Fact Check: Can Garlic Cure Stroke?

A post on X claims that garlic cures stroke. This claim is FALSE

Claim

A post on X claims that Garlic can cure stroke. As per @NY_amankwaa, Garlic can cure stroke, Atherosclerosis, gout, constipation, diabetes, dysentery, earaches and headache, hypertension, rheumatism, symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections (cold, fever, coughs, bronchitis, sinus congestion, tuberculosis. As per the post, garlic infused in hot water cures multiple health issues which includes Garlic can cure stroke. The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

This claim is FALSE. Garlic cannot cure stroke.

Understanding Stroke

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute said, "A stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or there is a sudden bleed within the brain. There are two main types of strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells. Without these vital elements, brain cells can start to die within minutes. A hemorrhagic stroke happens due to sudden bleeding in the brain, which causes pressure on the brain cells, leading to damage. Stroke is a critical medical emergency that can result in lasting brain injury, long-term disability, or even death. Symptoms of a stroke can vary, ranging from mild weakness to paralysis or numbness on one side of the face or body. Additional symptoms may include a sudden, severe headache, sudden weakness, difficulty seeing, and trouble speaking or understanding language." (1)

Strokes as per Johns Hopkins Medicine are classified into ischemic and hemorrhagic types. Ischemic strokes, which make up about 87% of all cases, occur when a blood vessel supplying the brain becomes blocked, cutting off oxygen and nutrients and causing brain cells and tissues to die within minutes. On the other hand, hemorrhagic strokes, comprising around 13% of strokes, happen when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds. This bleeding not only deprives brain cells and tissues of oxygen but also increases pressure and swelling in the surrounding areas, leading to additional brain damage. (2)

Dr. Rahul Chawla MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Neurology) is an Associate Consultant, Neurology at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi explained "A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. This can happen due to a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or the rupture of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Without prompt treatment, brain cells begin to die, leading to potentially severe neurological damage or death. The symptoms of a stroke can vary depending on the affected brain area but often include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision problems, dizziness, and severe headache.

A stroke is a medical emergency, and immediate treatment is critical. Ischemic strokes can sometimes be treated with clot-dissolving drugs like tPA (tissue plasminogen activator) if administered within a few hours of symptom onset. In some cases, mechanical thrombectomy, a procedure to remove the clot, may be performed. Hemorrhagic strokes require different interventions, such as controlling bleeding and reducing pressure in the brain.

While some people recover fully from a stroke, others may experience long-term or permanent disabilities. Rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, plays a crucial role in recovery. Early treatment and lifestyle changes can help prevent strokes and improve outcomes, but complete "cure" is not always possible."

Can Stroke Be Cured?

Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that, "Stroke cannot be cured but advanced medical and surgical treatments are available to help reduce the risk of future strokes." (3)

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) a common culinary condiment, has long been used in traditional plant-based medicine, primarily due to its organosulfur compounds. These compounds have demonstrated significant biological and therapeutic properties, with their effectiveness depending on the method of preparation, use, and extraction. Garlic is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects, which help maintain immune system balance by positively influencing immune cells and modulating cytokine proliferation and expression. These properties suggest its potential in treating infections and tumors. Additionally, garlic's organosulfur compounds offer vascular benefits, such as lipid metabolism regulation and antihypertensive and antiaggregant effects. (4)

Can Garlic Cure Stroke?

Sandra Monserrat Bautista-Perez's et. al.'s research on stroke treatments using garlic-derived preparations and compounds primarily focuses on reducing damage through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly in the short term. However, these garlic-based compounds have also been shown to promote neurotransmitter production, neovasculogenic, and neuroplasticity in both healthy animals and pathological models. This suggests that garlic compounds could potentially enhance cognitive and motor function following a stroke. (5)

Waris Qidwai et. al. conducted a study that found garlic could be used as a supplementary treatment alongside lipid-lowering drugs for managing lipid levels. However, it was concluded that garlic cannot be recommended as a primary therapeutic agent. It was also emphasized the need for further meta-analyses using standardized garlic preparations, with careful attention to methodological issues, to better establish its role. (6)

