It doesn't look good and can bring you to tears yet the health benefits of garlic are too awesome to ignore

The health benefits of garlic range from lowering cholesterol and blood pressure to protecting people against heart disease, stroke and colds.

 Most scientists believe that a compound in garlic known as allicin is what gives garlic its healing abilities. Allicin is what gives garlic its smell. Most of the more recent research has focused on garlic’s ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and reduce the chances of heart disease or stroke. One study found that just after four weeks of taking garlic supplements cholesterol was lowered by 12 percent. In another it was found that garlic could reduce the risk of stroke by 30 or 40 percent and heart disease by 20 to 25 percent. However, all of these studies were only short-term and it is not known if these benefits last longer than three months.

Garlic taken as a health supplement has also been shown to reduce chances of catching a cold by 50 percent, and if you do catch a cold you’ll have a faster recovery. Garlic is also an antioxidant. It helps increase the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the blood stream and also helps slow the aging process in liver cells.

 The ADA or American Dietetic Association suggests that for garlic to work the average person needs between 600-900 mg or one small garlic clove per day. If you are going to cook the garlic be sure to cut or crush it into small pieces and allow it to sit at least ten minutes so that the compound allicin is able to reach its full potency.

 Garlic has a blood thinning affect so as a precaution it should not be taken within two weeks of having surgery or at the same time as anticoagulant medicines. If in doubt consult with a doctor.

Learn more about health supplements and the benefits they may have on your health.