Last updated: 15 April 2020 21:00 EST by Frank Cusimano
Summary
Garlic is popularly believed to be a multifunctional remedy and useful in the prevention or treatment of the common cold and other bacterial and viral infections. Existing data and a Cochrane meta-analysis for the use of garlic against the common cold in humans, shows there is not enough evidence to support the use of garlic for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus. The bioactive compound, allicin, found in garlic, is unlikely to play any role in the COVID-19 disease process.
Background
Garlic is popularly believed to be a multifunctional remedy and useful in the prevention or treatment of the common cold and other bacterial and viral infections. But what exactly does the science say? With the recent pandemic, I looked up the science of garlic to see if there was any prevention or therapeutic potential. What I found, was not what I expected. Garlic or garlic extract (Allicin) will not prevent infection with SARS-CoV2 or treat the disease COVID-19.
Science
After looking up VitC, VitD, Zinc, Elderberry, I was optimistic. Surprisingly, there is very little clinical or reputable research on garlic. Garlic, accurately known as Allium sativum, contains the compounds: diallyl, thiosulfinate (Allicin), allyl methyl thisulfinate, methyl allyl thiosulfinate, ajoene, alliin, deoxyalliin, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide. Of these, Allicin is considered the most bioactive and is found in supplements of garlic extract. Despite Allicin’s popularity, research has been inconsistent and at concentrations high enough to be anti-viral in-vivo, it also kills human immortalized cells .
When it comes to physiological affects of Allicin, Cochrane has done an extensive review of the affects of garlic on the common cold. Of the eight clinical studies that have been completed, only one of the studies meets the quality standards for clinical applicability. The downside was it was not a blinded study and participants selectively reported their results . That being said, the common cold is very different than COVID-19.
In looking at garlic for sepsis, septic shock, and ARDS, there are two papers that discussed this in Mice. Ironically thought, their results found that mice who were septic who were given IP allicin, had reduced chance of developing sepsis-induced acute lung injury. There is nothing to imply that those with lung damage from SARS-CoV2 infection would have reduced chances of developing sepsis or ARDS with allicin supplementation .
In mice infected with parasites, garlic increases the inflammatory response, namely the cytokines IFN-y, TNF, and increased number of CD4+T cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages . If you read previous posts on the cytokine storm in severe COVID-19, you will know that in fighting coronavirus, we do not want to increase the pro-inflammatory immune response.
Lastly, there has been some additional research on the use of aged garlic extract, which is notably higher in different organosulfur components and flavonoids. Research is limited, but future research may show aged garlic beneficial for oxidant-induced disease reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and aging, although a lot more research is needed for those claims .
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Disclaimer: Opinions on this site or on social media do not reflect that of my institutions. I do not provide medical advice. If you have a medical question please see your doctor or if you have a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room.. I have a PhD in Nutrition and Metabolic Biology and three masters degrees including two master’s in nutrition & metabolism. I am a personal trainer & have researched nutrition for 12 years. The info I post is my interpretation of the medical and scientific literature.
