Experimental and controlled study on community pharmacy: impact of the administration of a garlic-based dietary supplement on high cholesterol

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is an abnormal level of the lipoproteins that transport cholesterol and triglycerides, and it is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The effectiveness of using plant-based products like garlic (Allium sativum) to prevent and treat dyslipidemia is under debate. Few studies have been published on the effect of these products in the context of the community pharmacy.

Objectives: Study the variation of total cholesterol values in patients treated with a garlic-based dietary supplement in capsule form. Link these values to demographic factors and to the use or non-use of prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs. Determine whether the results are consistent with those found in the bibliography.

Materials and Methods: Experimental, controlled study conducted in a community pharmacy. The patients who agreed to participate were divided randomly into two groups, the intervention group (IG), which took a garlic-based dietary supplement, and the control group (CG), which did not take it.

Results: 59 subjects, 29 corresponding to the CG and 30 to the IG. Greater decrease in total cholesterol in the subjects who did not take the prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs, but this result cannot be attributed to the effect of the dietary supplement administered since a decrease occurred in both groups. No significant differences were detected between the groups. In the subjects who were already taking the prescription cholesterol-lowering drugs, the effect of the dietary supplement was practically negligible.

Conclusions: Under the conditions of the study, administration of the garlic-based dietary supplement does not appear to be effective enough to reduce cholesterol levels significantly.