Does Garlic Fight Cancer?

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Garlic is known for its health related compounds and properties. Be it for bringing down blood pressure, reducing cholesterol level or anti-bacterial properties. But whether garlic has the ability to fight cancer or is garlic really an effective inhibitor of cancer process is yet to be confirmed.

The health properties and benefits of the allium compounds found in garlic have been given wide publicity and recognition. Taking into account the compelling evidences and success rate of cases under observation, garlic is under study by various leading institutes for its ability to fight or reduce cancer risk or by slowing the process of cell division. There is not exact and verified evidence at this time to support a specific role herb/vegetable plays in cancer prevention. Studies will go on before definitive conclusions can be drawn about cancer fighting ability of garlic and other health benefits.

How garlic fights cancer? Researches have observed many abilities and chemical compounds in garlic that can fight cancer. One compound found in garlic is allyl sulfur. Allyl sulfur can slow down or damage the progress of tumor or cancerous cell growth, nipping the disease at the budding stage. Allyl sulfur compounds, which occur naturally in garlic and onions.

For garlic to have the above affects in body there is a certain way to go about it. If garlic is peeled and cooked in the same stroke (both processes happening right after each other) it looses all it’s properties. Garlic should be peeled, crushed and cut or powdered and allowed at least 15-20 minutes time for release of an enzyme called allinase. This allinase causes reaction that helps fighting cancer. And when Garlic is cooked immediately it’s this allinase enzyme, which is lost in the process. However it is not clear how much garlic needs to be consumed, in what kind of preparations or for how long to continue taking the vegetable.

However over consumption of garlic can result in decrease in serum protein and level of calcium, can adversely affect bronchial asthma, it’s yet to be verified in humans but research shows over consumption of garlic may affect production of sperm in males. Other ill effects are bad skin and breath odor, allergic reactions, stomach disorders and diarrhea etc.

So don’t believe everything people say. If it concerns your health, try and find more information. What’s good for us may not be good for others. What works for us may not work for others. Your metabolism may differ from that of other person’s. We needn’t take chances with our health.