Aged Garlic Extract with Supplement is Associated with Beneficial Effect on Bone Mineral Density and Predicts Lack of Progression of Atherosclerosis: A Prospective Double Blinded Randomized Trial
Aged Garlic Extract with Supplement is Associated with Beneficial Effect on Bone Mineral Density and Predicts Lack of Progression of Atherosclerosis: A Prospective Double Blinded Randomized Trial
Low levels of bone-mineral-density (BMD) are independently associated with the presence and severity of coronary-arterycalcium (CAC). This study evaluates the beneficial-effects of aged-garlic-extract therapy with-supplements (AGE-S) on levels of BMD, vascular-function, inflammation and CAC. Sixty subjects, randomized to four daily capsules of placebo vs. AGE-S inclusive of aged garlic extract (1000 mg) plus VitaminB12 (400 mcg or µg), folic-acid (1200 mcg or µg), Vitamin-B6 (50 mg) and L-arginine (400 mg) underwent CAC, thoracicBMD (mg/cc), lipid-profile, lipoprotein a (Lp-a), homocysteine and vascular-function measurement at baseline and 12- months. The postcuff-deflation temperature-rebound (TR), digital-thermal-monitoring index of vascular-function was assessed using a reactive-hyperemia-procedure. At 1-year, the mean increase in CAC and decrease in BMD was significantly lower in the AGE-S as compared to the placebo (p<0.05). After adjustment for risk-factors, the risk of CAC progression and reduced BMD was 65% and 68% less in AGE-S as compared to placebo (P<0.05). From baseline to 12 months, a significant correlation was noted between increase in CAC and decreases in BMD. Similarly, a significant correlation was noted between increase in TR and decrease in homocysteine as well as increase in Lp-a with lack of decrease in BMD. The maximum beneficial effect of AGE-S was noted with increase in TR, lack of decrease in BMD and lack of progression of CAC. In conclusion, this study demonstrates AGE-S is independently associated with favorable effect on A strong direct relation between increases in vascular-function, decrease in inflammation with lack of lowering in BMD levels as well as lack of CAC-progression in response to AGE-S was noted.
