subject: Senior Health - Benefits Of Garlic In Every Day Health [print this page] Some seniors have always included garlic for culinary uses, but most have never thought about the health benefits of garlic. Known in Latin as "Allium sativum", garlic has been eaten for centuries. However, it has also been used as an herbal medicine, and it was once thought to ward off bad spirits.
Scientific research has known for many years that allicin, and organic compound, is a powerful antioxidant. It is also what brings that pungent aroma and delicious flavor to garlic. What wasn't clear was if the antioxidant components were as strong as those found in coenzyme Q10 or even vitamin E.
According to Dr. Derek Pratt, the Canada Research Chair in Free Radical Chemistry, the allicin in garlic needs to decompose before it produces powerful antioxidants and other medicinal effects. Perhaps, this is why many herbalists say that in order to get the best results, it is better that the garlic sits a few minutes after you have sliced it. It gives the decomposition process time to get started.
Amazing Health Benefits of Garlic for Seniors
There are many health benefits of garlic. You can eat it raw, cooked, in tablet or capsule, or you can use it in oil for topic applications.
The benefits of raw garlic are the best if you really like the taste of it, and you don't mind the occasional odor it gives your breath, eating it raw can give some of the best results. Eating it cooked is okay for the flavor, but many of the chemicals that contain the antioxidants are destroyed in the cooking process. You are better off eating it raw in salads, or crushing it up and eating it raw.
Tip: You can eliminate a lot of the garlic smell on your breath by just putting the crushed garlic in your mouth and washing it down with some water. Most of the bad breath comes from chewing on it.
Other specific benefits:
Disease Prevention " One of the biggest health benefits of garlic, and even onions to a lesser extent, is disease prevention. There are decades of reports in health journals that detail the power of garlic to reduce the risks of illnesses. Consuming garlic everyday is like taking a natural health tonic.
Stops Ear Infection - Garlic oil is a standard herbal treatment for ear infections. You can make it yourself by crushing up fresh garlic and putting it into a bowl. Next, use some olive oil to saturate the garlic. If you are in a hurry, let it sit for a few hours to allow the oil to extract some of the garlic juices, strain the concoction and then slowly drip some of the oil into the affected ear. Use some cotton to place in the ear to keep the oil from running back out.
Lowers Blood Pressure " There is evidence that garlic can lower a person's blood pressure. Therefore, eating a few cloves of garlic each day would definitely make it worth it if helped slow down the process of hardening of the arteries.
Fights Multiple Infections " Garlic is an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal infections fighter. It can be helpful with bronchitis, throat and ear infections, and even help out with some symptoms of the common cold.
Benefits of Garlic for Seniors - Conclusion
If you are planning to increase the amount of garlic that you take, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor. Too much garlic can irritate the stomach, and it can also thin the blood, which might cause problems if you are taking any other blood thinner.
Seniors shouldn't expect garlic to replace all of their medications. However, the health benefits of garlic for seniors might stop other diseases, and treat many symptoms of existing ones.
by:Carrie Roberts
Zaproxy alias impedit expedita quisquam pariatur exercitationem. Nemo rerum eveniet dolores rem quia dignissimos.
