Abstract

Subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Altered gut microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of MetS. It has been hypothesized that garlic can improve intestinal transit time and cardiovascular risks. We investigated the effect of garlic powder supplementation on intestinal transit time, lipid accumulation product (LAP), and cardiometabolic indices in subjects with MetS. A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted for 3 months among subjects with MetS. Ninety subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment group (intake of 1,600 mg/d garlic powder) or control group (placebo) using a computer-generated random number table. All participants were asked to follow the common healthy dietary recommendations during follow-up. The primary outcomes included intestinal transit time, LAP, cardiometabolic index (CMI), atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli risk index I (CRI-I) and Castelli risk index II (CRI-II). Garlic powder compared to the placebo improved intestinal transit time (p = .001), LAP (-21.5 +/- 23.4 vs. 0.7 +/- 21.5; p < .001), CMI (-0.85 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.13 +/- 0.8; p < .001), AIP (-0.14 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.01 +/- 0.1; p < .001), CRI-I (-0.69 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.16 +/- 0.5; p < .001) and CRI-II (-0.50 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.02 +/- 0.3; p < .001). Garlic supplementation can improve intestinal transit time, LAP, and cardiometabolic indices.