Research published in Neurological Research indicates that garlic has beneficial effects on atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes. It can also help lower the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, the study stated. However, non of the literature in medical science supports use of garlic as a cure for stroke. (7)

Medical Dialogues Fact Check Team spoke with Dr. Rahul Chawla MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DM (Neurology) is an Associate Consultant, Neurology at PSRI Hospital, New Delhi said "Garlic has some recognized health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular health, but it is not a stroke treatment. Stroke is a neurological emergency where the blood supply to the brain is compromised, leading to potentially life-threatening consequences if not treated immediately. Effective stroke treatment involves prompt medical intervention, such as the administration of clot-busting drugs, surgical procedures, or other specialized treatments, depending on the type of stroke. While garlic may be beneficial in reducing long-term stroke risk as part of a heart-healthy diet, it cannot reverse or treat the effects of a stroke once it has occurred. Delaying medical care to use garlic or other natural remedies during a stroke can result in severe brain damage, permanent disability, or death. It is essential to seek emergency medical attention immediately when a stroke is suspected."

Dr. Sohet Gogia, Consultant, Neurosurgery, Neurosciences, Medanta Hospital, Gurugram added "Garlic is often praised for its cardiovascular benefits, including its ability to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can contribute to overall heart health. However, it's critical to understand that garlic is not a treatment or cure for stroke. Stroke is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate intervention by healthcare professionals. Depending on the type of stroke, treatments may involve clot-busting drugs, surgery, or other specialized medical procedures to restore blood flow to the brain and minimize damage. Delaying proper medical treatment in favor of natural remedies like garlic can have dire consequences. A stroke can cause permanent brain damage, disability, or even death if not treated promptly. While maintaining a healthy diet that includes garlic may help reduce the risk of stroke, it is not a substitute for urgent medical care when a stroke occurs."

There is limited evidence suggesting that garlic may reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. Garlic is known for its short-term antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and has been shown to support neurotransmitter production, neovasculogenesis, and neuroplasticity in both animal studies and pathological models. Additionally, garlic may enhance cognitive and motor functions. However, it's important to note that there is no medical consensus or scientific proof that garlic can cure stroke.

Medical Dialogues Final Take

There is currently no scientific consensus or evidence to support the notion that garlic can cure strokes. Nonetheless, garlic has shown potential in stroke treatment by minimizing damage through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, especially in the short term. Scientific research indicates that garlic compounds may boost neurotransmitter production, promote the formation of new blood vessels, and enhance neuroplasticity in both healthy individuals and those with existing health conditions, suggesting possible improvements in cognitive and motor functions following a stroke. Although garlic can be beneficial as an adjunct therapy alongside lipid-lowering medications, it should not be considered a primary treatment option. Additionally, there is weak evidence that garlic can have positive effects on atherosclerosis, hypertension, and diabetes, and contributes to lowering the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke but it cannot cure stroke.

Hence the claim that Garlic can cure stroke is FALSE.

References

1. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/stroke
2. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stroke/types-of-stroke
3. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/stroke
4. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2022/fo/d1fo03180e
5. Bautista-Perez SM, Silva-Islas CA, Sandoval-Marquez OU, Toledo-Toledo J, Bello-Martínez JM, Barrera-Oviedo D, Maldonado PD. Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Garlic in Ischemic Stroke: Proposal of a New Mechanism of Protection through Regulation of Neuroplasticity. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023 Dec 16;12(12):2126. doi: 10.3390/antiox12122126. PMID: 38136245; PMCID: PMC10740829.
6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2013/125649
7. Yuequan Zhu, Eric Allen Klomparens, Sichao Guo & Xiaokun Geng. (2019) Neuroinflammation caused by mental stress: the effect of chronic restraint stress and acute repeated social defeat stress in mice. Neurological Research 41:8, pages 762-769.