Garlic Can Prevent Heart Damage

Many people do not like to eat chili onion because the smell makes my breath smell bad. But behind the smell of garlic is very efficacious for preventing damage to heart cells caused by blockage of blood vessels.

Garlic is often used as a seasoning or a mixture of chili garlic contains compounds called dialilsulfat. In one study, the compound proved able to release hydrogen sulfide gas that is useful to protect the heart cells.

Hydrogen sulfide has long been known to protect the heart, but its use is not practical because it must be given by injection. The content dialilsulfat in garlic gives hope that the hydrogen sulfide gas can be supplied with more practical, ie by way of being swallowed.

"We have been doing research to find a drug that can release hydrogen sulfide through the oral route (swallowed), so no need to be injected again," said Prof. David Lefer of Emory University who conducted the study.

The experiments conducted by Prof. Lefer is still limited to mice, but the results are quite promising. As a simulated heart attack, the rats were given a blockage of blood vessels for about 45 minutes and then given a drug containing dialilsulfat.

Compared to mice that only corked blood vessels without any drug was given, the rats that received fewer dialilsulfat damaged heart cells. Level of damage during vascular congestion can be reduced up to 61 percent.

Naturally, hydrogen sulfide gas is also produced by the body and in sufficient levels very useful to prevent inflammation or inflammation in heart cells. However, in excessive amounts, this gas can also be fatal which causes death.