What Is Allicin?

 What Is Allicin?

Allicin is derived from garlic. 

Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound. 

Allicin is a compound that may help ease inflammation and block free radicals, unstable molecules that harm cells and tissues in your body. Research suggests the compound may also help lower cholesterol, prevent bacterial infections, and support cancer prevention.

Allicin is derived from garlic. Specifically, it's formed when garlic is crushed or chopped, which activates the enzyme alliinase that converts the compound alliin into allicin. Allicin is primarily responsible for garlic's distinct aroma, along with many of the health benefits attributed to it.

Uses of Allicin

Many studies have shown that the allicin in garlic may support health in various ways. Here's a look at some of the more compelling evidence.

Cholesterol

A review of 39 randomized controlled trials (a study that randomly assigns participants to experimental and control groups) found that regular use of compounds in garlic lowered people's cholesterol levels by about 8%.

In general, adults in the study with slightly elevated cholesterol levels—above 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)—who took garlic for at least two months had lower:

● Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), considered "bad cholesterol"

● Total cholesterol

A 2016 review of studies also supports these findings. The results of eight of nine reviews found a marked decrease in total cholesterol.  Lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels (when they're elevated) helps reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Allicin in garlic is thought to improve cardiovascular health by preventing blood vessel damage, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Blood Pressure

Research suggests that allicin may help lower blood pressure and keep it within a healthy range. 

In adults with high blood pressure who took garlic supplements, the mean systolic blood pressure (the top number in a blood pressure reading) was around 8 points lower than those who took a placebo (sugar pill). Their diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) was about 5 points lower.

A 2019 review explains that allicin in garlic may lower blood pressure by limiting the production of angiotensin II (a hormone that increases pressure) and by relaxing blood vessels which allows blood to flow more easily.

Cancer

In 1990, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) praised garlic for its ability to guard against cancer. Since then, multiple preclinical studies have shown that allicin and other active garlic compounds may shield against some cancers and keep cancer cells from spreading.

Research has explored its role against the following cancers:

 ● Breast

 ● Colon

 ● Liver

 ● Head and neck

 ● Ovaries

 ● Pancreas

 ● Prostate

 ● Skin

Allicin is a sulfur-containing compound. The role of sulfur compounds is being studied in the prevention of colon cancer, as well as in slowing the progression of colon cancer. Sulfur compounds are thought to positively affect the gut microbiota and intestinal lining, as well as disrupt cancer cell growth.

It's important to note that most of these studies were done on animal models or cells in a test tube. Robust human trials are needed to learn more about allicin's effects on cancer.

The NCI does not recommend taking garlic supplements to prevent cancer.

Infection

Garlic is a natural antibiotic whose use has been documented since the 1300s. Allicin is the compound responsible for garlic's ability to fight illness. It's considered broad-spectrum, meaning it's able to target the two main types of bacteria that cause disease.

Allicin also seems to enhance the effect of other antibiotics. Because of this, it may help combat antibiotic resistance, which happens when, over time, bacteria do not respond to medicines meant to kill them.

Other Uses

In addition to the potential health benefits listed above, some people use allicin to help muscle recovery after a workout.

What Are the Side Effects of Allicin?

Your healthcare provider may recommend you take allicin to help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol or for other conditions. Allicin has some side effects to be aware of, and these may be common or severe.

Common Side Effects

Allicin causes a garlic odor or breath in about one in three people who use it.

High doses may also cause digestive issues, such as:

Belching

Gas

Nausea

Diarrhea

Heartburn

These side effects may be more common with raw garlic than with supplements. Taking allicin with food may help limit or prevent these problems.

Severe Side Effects

Skin blisters and burns have been reported with raw garlic topical application (on the skin). High doses may cause liver damage.

Precautions

It is not known whether it is safe to take garlic supplements for:

Pregnant women

Nursing parents, although limited data suggests that supplementing for a few days is unlikely to cause harm other than potentially mild digestive issues in the nursing infant.

Children, but use is cautioned against in babies under 10 months old.

Garlic may cause allergies and shouldn't be taken if you are allergic to plants in the lily family, including:

Hyacinth

Tulip

Onion

Leeks

Chives

If you are due to have surgery or another procedure, your healthcare provider may recommend that you avoid garlic and products with its compounds for seven to 10 days beforehand. This is because garlic can increase the risk of bleeding.