Integrative Health Blog

The Power of Garlic, a Detoxification Super Food

Posted by NIHA Staff on Mon, Aug 08, 2011

garlic for detoxification

Detoxification, or the process of removing the unneeded “bad stuff” from the body, is a key component to health and longevity.

Living in the modern world, we are exposed daily to a variety of chemicals and substances that are not beneficial to the body, and may be harmful.  Pesticides, chemicals and radiation can be found in air, water, food, personal care products, cleaning products and more. Home and work environments are air-tight and filled with wireless tvs, computers, cell phones, routers and smart meters. Technology changes so rapidly that we are not able to assess the long term effects of all this exposure to the human body.

However, there are many foods, herbs and drugs that are in the arsenal of a holistic patient and their doctor’s tool kit to help the body detoxify in a natural manner. Garlic is one of the most important! This ancient food has been used for years to increase longevity. Garlic has so many benefits that it truly ranks as one of the most important super-foods.

The Major Benefits of Garlic

  1. Garlic is a Super Detoxifier

    Garlic is a super detox food which supports many liver enzymes, the body’s manufacturing of glutathione. and other factors critical for detoxification including multiple sulfur compounds and bio-active selenium.

  2. Garlic is a Broad spectrum Anti-Microbial

    Garlic is the most effective broad spectrum anti-microbial agent possessing 39 different anti-fungal, bacterial, parasitic and viral agents!

There are two dosages and strategies for garlic and detox. For its detox support role in adults, garlic once a day will suffice; to be most effective in reducing the “bad bugs”, garlic 2-3 times a day is recommended (keeping the blood levels up). As always, check with your physician prior to starting any new supplement.

What Kind of Garlic Should I Take?

Organic Freeze Dried Garlic

It important to use organic freeze dried garlic and here is why:

The anti-microbial components in garlic have a short shelf life of about 14 days and freeze drying organic garlic preserves the potency. However, it must be reconstituted by opening up the capsules in water before ingesting. Non-organic garlic may absorb the toxic pesticides. Fresh garlic is delicious and beneficial and should be incorporated into cooking, but you would have to eat about 8 fresh garlic cloves to get the same benefits as 1 capsule of  freeze dried.

How much garlic should I take?

Start with 1 capsule and build up slowly to a level suggested by your doctor. Alternatively, you may eat garlic until you reek- then back off so that you are more socially acceptable. Usually 1-2 capsules (per dosing) will be sufficient.

For more on the benefits of overall detoxification process and therapies, please see the Detoxification section of our website.  

Related Information

Video: Why You Must Detox!

 

 

Topics: garlic, detoxification, nutritional supplements