Garlic Oil May Stave Off Heart Disease in Diabetics

Although diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, it can cause a number of health complications. The most common one that affects diabetes disproportionately is heart disease. It is estimated that 80 percent of diabetics died from complications resulting from heart disease. Cardiomyopathy, a condition that causes direct damage to the heart, is the leading cause of death.

Taking care of your heart is just as important and managing your blood sugar levels. Generally, following a heart healthy diet is a good place to start. Adding beneficial supplements can also provide protection to the heart.

A study found in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that garlic oil reduced the risk of developing heart complications such as cardiomyopathy. After monitoring two groups of rats who were fed two different types of oil – garlic oil and corn oil – the researchers found that the rats that ingested the garlic oil had a lower incidence of cardiovascular complications. They found that this was due to the high amount of antioxidants contained in the garlic oil.

Garlic oil is a natural alternative to protecting heart health. There are many conventional medications that can also reduce the incidence of heart disease. However, many of these medications have associated side effects that you may not want to deal with. Other foods that can assist in promoting heart health include grapes, oatmeal, salmon, almonds, and flaxseeds.