TY  - BOOK
AU  - Lim,Maricar  G.
TI  - Effects of garlic on total serum cholesterol : : A meta-analysis 
KW  - Garlic
KW  - Cholesterol
KW  - Meta-Analysis
N2  - Objectives: To investigate the effect of garlic on total cholesterol levels by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials.

Search strategy: Systematic literature searches were conducted on the MEDL1NE, OVID, the Cochrane Library, AMED and CINAHL databases and assessment of the bibliographies of published studies and reviews was done.

Selection criteria: Trials were selected if they were randomized and placebo-controlled and provide enough data to statistical pooling. Five of 25 studies were selected for the meta-analysis.

Data collection and Analysis: Details of study design, patient characteristics, intervention, duration of therapy and cholesterol measurements were extracted by one author. Analysis was done with the calculation of the weighted mean difference and chi square test using standard meta-analysis software (RevMan 4.2.3).

Mean results: In the five trials included in the meta-analysis, garlic reduced total cholesterol level from baseline significantly more than placebo; the weighted mean difference was -0.14 mmol/L (CI, 0.20 to -0.08). Heterogeneity was noted in our analysis therefore a separate analysis of studies using garlic tablets was done and revealed greater reduction of total serum cholesterol; weighted mean difference of-0.48 (95 percent CI, -0.61 to -0.35). Another analysis was done for trials with hypercholesterolemic subjects and showed significant total cholesterol improvement; weighted mean difference of-0.39 (95 percent CI, -0.49 to -0.29).

Conclusions: The result of this meta-analysis submits that garlic is significantly superior to placebo in lowering total cholesterol levels. The reduction of cholesterol level is modest and comparable to dietary interventions. Except for body odor, there are no studies demonstrating detrimental effects of garlic consumption. Therefore, with its other cardiovascular and health benefits, garlic is a reasonable alternative to lipid lowering drugs
ER  -