what is allicin?
Garlic, a member of the Alliaceae family, contains allicin, an organosulfur molecule.
Chester J. Cavallito and John Hays Bailey isolated and investigated it in the laboratory for the first time in 1944.
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The enzyme alliinase turns alliin into allicin, which is responsible for the aroma of fresh garlic when it is diced or crushed.
SUMMARY
WHAT IS ALLICIN?
Allicin is an unstable sulfur-containing molecule that swiftly degrades into diallyl disulfide and other sulfur-containing chemicals. Allicin is a component of the garlic plant’s defensive system against pests.
Garlic’s unique odor comes from allicin, an oily, somewhat yellow substance. It is also known as allylthiosulfinate and is a thioester of sulfenic acid.
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Both its antioxidant activity and its interaction with thiol-containing proteins are responsible for its biological activity.
Allicin is a molecule produced in garlic cells that releases a strong aroma when the garlic is sliced or cooked. It is one of the things that makes garlic smell and taste good.
History of Allicin
In the 1940s, allicin was found as part of efforts to develop thiamine derivatives, primarily in Japan. Allicin was used as a model in the development of various thiamine disulfides by medicinal chemists.
Sulbutiamine, fursultiamine (thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide), and benfothiamine were among the findings.
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These hydrophobic molecules easily move from the intestines to the bloodstream, and cysteine or glutathione reduces them to thiamine.
What is Allicin in Garlic
Allicin is a chemical that may help reduce inflammation and prevent free radicals from harming your body’s cells and tissues.
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People who eat garlic like the way it tastes and smells because of this chemical, which is one of the main active parts.
Fresh garlic contains the chemical allicin. When the clove is diced or crushed, an enzyme called alliinase is triggered. Alliin is converted to allicin by this enzyme.
Freshly crushed or chopped garlic contains only a short period of stable allicin. However, after crushing or cutting garlic, allowing it to sit for 10 minutes may help enhance its levels.
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This page will go over allicin’s potential health advantages, hazards, and side effects, as well as how to use it.
Frequently Abbreviated As
- Allicin
- Allium sativum (allium sativum)
- Garlic
Health Benefits of Allicin
Allicin may protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
It may also assist in preventing blood vessel damage by lowering your
- Blood glucose levels
- Blood pressure readings
- Cholesterol
According to some research, allicin may also help your muscles recover faster after a workout.
The chemical is also known to enhance immune health by fending off disease-causing pathogens like viruses and fungus.
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Garlic’s allicin has been proven in numerous studies to help with health in a variety of ways.
Supporting Blood vessel health.
Garlic’s allicin has been demonstrated to help blood vessel health in studies.
It may aid in the control of blood pressure (BP) and the prevention of atherosclerosis, a kind of blood vessel disease.
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People who used garlic chemicals on a regular basis cut their cholesterol levels by about 8%, according to a study of 39 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
When taken for at least two months, it also helps reduce the “bad fats” in your blood.
Adults in the study were found to have lower:
- LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is a type of cholesterol (LDL)
- Total cholesterol
These conclusions are also supported by a more recent review of studies. Eight out of nine reviews reported a significant reduction in total cholesterol. 5
Blood pressure should be reduced.
Allicin may help lower blood pressure and keep it within a healthy range, according to research.
Adults with high blood pressure who took garlic supplements had a six-point lower mean systolic blood pressure (SBP, the top number in a BP reading) than those who took a placebo (sugar pill). Their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was about nine points lower.
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These findings were backed up by a double-blind randomized controlled experiment published in 2021. For 15 weeks, adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were given either a placebo or two tablets containing 400 milligrams (mg) of garlic.
At the end of the experiment, those who took the supplements had an almost eight-point decrease in SBP and a more than the five-point decrease in DBP.
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Allicin might be able to help you manage your high blood pressure. According to research, SBP and DBP decreased by 2 to nearly 9 mm Hg.
Take Cancer Prevention Measures
The National Cancer Institute acknowledged garlic’s capacity to protect against cancer in 1990.
- Multiple studies have since revealed that allicin and other active garlic components may protect against some malignancies and prevent cancer cells from spreading. 9
Its role in the fight against malignancies of the 10 has been studied.
- Breast
- Colon
- Liver
- The neck and head
- Ovaries
- Pancreas
- Prostate
- Skin
Possible Negative Consequences of Allicin:
Allicin consumption has been linked to a small number of negative effects and health hazards. Before adding it to your routine, talk to your doctor about how it might fit into your treatment plan.
Examine how the substance might affect your health or interact with any medications or health aids you’re using, such as:
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications (OTC)
- Supplements for the diet
- Plants with medicinal properties
- Aromatherapy oils
There are a few risks to taking allicin supplements that you should be aware of.
Issues with the digestive system
The substance may create problems such as:
- Belching
- Gas
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Heartburn
It’s possible that taking it with food will help lessen or prevent these issues.
Bleeding
Allicin has been linked to an increased risk of bleeding. There are many chemicals found in garlic that keep your blood from clotting. This one, along with other chemicals in garlic, stops blood from clotting.
If you also use a blood thinner, such as warfarin, or other herbal or OTC medicines that can thin your blood, consult your doctor.
- Aspirin
- Ginkgo biloba
- Vitamin E
If you are having surgery or another treatment, your doctor may advise you to avoid garlic and products containing its constituents for a period of time before the procedure.
Precautions and Drug Interactions
If you have high blood pressure or diabetes and take medications to control them, see your doctor before trying allicin. If you take allicin at the same time, your blood pressure or blood sugar levels may drop too low.
It is unknown whether the chemical is safe to use for:
- Women who are expecting to have a child
- Mothers who are breastfeeding
- Children
There are few documented negative effects or health hazards associated with allicin. Digestive problems and the danger of bleeding are two examples.
Before using Allicin, check with your doctor if you have children, are pregnant or nursing, or have any medical issues.
Preparation and Dosage
Allicin products come in pill or tablet form, and the label may say garlic or allicin. They can also be found as a powder, oil, or extract.
The chemical does not have a defined dosage. The dosage varies depending on your health demands and the product in question. In general, it’s advisable to stick to the label’s guidelines.
The allicin content of a single garlic clove ranges from 5 to 18 mg. The most common doses utilized in studies are 300 mg to 1,500 mg.
Higher daily doses are frequently split into many doses throughout the day. Some of the digestive adverse effects may be reduced by breaking up doses.
Make sure you chat with your doctor about the best dose for you.
What to Watch Out For
Tablets and garlic enzymes might be dissolved by stomach acids before they have a chance to act.
There were no more benefits to enteric-coated tablets in a study of garlic and allicin supplements in 2018. The tablets were not more bioavailable than uncoated tablets.
When garlic powder supplements are taken with a meal, allicin from crushed garlic is as bioavailable as allicin from the same amount of crushed garlic.
Because the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, their quality and strength can vary.
Check to see if the product has been certified by one or more of the following organizations:
- Testing Laboratories for Consumers
- Pharmacopeia of the United States
- National Science Foundation International (NSF)
Summary
One of the key active chemicals obtained from garlic is allicin. It may aid in the prevention of certain cancers as well as the reduction of blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
It may aid in the recovery of your muscles after exercise and protect you from infections.
Supplements containing allicin pose minor dangers. It could upset your stomach and make you more prone to bleeding. Its safety for youngsters, pregnant or breastfeeding women is unknown.
If you’re thinking about taking allicin supplements, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if they’re safe and effective for you.
