CoQ10, Garlic and Atherosclerosis

In a new study, researchers recruited 65 middle-aged men with CAC scores of 10 or more. CAC is a “coronary artery calcium” scan. A score of 10 suggests mild to moderate plaque build-up.

For one year, researchers gave the men a placebo, or a combination of CoQ10 and garlic extract. Results showed that C-reactive protein (CRP) went up in the placebo group, and down in the intervention arm.

As I’ve mentioned before, CRP is an inflammation marker. Inflammation is one of the key players in plaque build-up.

Ready for the kicker? Arterial plaque progression was FOUR TIMES higher with placebo compared to the intervention group.

Just imagine if a drug could do that. Drug executives would kill for a product that could get those results.

Too bad for them. They’ll have to rely on natural treatments like the rest of us.

CoQ10, of course, is the super-antioxidant that repairs free-radical damage to the heart muscle. And alternative doctors have known about the heart-health benefits of garlic for eons.

More recently, research shows that red blood cells convert garlic components into a molecule that REDUCES inflammation.

Sources:

“Aged garlic extract and coenzyme Q10 have favorable effect on inflammatory markers and coronary atherosclerosis progression: A randomized clinical trial” Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Vol. 3, No. 3, July- September 2012, jcdronline.com