Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body: Garlic

Have you ever wondered why stories and legends are so abundant in situations when garlic protects folks from evil? These stories seem to be a tribute to garlic's therapeutic qualities, which have been known for thousands of years. If you're one of those people who dislike garlic because of its repugnant smell, read on to find out why you should reconsider your attitude.

Garlic is one of the most popular natural remedies for a wide range of diseases and infections. Let's take a look "inside" this plant to find out what nutrients it contains, and see how they influence our health.

Garlic contains a series of important vitamins. The B vitamins (mainly B1, B2, B3, B6, B9) play a very important role in the metabolism of the cells, improving cell growth. These vitamins were shown to enhance the function of the nervous system and strengthen the immune system, which helps us fight diseases and infections. Also, B vitamins help maintain healthy skin.

Vitamin C, which is found in garlic in considerable amounts, is an important nutrient for people, and a very potent antioxidant. It was shown to fight oxidative stress in cells by destroying free radicals that would otherwise damage the cell constituents. Vitamin C is involved in many physiological processes, among which is the synthesis of collagen and carnitine.

Vitamin K plays a key role in blood coagulation, and in maintaining the appropriate bone density, due to its participation in the bone mineralization processes.

Garlic is a good source of a series of minerals. Calcium is essential for life, as it helps building and maintaining healthy bones, teeth and nails. Also, calcium is required for many enzymes, as a cofactor.

Garlic is a good source of copper, zinc and iron, which are found in a variety of enzymes and are very important for their function. Iron performs many functions in the body, one of the most important being the transport of oxygen in the blood; it also supplies oxygen to muscles. Copper and zinc participate in the transport of electrons within the body. Also, they play an important antioxidant role within the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which transforms superoxide into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, thus offering cells a defense against the aggressive anion.

Magnesium and phosphorus help us keep our bones healthy and strong. Magnesium and potassium are very important for a good functioning of muscles and nervous system. Selenium is vital for a strong immune system.

The phytochemicals found in garlic are: allicin, beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, diallyl-disulfide, ferulic acid, geraniol, kaempferol, lialool, oleanolic acid, p-coumaric acid, phloroglucinol, phytic acid, quercetin, rutin, s-allyl cysteine, saponins, sinapic acid, and stigmasterol.

Due to such a rich chemical content of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, garlic exhibits a variety of health benefits. Researchers showed that garlic lowers blood pressure and helps regulating the level of blood sugar. Garlic makes the blood thinner, thus preventing the formation of blood clots and reducing the probability of thromboses. Due to its composition, garlic has significant anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties, as well as analgesic, and anesthetizing properties.

Studies suggest that garlic can be used to lower high cholesterol levels, to improve respiratory problems, and to enhance poor digestion. Also, it helps the body fight against allergies, and improves throat irritations. Garlic is known to boost the immune system and to reduce cancer risk. Garlic is widely used to treat warts, clear sinuses, stop toothaches, treat herpes and heal bites from insects.

Considering all the benefits you can get from using garlic in your daily meals, visit the following links to find some delicious "garlic" recipes:Healthy Garlic Recipes With Antiviral Power and Recipes for Health: Garlic.

Sources:
Garlic Facts Remedies and Health Benefits of Garlic
Garlic Health Benefits
http://www.gourmetgarlicgardens.com/health.htm