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 .
On the effect of garlic on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in mild hypercholesterolaemia.
The ingestion of garlic has been reported to have many cardiovascular effects , including a reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration and the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation . A double-blind , placebo-controlled , r and omised crossover study was conducted in subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia who were subject to strict dietary supervision and assessment . After a baseline dietary period of 28 days , subjects took Kwai garlic powder tablets 300 mg three times daily or matching placebo for 12 weeks , followed by 28 days washout , followed by a 12 weeks crossover on the alternative preparation . In the analysis hypercholesterolaemia was defined as those subjects in the range 5.5 - 8.05 mmol/l . Three subjects were withdrawn , one allocated to garlic and complaining of garlic body odour , one using placebo having intercurrent health problems , and one with a baseline cholesterol below 5.5 mmol/l , yielding analysable results in 28 subjects . Comparing the period on garlic with that on placebo , there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol , LDL cholesterol , HDL cholesterol , plasma triglycerides , lipoprotein(a ) concentrations , or blood pressure . Mean LDL cholesterol concentration was 4.64 + /- 0.52 mmol/l on garlic and 4.60 + /- 0.59 mmol/l on placebo . There was no demonstrable effect of garlic on oxidisability of LDL , on the ratio of plasma lathosterol/cholesterol ( a measure of cholesterol synthesis ) , nor on LDL receptor expression in lymphocytes . This study found no demonstrable effect of garlic ingestion on lipids and lipoproteins
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 .