Garlic, The Ultimate Detoxifier and More

Garlic offers a wide range of beneficial properties for the body, with one of the most important being the ability to detoxify – or remove harmful toxins, which is a key factor in overall health as well as longevity.

A study  published in the journal, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, found that garlic is as effective at eliminating lead from the body as d-penicillamine, but without the serious side effects. They also noted that lead poisoning accounts for 0.2 percent of all deaths and 0.6 percent of disability-adjusted life years around the globe; the heavy metal that was once commonly used in paints, is still around today and is known to cause damage to the skeletal, cardiovascular and digestive systems. It is known to have significant negative effects on the kidneys, nervous system and reproductive organs.

The pharmaceutical solution for lead poisoning isn’t much better – it comes with serious side effects that include anemia, diarrhea, bone marrow suppression, collagen disorders, distorted taste, and even kidney, liver and muscle damage. The risk of these side effects is said to be as much as 30 to 60 percent, which doesn’t make it a very good gamble.

Of course, this study already adds to the long list of the health benefits of garlic that have been confirmed by science. Its detoxifying properties don’t just apply to lead; consider all of the many toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis. There are toxins in the air we breathe, in many of the foods we eat, in cleaning agents, secondhand cigarette smoke and a variety of other sources.

No wonder garlic has long been considered a superfood. It is known as the most effective broad spectrum anti-microbial agent with 39 different anti-fungal, bacterial, parasitic and viral agents. Garlic is immune boosting and offers anti-infection properties – plus it adds fabulous flavor to any dish.

You probably already know some of garlic’s amazing health benefits. In addition to removing heavy metals and toxins, the short list of benefits includes:

• Stabilizing blood pressure
• Lowering LDL cholesterol
• Reducing atherosclerotic buildup
• Regulating blood sugar levels
• Preventing blood clots from forming to reduce the risk of stroke
• Helping to decrease the risk of cancer
• Reducing the instance of yeast infections

Did you know that garlic should also be a staple in your medicine cabinet? Crushed raw garlic can be used as a very powerful antibiotic when applied to the site of an infection. It will initially burn, but is one of the best ways to eradicate an infection without a prescription medication.

It can even kill strains of staph and bacteria that have become immune to modern antibiotics. The best way to use it is to crush a clove of raw garlic and let it sit for about 10 minutes before using. This allows it to form the maximum amount of allicin, providing greater antibacterial properties.

Don’t be afraid to use garlic as often as possible – if you’re worried about the smell, try eating a sprig of fresh parsley with it. Parsley contains high levels of chlorophyll, which act as a natural breath freshener.

-The Alternative Daily