Garlic Extract
- Effective dose
- 600–1200 mg
- Evidence
- 4/5· Strong
Last updated June 1, 2026
What it is
Garlic extract is a concentrated supplement made from Allium sativum, most commonly sold as aged garlic extract standardized to S-allylcysteine. Sulfur compounds in garlic relax blood vessels and influence cholesterol metabolism. It is used mainly as an adjunct for blood pressure and lipid support.
Benefits
Pooled trials of aged garlic extract show modest reductions in systolic blood pressure (about 2.5 mmHg) and LDL cholesterol (about 4 mg/dL), with significant effects generally seen at roughly 1,200 mg/day or more. Effects are larger in people with elevated baseline blood pressure or cholesterol.
When to take it
Usually taken daily with food, split into one or two doses. Effects on blood pressure and lipids build over weeks to a few months of consistent use.
Side effects
Common effects are breath/body odor, heartburn, and mild gastrointestinal upset. Garlic can have antiplatelet (blood-thinning) effects, so it may increase bleeding risk with anticoagulants such as warfarin and should typically be stopped before surgery (note: aged garlic extract specifically has not increased bleeding in studied patients); it may also reduce levels of some HIV medications.
Sources
Products containing Garlic Extract
No products in our database contain this ingredient yet.