What does fact checked mean?
At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Institutes of Health: Prostatic Diseases
- Cancer Prevention Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Suppresses X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein in Prostate Cancer Cells in Culture and In Vivo
- Cancer Prevention Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Suppresses X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein in Prostate Cancer Cells in Culture and In Vivo
- Cancer Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Prevents Development of Poorly-Differentiated Prostate Cancer and Pulmonary Metastasis Multiplicity in TRAMP Mice
- Cancer Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Prevents Development of Poorly-Differentiated Prostate Cancer and Pulmonary Metastasis Multiplicity in TRAMP Mice
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Garlic & the Prostate Gland
Garlic is well-known as a flavoring for food. Although its effectiveness is not yet proven, it has also been used medicinally for a variety of conditions, including respiratory ailments and digestion problems. It is also used to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, prevent cancer, enhance the immune system and manage prostate problems. As with any herb, consult with your doctor before taking garlic for prostate conditions or any other medicinal use.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
About the Prostate
The prostate is a small gland in men that is located around the neck of the bladder and urethra, or the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of your body for excreting urine. The prostate contributes some fluid to semen -- the fluid that contains sperm during ejaculation. With age, the prostate can become enlarged, causing pressure on your urethra and symptoms such as frequent urges to urinate. The enlargement can be cancerous or non-cancerous, called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
- The prostate is a small gland in men that is located around the neck of the bladder and urethra, or the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of your body for excreting urine.
Function
Garlic for Weight Loss
Learn More
Garlic may have properties that work to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Garlic contains an odorless substance called alliin that changes to another compound, allicin, when garlic cloves are crushed. Allicin is the main active substance that is responsible for garlic’s odor and health benefits. Because allicin is poorly absorbed, garlic is aged to remove odor and gasiness.
- Garlic may have properties that work to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
- Because allicin is poorly absorbed, garlic is aged to remove odor and gasiness.
Effectiveness
Preliminary scientific evidence suggests that garlic may be helpful for preventing urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate. A study published in "Nutrition Research" in 2003, showed that men with BPH or prostate cancer who took aged garlic by mouth had significant improvement in urinary symptoms, such as enhanced urinary flow and decreased urinary frequency, after one month of treatment. While the size of the prostate gland was reduced in the BPH group, this did not occur in those with prostate cancer.
Preparations and Dosage
Does Garlic Cause Indigestion?
Learn More
You can buy garlic supplements as dried or freeze-dried garlic, garlic oil and aged garlic extracts. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports daily doses of whole garlic as 2 to 4 g, or about two to four cloves 1. Aged garlic extract is taken in divided doses of 600 to 1,200 mg per day. Freeze-dried garlic is taken in 400 mg tablets that are standardized to 1.3 percent alliin or 0.6 percent allicin, three times daily.
- You can buy garlic supplements as dried or freeze-dried garlic, garlic oil and aged garlic extracts.
- Freeze-dried garlic is taken in 400 mg tablets that are standardized to 1.3 percent alliin or 0.6 percent allicin, three times daily.
Related Articles
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Garlic
- National Institutes of Health: Prostatic Diseases
- Cancer Prevention Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Suppresses X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein in Prostate Cancer Cells in Culture and In Vivo
- Cancer Research: Garlic Constituent Diallyl Trisulfide Prevents Development of Poorly-Differentiated Prostate Cancer and Pulmonary Metastasis Multiplicity in TRAMP Mice
- Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2014;4(1):1-14.
- Garlic. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- Garlic. Penn State Hershey. Milton. S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Garlic. Herbal Safety. UT El Paso / Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program & Paso del Norte Health Foundation.
- Garlic. Therapeutic Research Center. Natural Medicines Database.
- Garlic. National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
- Garlic. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. About Herbs, Botanicals, and Other Products.
- Garlic. Michigan Medicine. University of Michigan.
Resources
Writer Bio
Diana Kaniecki has been writing health-related articles since 1991. Her work has appeared in peer-reviewed health journals including the "American Journal of Cardiology," "Chest" and "Pharmacoeconomics." She also develops health technology products for wellness and chronic illness self-management. Kaniecki received her Doctor of Clinical Pharmacy from St. Johns University.