Garlic is truly one of nature's most impressive foods and I am a big fan of it. Having antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, along with a host of additional health-promoting characteristics, the benefits you can gain from garlic seem quite profound.

A great deal of research has been done on garlic, but the findings summarized in this research are new and provide some exciting news for those of you who may be suffering from pulmonary hypertension. If you are not familiar with the symptoms of this condition, they include:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or fainting spells (syncope)
• Chest pressure or pain
• Swelling (edema) in your ankles, legs and eventually in your abdomen
• Bluish color to your lips and skin (cyanosis)
• Racing pulse or increased heart rate

Although primary pulmonary hypertension is a rare disorder with no known cause, secondary pulmonary hypertension (hypertension in the lungs caused by another problem in the body) is fairly common.

Secondary pulmonary hypertension is caused by a number of different lung disorders, including congestive heart failure, emphysema and sleep apnea.

Conditions such as these are often related to poor dietary and lifestyle choices, and thus are largely preventable.

Eating fresh garlic on a regular basis and following my Total Health Program would provide a powerful combination in the prevention and treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

Fresh Garlic--The Best Form to Use

Perhaps the most important notion supported by the research reviewed here is that only fresh garlic works.

Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic discussed here, is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic. This means that garlic pills are virtually worthless and should not be used.

Instead, when you use the garlic, compress it with a spoon prior to swallowing it, or put it through your juicer to add to vegetable juice. Just be careful not to put too much as raw garlic has a powerful flavor and can cause some unpleasant surprises. A single medium size clove or two is usually sufficient.

I am not a big fan of supplements, as I believe nutrients found in their natural state, i.e. food, are more beneficial to us than supplements containing isolated or synthetic nutrients.

It seems as if everyday new research comes out proving food is better, and the study discussed here continues that trend.

Related Articles:

Garlic Could be Used as Cancer Treatment

Obesity Drugs Linked To Rise In Lung Disorder

Garlic Keeps the Ticks Away