Is Aged Garlic Good for the Heart and Immune System? |

The many benefits of Aged Garlic Extract

For centuries, cultures across the globe have cherished garlic–not just for its bold flavor, but as a natural remedy for various ailments. Today, there’s a multitude of research confirming its benefits, particularly for heart health and immune function.

Thanks to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds like allicin, garlic can lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve blood flow, and boost white blood cells to combat infections.

Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) may be even more effective, since the aging process fortifies antioxidants, stabilizes compounds, and makes it gentler on digestion.

How is aged garlic good for the heart?

AGE may not be a magic bullet, and may not fully replace cholesterol- or blood-pressure-lowering medications. But research suggests it offers real benefits for the heart. Here’s how:

AGE may lower cholesterol

One study found that taking AGE reduced total cholesterol by 7% and “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 10% in men with high cholesterol. In animal studies, AGE supplementation lowered total cholesterol by 15% and triglycerides (a type of lipid or fat) by 30% in the blood.

Excess triglycerides in the blood can raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious health problems. Scientists believe garlic helps reduce these risks by:

Inhibiting key enzymes involved in cholesterol production
Accelerating the process of turning cholesterol into bile acids, which the body then flushes out
Regulating fat metabolism by limiting the synthesis of fatty acids, the building blocks of triglycerides

However, a separate study from Stanford found no significant effect on LDL cholesterol in adults with moderately high levels. So more research is needed to understand AGE’s effects.

AGE could reduce blood pressure

AGE might also be helpful for those with hypertension. Research indicates that it can lower diastolic blood pressure by an average of 5.85 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg), especially in men with levels above 75 mm Hg.

Experts consider 80mm Hg and below to be a healthy diastolic reading.

This reduction is comparable to science-backed eating patterns that lower blood pressure, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

Scientists believe AGE helps by:

Boosting the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels
Blocking ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), a protein that raises blood pressure by tightening blood vessels
Raising hydrogen sulfide levels, which helps keep blood vessels open and supports healthy circulation

What’s more, garlic’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect blood vessels from oxidative stress and damage, further helping to:

Maintain vascular elasticity
Lower the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup)
Improve the function of the endothelium (cells in the inner lining of blood vessels)

AGE’s benefits for immune health

AGE also has powerful immune-boosting, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. For over a century, studies have found that garlic helps fight bacterial and viral infections, potentially reducing or preventing symptoms.

A University of Florida study found that participants taking the popular, high-potency brand of AGE supplements, Kyolic, reported 21% fewer cold and flu symptoms than those in the placebo group.

AGE also sped up recovery, reducing missed school or work days by 58% and shortening the time participants felt unwell–all within just 90 days.

Blood tests showed a significant increase in participants’ immune cells–particularly natural killer cells and gamma delta T cells, which help the body fight infections.

Researchers attribute these immune-boosting effects to AGE’s ability to increase levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant found in every cell. Glutathione plays a critical role in:

Protecting cells from oxidative damage
Strengthening immunity
Supporting detoxification
Regenerating other antioxidants like vitamins C and E

Related: 5 Facts for Heart Health

Research also suggests that AGE suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines (proteins made by immune and non-immune cells that signal infection). By reducing these inflammatory markers, AGE helps balance immune response by avoiding excess inflammation while still coping healthfully with infection.

Aged garlic vs raw garlic: Which is better?

Garlic is a well-known natural remedy with heart-healthy, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties, thanks to its key active compound, allicin. And you can certainly reap its benefits by consuming the vegetable raw.

However, this is not always the most practical option. Taking raw garlic as a supplement carries some challenges and risks, including:

A strong odor
Potential for digestive discomfort
Inconsistent potency
Large dose requirements, which can amplify these side effects

AGE, on the other hand, undergoes processing to make it odorless and gentler on the stomach.

The aging process also converts unstable compounds in garlic into more bioavailable and beneficial sulfur compounds, such as S-allyl cysteine, which studies have linked to stronger cardiovascular and immune effects.

It’s also standardized for potency, ensuring reliable and consistent results.

Whether you’re looking to protect your cardiovascular health or strengthen your immune system, AGE is a powerful, research-backed solution–without the downsides of raw garlic. Consider adding an AGE supplement to your wellness regimen as a simple way to strengthen your body’s defenses and promote long-term wellness.