Abstract:
This
study
investigated
the
effects
of
Garlic
(Allum
sativum)
on
plasma
lipid
levels,
serum
proteins
and
electrolytes
in
albino
rats.
Graded
dietary
supplementations
of garlic
viz:
0, 5, 10,
15,20,
and
25
% administered
to sixty
(60)
apparently
healthy
male
albino
rats
of the
Wistar
strain
in five
groups
of ten
(10)
rats
each.
The
Allium
was
supplemented
for
30
days
in a complete
randomized
manner.
A sixth
group
of ten
rats
served
as the
unsupplemented
control.
The
result
showed
a
significantly
(p<0.05)
decreased
plasma
lipid
(total
cholesterol)
level
in a dose
dep
endent
manner.
The
serum
albumin
was
significantly
(p<0.05)
decreased
at
20
and
25
%
supplementation
levels.
Though
there
was
an
increase
in serum
globulin
at higher
supplementation
levels,
the
increase
was
not
significant.
There
was
also
significant
(p<O.
05)
reduction
in serum
sodium
and
calcium
levels
as
the
garlic
supplementation
levels
increased.
There
was
however
no
significant
(p>0.05)
effect
on
serum
potassium
levels
in the
supplemented
groups.
This
study
reveals
that
garlic
has
an
effect
on
the
dynamics
of
plasma
lipids
and
serum
proteins,
and
key
electrolytes
concentrations.
These
investigations
infer
that
garlic
intake
has
some
desirable
effects,
but
caution
should
be
exercised
in its
consumption
to
minimize
some
possible
adverse
effects
which
may
be
associated
with
an
overdose
or excess
intake
