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A randomized, Double-blind Clinical Trial of the Three-month Effect of Garlic Administration on Cardiac Outcomes in
Sima Azish1, Mohammad Garakyaraghi2, Mehrbod Vakhshoori2
1Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Insights
Garlic supplements improved heart failure symptoms and breathing in patients. This study suggests garlic may be a beneficial complementary treatment for heart failure (HF).
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Garlic possesses potential anti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic properties.
- The impact of garlic on cardiac function in heart failure (HF) patients requires further investigation.
- This study evaluated garlic's effects on cardiac outcomes and quality of life in Iranian HF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of garlic supplementation in improving cardiac function and quality of life in heart failure patients.
- To investigate the impact of garlic on New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and Modified Borg Scale (MBS) scores.
- To provide evidence for garlic as a potential complementary therapy for heart failure management.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind clinical trial involving 160 heart failure patients (NYHA class II-III) in Isfahan, Iran.
- Participants received 500 mg of odorless garlic tablets or placebo twice daily for three months.
- Evaluated outcomes included cardiac function parameters, NYHA class, quality of life (Minnesota Living with HF questionnaire), and MBS.
Main Results:
- Garlic consumption significantly improved NYHA functional class compared to placebo (79.4% vs. 50.6%, P<0.001).
- Patients taking garlic showed significantly lower Modified Borg Scale (MBS) levels post-intervention (P=0.040).
- Improvements were observed in cardiac function and quality of life scores, though not all results were detailed in the abstract.
Conclusions:
- Garlic administration may enhance cardiac function and improve breathing in heart failure patients.
- Garlic shows promise as an effective complementary therapy for managing heart failure symptoms.
- Further research is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate garlic's mechanisms in HF.
Background:
Garlic may have anti-oxidanmayti-hypertensive and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. However, the effects of its administration on cardiac function in heart failure (HF) patients impact require further investigation. We aimed to evaluate garlic prescription effects on cardiac outcomes and quality of life scores in Iranian HF patients.
Method:
From August to December 2020, a randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted. Individuals with heart failure (New York heart association (NYHA) functional class of II and III) referred to private clinics in Isfahan, Iran, were randomly assigned to intervention (n=80) and control (n=80) groups. They have received 500 mg of odorless garlic tablets or the same shape and dosage of placebo twice daily for three months. Laboratory data, cardiac outcomes (end-diastolic diameter, ventricular septal thickness, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction), quality of life score (Minnesota living with HF questionnaire), and the Modified Borg Scale (MBS) were all evaluated at the baseline and the end of the trial.
Results:
The population's mean age was 58.1±13.5 years (55% males). Patients who consumed garlic had remarkably improved functional class compared to placebo takers and their baseline (NYHA practical class of II, 79.4% vs. 50.6%, P<0.001 and 79.4% vs. 54%, P=0.006, respectively). MBS levels were significantly lower among garlic consumers (baseline: 2.52±0.5, after three months: 2.2±1.06, P= 0.040).
Conclusions:
Garlic administration may improve cardiac function and breathe in HF patients. Complementary research is necessary to confirm our findings.
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