Monday, October 23, 2006

Why Garlic May Be Able to Help You Be Healthier

Garlic packs a powerful health punch! This is not a secret
but a well-known fact. Garlic's health benefits have not
just recently been discovered, but they've been known for
centuries.

Way back in the history of China, the Chinese were well
aware of the ability of the lowly garlic bulb to promote
healing. Colonial American settlers also knew about these
health benefits. In fact, from just about the dawn of
civilization garlic has been highly regarded as a disease
fighter. And this knowledge has been widespread throughout
many different cultures.

You probably know that the builders of the great pyramid of
Giza were garlic- eating slaves. And that was way back in
3000 B.C. The Bible tells us that the early Hebrews loved
to eat garlic. Garlic was one of the things they missed
the most after their exodus from Egypt. This fact is
recorded in the book of numbers:

"We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely,
the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leaks and the
onions, and the garlic."

Although it's true that the nobility were not fond of
garlic and actually avoided it, that was not true of Roman
soldiers. They regularly ate garlic. One of the most
famous ancient poets, Virgil, advised that reapers should
eat garlic since they labored under the hot sun.

So by now it should be no surprise to you that garlic has
been used to promote health for thousands of years and in
many places around the world.

Today many people are convinced the common cold can be
helped by eating garlic and even cancer can be fought
against by eating garlic. A number of researchers believe
that garlic can even relieve symptoms of rheumatism, high
blood pressure, and even tuberculosis.

Scientists today, like the health professionals in ancient
cultures, really are convinced garlic can enhance your
health.

So far research in our day and age reveals cancer and
bacterial infections can be fought against by eating the
humble garlic bulb. Let's add fungal infections to that
list as well. And as for stomach cancer, it's been found
that there are substances in garlic that block cancers in
animals used for laboratory research.

What is the name of the mysterious substance found in
garlic that can fight cancer? It's called allicin. It's
also the substance that accounts for garlic's unmistakable
flavor.

What else can garlic do that hasn't already been mentioned
in this article? Your immune system may be strengthened if
you eat garlic. Your cholesterol may be lowered if you eat
garlic as well. And eating garlic may just be able to
protect your heart.

Dr. Benjamin Lau has been the professor of microbiology and
immunology at Loma Linda University in Southern California.
He has specialized in researching chemicals found in
plants and he's done his research for over 20 years.

He discovered garlic can help your immune system, lower
your cholesterol, and wage war against cancer and other
tumors.

He isn't the only one who has been researching the benefits
for your health that can come from eating garlic. Other
research groups have also discovered similar findings.

Garlic is offered in a number of different forms. You
might not want to eat it fresh. You might prefer to take
it in tablet form instead. But in whatever form garlic is
ingested, it can help your health.

Since garlic is a proven health benefactor, why not add it
to your diet and see if you don't become healthier.

Learn how garlic can help your health at
http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com/garlic.htm -- Read more
healthy food tips from Patricia Wagner at
http://www.a-to-z-wellness.com/healthy-foods.htm