Garlic

About the Book

This is a unique, first-of-its-kind book that describes the scientific proof behind the beneficial effects of garlic by directly presenting the results of scientific studies in an easy to understand narrative. The scientific terms have been explained at the point where they first appear, making them more understandable in the context where they are used. It also eliminates the need for a glossary and the effort to look into it.

The book is arranged in chapters each dealing with a specific aspect, such as effects on high blood cholesterol, effects on blood pressure, cancer, etc. Each chapter starts with background information of the condition (disease) and what is the understood and established mechanism of its development. It then discusses how drugs are experimentally tested for this condition. How clinical trials determine the efficacy of a drug. Effects of garlic in such experimental and clinical studies are then presented with references to the investigators, place of research and where the findings were published. The simplicity of presentation has been maintained for easy understanding.

The Introductory chapter provides background information about garlic and its use in various cultures and the history of medicinal uses. It also introduces the reader to results of epidemiological studies, about the use of natural/alternative medicines, conducted both in the United States and Europe.

Potential drug interactions amongst herbal supplements and the conventional drugs are an important aspect of supplements use and often reported in the media. Background information about such interactions has been dealt with in a separate chapter and the bases for such likelihood are defined. Garlic and its potential interactions with most commonly used conventional drugs have been explained at length.

Finally the concluding chapter put the scientific findings and the conventional use of garlic in perspective. It is supplemented with a bibliography of 282 references of scientific publications.

About the Author

Dr. Akbar obtained his M.D. from India, and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. He is currently an Associate Professor of pharmacology at the Medical University of the Americas. He has more than fifteen years of experience in the pharmacological research of natural products and has several research papers published in peer-reviewed journals to his credit.