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 .
Effect of garlic on lipid profile and psychopathologic parameters in people with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
BACKGROUND The beneficial effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutyaryl co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors on cardiovascular risk reduction has been clearly established . Concerns have been raised that lowering blood cholesterol by other hypolipidemic drugs or by a non-pharmacologic approach may have deleterious effects on psychopathologic parameters . Garlic is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies and is considered to have hypocholesterolemic as well as other cardioprotective properties . Its effect on psychopathologic parameters has never been reported . OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of garlic on lipid parameters and depression , impulsivity , hostility and temperament in patients with primary type 2 hyperlipidemia . METHODS In a 16 week prospect i ve double-blind placebo-controlled study , 33 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and no evidence of cardiovascular disease were r and omly assigned to receive either garlic or placebo . Garlic in the form of alliin 22.4 mg/day was given to 13 patients , and placebo to 20 . Both groups received individual dietary counseling . The changes in lipid profile and the various psychopathologic parameters were determined at the beginning and end of the trial . The differences in lipid parameters were evaluated by Student 's t-test . The psychological data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance ( ANOVA ) with repeated measures and Neuman-Keuls test . RESULTS No significant changes were observed in levels of total cholesterol , low density lipoprotein-cholesterol , high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides , or in the psychopathologic parameters evaluated . CONCLUSION Short-term garlic therapy in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia does not affect either lipid levels or various psychopathologic parameters
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 .