🧄 Get the Maximum Health Benefits From Garlic! This Is How!
- ketogenicfasting
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 1
The Healing Power of Garlic
Garlic has been treasured for centuries for its medicinal healing properties. To unlock its full potential—especially for heart health, immunity, blood pressure, glucose levels, and overall organ function—you must first allow it to become activated.
In this video, Dr. Mandell explains how you can get the maximum benefit from the key element allicin in the garlic by following a number of simple cooking instructions.

⚗️ Activate the Allicin
Garlic contains a potent sulfur compound called allicin, which gives it that characteristic pungent smell and delivers most of its health benefits.
The enzymes from the allicin need some time to start working. To activate allicin:
Mince, crush, or chop your garlic.
Then let it rest for 10–15 minutes before consuming or cooking. This waiting period allows the enzymes to convert garlic’s natural compounds into bioavailable allicin.
🔥 Cooking Tips for Garlic
For best results, add it toward the end of cooking.
Allicin is heat-sensitive. If you choose to cook garlic, be aware that heat alters its pH and destroys the beneficial compound allicin. To retain garlic’s healing properties when cooking:
Do not heat garlic above 140°F (60°C).
Add it toward the end of cooking to preserve its potency.
🍽️ Flavor & Form
Garlic can be enjoyed in many forms:
Raw: Intense and pungent.
Roasted in olive oil: Soft, buttery, and mellow.
Infused oil: Excellent for massage and muscle relief.
🥗 Which Is Better? Raw vs. Cooked Garlic
Both offer benefits!
Studies show that raw and cooked garlic (not supplements) contribute to better immunity and other health outcomes.
Garlic supplements aren’t entirely useless, but they are often far less effective than fresh garlic—and here's why:
🔬 Why Garlic Supplements Fall Short:
Allicin is unstable:
Allicin—the key therapeutic compound—is only created when fresh garlic is crushed or chopped. It’s highly unstable and doesn’t survive processing well. Many supplements don’t actually contain allicin, only its precursors or degraded forms.
Enteric coatings may delay activation:
Some supplements attempt to preserve allicin precursors with delayed-release coatings, but this can prevent proper activation, especially if stomach acid isn’t strong enough to trigger the reaction.
Low bioavailability:
Even if a supplement contains allicin or its precursors, the body may absorb very little of it compared to fresh, properly prepared garlic.
Studies favor real garlic:
Most health benefits shown in research—like cardiovascular protection or immune support—are based on raw or lightly cooked garlic, not supplements.
Product inconsistency:
The garlic supplement market is largely unregulated. Many products vary wildly in potency, purity, and effectiveness.
🟢 When Supplements Might Be Useful:
If someone cannot tolerate raw garlic due to its taste, odor, or digestive issues, high-quality, standardized supplements (like aged garlic extract) may offer some benefit—though not as much as fresh garlic.
In short: Fresh, raw, or lightly cooked garlic (provided that it is not overheated) is superior. Supplements are a last resort and not a true substitute.
🌿 Health Benefits of Garlic
🛡️Immunity
Garlic boosts your immune system.
One study found that people who regularly ate garlic, fruits, and vegetables had a 35% lower risk of colon cancer.
💪 Anti-Inflammatory
One study found that garlic oil works as a potent anti-inflammatory.
Great for sore muscles or inflamed joints—rub garlic oil on affected areas.
Recommended by the Arthritis Foundation for preventing cartilage damage from arthritis.
❤️ Heart Health
Garlic supports cardiovascular function.
It helps regulate blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.
Red blood cells convert garlic’s sulfur into hydrogen sulfide gas, improving circulation.
✨ Skin Health
Thanks to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, garlic can improve skin clarity.
Raw garlic may reduce acne by killing bacteria—but be cautious, as it may cause irritation.
Consult a dermatologist before applying directly to skin.
🍽️ Food Protection
Garlic’s natural compounds can fight foodborne pathogens.
Fresh garlic kills bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, reducing the risk of food poisoning.
🦶 Athlete’s Foot Remedy
Garlic is also a natural antifungal.
Soak your feet in garlic water or rub raw garlic on affected areas to relieve symptoms of athlete’s foot.
Commentaires