Thread by @Outdoctrination

A new study shows that a 1/3 of a clove of garlic reduces insulin resistance and even induces weight loss.

(and no, it's not just a correlation)

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The study was published on August 6, in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition.

Researchers examined women with PCOS and insulin resistance, two conditions known to often go hand in hand.

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Women in the study had no other medical conditions.

They had no prior garlic consumption.

The study was for 8 weeks.

Garlic was administered as a tablet, with a 2-3 mg allicin content, which is the major bioactive compound in garlic.

This amount is equivalent to ~1/3 of a clove, chopped, if it is allowed to sit out for 10-30 mins.

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Those consuming the garlic improved in nearly every metric.

Weight (~10 lbs)↓
Waist circumference ↓
Hip circumference ↓
BMI ↓
Fasting blood sugar ↓
Triglycerides ↓
LDL ↓
Total cholesterol ↓
Blood pressure↓
CRP (inflammation)↓
SHBG ↓

While those receiving placebo tend to worsen

No other changes in diet or exercise. Just this tiny amount of garlic.

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Women's PCOS symptoms also dramatically improved - resulting in a much higher quality of life index.

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Why is garlic so helpful for insulin resistance?

Garlic as I said contains Allicin, a sulfur containing compound with various protective effects.

Allicin:

◇ Is a direct antioxidant
◇ Inhibits cell death receptors
◇ Inhibits NADPH oxidase - a major source of endogenous free radicals
◇ Blocks the TLR4 receptor - one of the main cell receptors that drives inflammation
◇ Downregulates CAMKII - which also contributes to inflammation
◇ Is a selective antimicrobial, killing pathogenic bacteria / fungi while increasing good ones

All of this means that garlic itself has powerful abilities to preserve insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation, as all of these pathways are vital in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.

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