Garlic a day to keep cancer at bay?
From serving as an antiseptic for preventing gangrene during the World War, being used as an insecticide, controlling acne and alopecia to being used as a demon and vampire repellent and an energy booster for Greek Olympiads and Roman warriors, this little pungent herb has definitely been around quite a bit. It has also been touted as efficient in enhancing sex drive, treating common cold and tooth sensitivity, reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels and in the management of heart related conditions. But would one be reaching too far in saying that this Ayurvedic herb can help in curing cancer? Are we truly on the way to bypassing oodles of odious cancer treatments thanks to this superherb?
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a clove of the genus Allium which has become quite popular not only for its efficacy as a seasoning but also for its numerous health benefits. Since time immemorial, garlic has been an indispensable plant in the traditional medicine of the Indians, Chinese and Egyptians.
However, word on the street is that this herb might be the panacea to tackling cancer. This herb that has been fondly called ‘the bulb of the tree of life”- due to its anti-aging properties- contains antioxidants which are substances that help expunge the body of free radicals.
According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, some garlic compounds help with DNA repair, slow the growth of cancer cells and decrease inflammation; this is probably why garlic has been implicated in the significant reduction of the risk of colorectal cancer.
Garlic contains some oil-soluble sulfur complexes called organosulfur compounds. These compounds prevent blood supply to cancerous tumors, disrupt cancer cell cycles and trigger apoptosis which is programmed cell death of cancer cells. A notable example of an organosulfur compound found in garlic is allicin which is released for a short period when fresh garlic is crushed, pounded or grated. Allicin release is the reason why fresh garlic is more potent than other forms of the herb.
In addition to containing sulfur, which makes it particularly good for the hair, garlic also contains extraordinary amounts of selenium, flavonoids and allicin. Flavonoids are aromatic plant compounds which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and fight cancer by preventing cell damage. Selenium, on the other hand, prevents cancer by blocking damage to cells’ DNA and stimulating the body to repair damaged DNA through a series of complex reactions.
In light of all these mind-boggling discoveries, is it recommended to ditch all cancer drugs and treatments and buy garlic- and breath mints- by the bulk? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Irrespective of the promising results that show a link between garlic and a reduced risk of specific cancers, more studies are needed before one can unequivocally say that garlic cures cancer.
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