Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Aged garlic extract, or AGE, is just one of the many available supplement forms of the garlic herb. Garlic is a perennial plant with a compound bulb native to Asia and packed with antioxidants.¹ Each bulb contains four to 20 cloves, which are used in cooking and medicine. Garlic is available in many forms, including fresh, dried, and powdered forms as well as in garlic oil and aged garlic extract. Each of these forms are unique in their medicinal properties.¹

Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) Uses and Health Benefits

Aged garlic extract comes with many medicinal benefits. Among them, AGE may help in boosting the immune system in cancer patients. Studies show that patients suffering from inoperable liver, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer will experience improved immune activity after taking AGE for six months.²  Aged garlic extract has also been recommended for patients with meningitis due to its antiviral and antibacterial properties.³ It may even help fight influenza and sickle cell anemia and provide HIV and AIDS immune support.⁴ Like other forms of garlic supplements, AGE has many cardiovascular-protective properties. Other conditions AGE is beneficial for include:

• High Cholesterol (Hypercholesterolemia) - Studies suggest that garlic supplements may help in lowering cholesterol levels.¹ 
• Heart Disease - With its cholesterol and blood pressure lowering properties, AGE may help in preventing or treating heart disease. It’s also said to slow atherosclerosis development, or hardening of the arteries, which is closely related to heart disease.⁴
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) - Studies have shown that aged garlic extract is a promising treatment for controlling high blood pressure.⁵ 
• Stroke - In addition to its other heart and blood vessel supportive properties, AGE may help in lowering the risk of stroke.
• Tuberculosis - Thanks to its immune-boosting and antibacterial properties, aged garlic extract is a recommended herbal remedy for tuberculosis patients.⁶

Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) Side Effects and Precautions

Like any herbal remedy, AGE should be taken with caution. Aged garlic extract side effects may include a blood-thinning effect, meaning it may interact with other blood-thinning medications. Do not take AGE with blood thinners such as Aspirin or Warfarin.³ It may also interact with HIV medications or birth control pills.₆ Talk to your doctor about other herbs or medications you’re taking before starting on an aged garlic extract regimen to ensure it’s safe for you.

References

1. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/garlic
2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/16/benefits-garlic.aspx
3. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/meningitis
4. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2093008
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3561616/
6. http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/tuberculosis