title: Reduction of blood lipid parameters by a 12-wk supplementation of aged black garlic: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cholesterol-lowering effects of garlic as part of a healthy diet remain controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether supplementation with aged black garlic (ABG) could improve blood lipid profiles in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to receive either ABG or placebo twice daily (total 6 g/d) before consumption of a meal every morning and evening for 12 wk. During the study, two participants dropped out of the ABG group, and three participants dropped out of the placebo group. Thus, the effects of AGB on fasting blood levels of lipids were evaluated in 28 participants and compared with the placebo group (n = 27).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among lipid components, no significant differences in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, or free fatty acid levels were observed between the two groups. However, ABG increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the placebo group at the end of the study. Moreover, a significant decrease in the levels of alipoprotein B and a significant increase in the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/alipoprotein B were observed in the ABG group. No adverse effects were reported in any of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ABG supplementation reduced atherogenic markers and thus may have a cardioprotective effect beyond the gold standard medication in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia.
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Soo
authors: ES
authors: Jung
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Soo-Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Park
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Eun-Kyung
authors: EK
authors: Choi
authors: Doul Farming Corporation, Namhae Gohyun Chamyeon, Kyungnam, Republic of Korea.
authors: Beun-Ho
authors: BH
authors: Ryu
authors: Department of Biochemistry, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Byung-Hyun
authors: BH
authors: Park
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dal-Sik
authors: DS
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea.
authors: Young-Gon
authors: YG
authors: Kim
authors: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmacology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors: Soo-Wan
authors: SW
authors: Chae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D028321:Plant Preparations; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: Aqueous extraction; Atherogenic marker; Cholesterol; Clinical trial; Garlic