Garlic reduces TC to a modest extent , an effect driven mostly by the modest reductions in TAG , without appreciable LDL lowering or HDL elevation .
Higher baseline line TC levels and the use of dietary modification may alter the effect of garlic on these parameters .
In order to determine the impact of  garlic on total cholesterol ( TC ) , TAG levels , as well as LDL and HDL  , and establish if any variables have an impact on the magnitude of this effect , a meta- analysis was conducted .
No effect of garlic extract supplement on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE The authors assessed the effects of an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet st and ardized for allicin-releasing potential on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects . SUBJECTS AND METHOD The authors performed a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial in 136 hypercholesterolemic subjects ( cholesterol concentrations > or = 5.2 mmol/L ; mean age + /- SD : 47.0 + /- 6.6 yr ) . All subjects were given dietary advice to lower fat intake within 4 weeks and were advised to eat normally during the study period . The subjects were r and omly assigned to receive an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet once daily ( st and ardized to 1.12 % allicin or 5.6 mg/tablet ) , or placebo after the evening meal for 12 weeks .  Seventy subjects ( 32.9 % male ; mean age + /- SD and BMI of 47.0 + /- 6.6 yr and 24.6 + /- 3.3 kg/m2 ) received the garlic extract treatment while 66 subjects ( 37.9 % male , mean age + /- SD and BMI of 47.0 + /- 6.0 yr and 24.3 + /- 3.4 kg/m2 ) received placebo . RESULTS There were no statistically significant changes in serum total cholesterol , triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol after the 12-week treatment as analyzed on repeated measures by analysis of variance . In addition , no changes in plasma glucose , liver and renal functions were found . CONCLUSIONS Treatment with an enteric garlic-coated Thai garlic extract and dietary advice did not produce any significant changes in lipid levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia
Garlic reduces TC to a modest extent , an effect driven mostly by the modest reductions in TAG , without appreciable LDL lowering or HDL elevation .
Higher baseline line TC levels and the use of dietary modification may alter the effect of garlic on these parameters .
In order to determine the impact of  garlic on total cholesterol ( TC ) , TAG levels , as well as LDL and HDL  , and establish if any variables have an impact on the magnitude of this effect , a meta- analysis was conducted .