity which means it helps prevent the platelets from sticking together.

Want some more chemoprotection? Stomach and colon cancer are decreased by those who consume garlic.

Common cold? Not only does garlic protect against getting a cold, but also the severity and duration.  Garlic has antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.

Enough yet? Blood pressure is another attribute garlic has a positive effect upon.

More weight loss tips? Garlic! Allicin (the active ingredient of garlic) has been shown to lower blood pressure, insulin and triglycerides and stem weight gain in a study on rats.  And another rat study showed garlic oil increased insulin sensitivity.

Tip – how to get the most from your garlic – crush or chop to allow the natural reaction to occur between its unique components that will avail its health benefits.

Tip 2 – use fresh as first option.  Do not microwave, it kills the destroys the allicin. And supplements – look for allicin ‘content’ not allicin ‘potential.’

Recipe

Garlic and Ginger dipping sauce

1 tspn oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 clove garlic, crushed
3 tspn ginger, grated
100ml fresh tomato sauce
2 tspn finely chopped chilli
1 tspn fish sauce
juice of 1 lemon or lime

Heat the oil in a small pan.  Add the chopped garlic and ginger and sear for 30 seconds. Stir in remaining ingredients and taste. This is a fresh sauce that works beautifully with seafood. It doesn’t keep well.