Garlic preparations for prevention of atherosclerosis

On the basis of a number of new rigorously designed controlled studies, the re is increasingly less evidence for lipid lowering properties of garlic pr eparations. Many other aspects of garlic drugs, such as direct effects on v essel walls (aortic elasticity, effects of antioxidant properties on early steps in atherosclerosis formation) or anti-platelet aggregation effects, a re still awaiting further elucidation in clinical studies. Curr Opin Lipido l 9:565-569. (C) 1998 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.