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Garlic Supplements Review

Find the Best Garlic Supplements.

CL Tests Reveal Big Differences in Garlic Strength -- Some Have Little to No Garlic!

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Initially Posted: 06/26/2020 | Last Updated: 02/02/2021
Garlic Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

Alphabetical list of garlic supplement brands compared in this review

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AlliMax Allicin

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Garlique

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Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract Extra Strength Reserve

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Life Extension Optimized Garlic

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Nature's Way Garlinase 5,000

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Solgar Garlic Powder 500 mg

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Spring Valley Garlic 1,000 mg

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Swanson Best Galric Odor-Controlled Garlic

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The Vitamin Shoppe Aged Garlic Extract

Make sure you use a garlic supplement that passed our tests and is right for you!  Isn't your health worth it?

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Summary

  • What did ConsumerLab find in garlic supplements? One widely sold garlic supplement appeared to contain little or no garlic, based on finding no detectable amounts of the garlic compounds allicin, alliin (a precursor to allicin that's most abundant in raw garlic), and SAC (a derivative of allicin). In contrast, all others had significant amounts, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 40,000 mcg of total allicin (including a portion of alliin) and from 27 to 12,900 mcg of SAC per daily serving. Interestingly, some of the products that were not labeled as aged garlic had higher amounts of SAC than the aged garlic supplements. None of the supplements exceeded acceptable limits of contamination with lead, cadmium, or arsenic, and products claiming to be enteric-coated were found to live up to this claim.
  • Which are the best garlic supplements? ConsumerLab selected three garlic supplements as Top Picks based on their total allicin and/or SAC levels, overall quality, and value.
  • What does garlic do? Health benefits of garlic include modest reductions in cholesterol levels (by reducing triglycerides) and blood pressure. It may also slightly reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and may help prevent colds, but garlic does not help treat an existing cold. Preliminary evidence suggests garlic may have some protective role with regard to gastric cancer in limited situations (See What It Is).
  • Does garlic have side effects? Other than bad breath (which is a problem with fresh garlic, garlic powders, and some extracts but not a problem with aged garlic and some odor-controlled garlic), the most common side effect of garlic supplements is gastrointestinal upset. These and other side effects, as well as potential drug interactions, are discussed in the Concerns and Cautions section.
You must be a member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for nine garlic supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com and two others that passed testing in its voluntary Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
  • Which garlic supplements failed or passed our tests and why.
  • CL's Top Picks, representing the best garlic garlic supplements based on amounts of garlic compounds, overall quality, and value
  • Amounts of key garlic compounds allicin, alliin and/or S-allylcysteine (SAC) found in each product
  • The clinical evidence for garlic supplementation for reducing cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure
  • The different forms of garlic in supplements, including non aged and aged garlic, garlic powder and dried garlic, garlic extracts, garlic oil and black garlic
  • Amounts of key garlic compounds in fresh garlic and garlic cloves and how these compare to supplements
  • Garlic supplement side-effects, drug interactions, and cautions  

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Latest Clinical Research Updates for Garlic Supplements

Garlic-Induced Burns

Be aware that garlic applied to the skin may cause severe burns, and dozens of cases have been reported. Find out which form of garlic and type of skin application is particularly dangerous in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Garlic Supplements Review.

Can Garlic Slow Atherosclerosis?

Can taking a garlic supplement slow the build-up of plaque in arteries? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of the Garlic Supplements Review. Also see our top choices for garlic supplements.

Garlic and Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, a particular garlic supplement may provide some benefit, according to a recent study. For details, see the "What It Does" section of the Garlic Supplements Review. Also see our top choices for garlic supplements.

Does Garlic Lower Cholesterol?

Garlic can lower total cholesterol but not by lowering so called "bad" or LDL cholesterol, according to a recent analysis. Find out more in the update to the Garlic Supplements Review, which includes our tests of garlic supplements and information on dosing. More >>

Related CL Answers (13)

Garlic to Lower Cholesterol -- garlic cloves and pills

Does garlic lower cholesterol?

Does garlic lower cholesterol? Learn more about the link between garlic, garlic supplements and cholesterol.
Supplements to stop before surgery - operating room

What supplements should I stop taking before surgery?

Info on which supplements to avoid before surgery due to increased risk of bleeding or interference with anesthesia.

Are enteric coated supplements better than non-enteric coated ones?

Learn about the pros and cons of enterically coated supplements, including ingredient absorption,safety and price.

Which supplements can help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy? Are there any to avoid?

Information about heart health supplements & vitamins that help with cholesterol, including sterol esters, CoQ10, and vitamin D, and which may be bad for the heart, like calcium.
Warfarin Supplement Interactions -- bottle of pink warfarin tablets

I take warfarin (Coumadin), an anticoagulant drug. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug?

Find out which supplements should be avoided when taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) like warfarin (Coumadin), including vitamin K, St. John's wort, and curcumin.

I have been having dizziness for the past few months and am wondering if it could be a side effect of supplements I take. Which supplements cause dizziness?

Find out which supplements that may cause dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance, including garlic, melatonin, saw palmetto, and red yeast rice.
Supplements for Flu -- women with the flu sitting on couch with tissues, thermometer, warm drink

Do any supplements help for flu?

Which supplements may help prevent or reduce symptoms of colds or the flu, including vitamin D, ginseng, NAC, and elderberry.

I have low blood pressure. Are there any supplements I should avoid?

Find out which supplements can cause decreases in blood pressure, including melatonin, arginine, magnesium, and calcium.
Supplements that can lower, or raise blood pressure -- blood pressure cuff and bottle of pills

Which supplements can help to lower blood pressure?

Supplements to lower blood pressure, including CoQ10, vitamin C, fish oil, and olive oil, are all explored to find out what works.

What are the most common, potentially dangerous interactions between supplements and drugs?

Info on the most common, potentially dangerous, interactions between drugs & supplements, including Lisinopril interactions and others.
Supplements to Lower Triglyceride Levels -- fish oil capsules and stethoscope

Which supplements can help lower my triglycerides?

Find out whether fish oil supplements, or plant-based oil supplements, such as flaxseed oil and echium oil are best for lowering triglyceride levels. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.
Black Garlic Health Benefits -- black garlic cloves up close

What are the health benefits of black garlic?

Find out if black garlic can lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation or has anti-cancer properties, plus how it compares to fresh garlic and other garlic supplements.
Supplements for Coronavirus (COVID-19)? -- mask and pills

Do any supplements help with the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Do supplements like vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, or herbals work?

Find out if natural remedies & supplements for coronavirus such as zinc, vitamin C, garlic, or elderberry help to prevent or treat COVID-19.

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