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 .
Effects of anethum graveolens and garlic on lipid profile in hyperlipidemic patients
Background hyperlipidemia as a major risk factor of atherosclerosis is treated with different drugs . Concerning length of therapy and vast majority of side effects , herbal medication may be suitable substitute for these drugs . Methods In this single-blind , placebo controlled study , lipid profiles of 150 hyperlipidemic patients in cardiology outpatient department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were checked at same conditions . They were divided into three equal groups r and omly ( each composing of 50 patients ) . They were given enteric-coated garlic powder tablet ( equal to 400 mg garlic , 1 mg allicin ) twice daily , anethum tablet ( 650 mg ) twice daily , and placebo tablet . All patients were put on NCEP type Π diet and Six weeks later , lipid profiles were checked . Results In garlic group : total cholesterol ( decreased by 26.82 mg/dl , 12.1 % reduction , and P-value : .000 ) , and LDL-cholesterol ( decreased by 22.18 mg/dl , 17.3 % reduction , and P-value : .000 ) dropped . HDL-cholesterol ( increased by 10.02 mg/dl , 15.7 % increase , and P-value : .000 ) increased . Although triglyceride dropped by 13.72 mg/dl ( 6.3 % ) but this was not significant statistically ( P-value : .222 ) . In anethum group : surprisingly , triglyceride increased by 14.74 mg/dl ( 6.0 % ) . Anethum could reduce total cholesterol by 0.4 % and LDL-cholesterol by 6.3 % but these were not significant statistically ( P-value : .828 , and .210 , respectively ) . Conclusion Anethum has no significant effect on lipid profile , but garlic tablet has significant favorable effect on cholesterol , LDL-cholesterol , and HDL-cholesterol . Garlic may play an important role in therapy of 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 .