Pow! Why everyone's favorite bulb packs a mean (immune-boosting) punch. (frontiers of science).(Brief Article)

Okay, so you go to the gym, kick-box once a week, have a mean right jab and your muskles, as Popeye would say, are toned and pumped (or getting there). What's missing from your personal defense armamentarium? Garlic--one of nature's most potent immune knock-out kings--doesn't take any guff from cold-and-flu season nasties. Aside from being one of the best tasting foods around, garlic helps our immune system stay really buff.

NATURAL BORN KILLER CELLS?

A summary of garlic research that appeared in the PDR for Herbal Medicines (2000) suggests that garlic-powder tablets improve the activity of natural killer (NK) cells; these cells are vital in fighting cancers, cold-and-flu viruses and bacteria. In fact, in a 1999 test-tube study by D. See, and others, this pungent bulb's antiviral powers were demonstrated.

In 1998, E. Kyo and colleagues found that garlic extract (aged) stimulated the release of immune-boosting cytokines (IL-2, tumor necrosis factor and interferon), improved the Pac-Man-like abilities of special immune cells, called macrophages, to "eat" invaders, and boosted NK-cell function. In fact, after 24 hours, this extract "doubled the ability of natural killer cells to destroy YAC-1, a cancer-cell line."

CANCER, CHEMO AND FLU

In cell-culture and animal-model studies by Kyo (1998), D. Riggs (1995, 1997) and N. Morioka (1993), it was shown that garlic extract (aged) indirectly improves the immune system's attack against sarcoma-180, bladder cancer and tumors. In the case of bladder cancer, Riggs' study suggested that this garlic-based approach could be used as a supportive (adjuvant) therapy along with conventional treatment. Morioka and colleagues believe that garlic-based therapy may allow dose reduction of IL-2 chemotherapy.

Pioneering animal-based research by K. Nasal, in 1973, suggested that garlic extract (aged) was effective against influenza vires (the flu), in one case directly helping a flu vaccine work better and, in another, improving the outcome of animals given the garlic preparation for 15 days before inoculation.