Garlic is one of the most flavorful and aromatic foods that we cook with today. It’s native to central Asia and northeastern Iran and has been used for thousands of years in foods and for its medicinal properties.
And not much has changed as garlic is still being used for this purpose. That’s why we put together a quality list of best garlic supplements that we believe will make a great addition to your current health regime. We’ve also provided important information so that you can understand what it may be beneficial for.
But just so you can get an idea, garlic may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, cholesterol, blood pressure, immune health, and much more.
Let’s gets into it…
Best garlic supplements
Check out these products from companies that have committed to creating a quality garlic supplement.
- Kyolic Garlic Formula 100 Original Cardiovascular Formula – Buy here (Editor’s choice)
- BRI Nutrition Odorless Garlic – Buy here
- Sports Research Garlic Oil Softgels – Buy here
- Puritan’s Pride Premium Odorless Garlic Softgels – Buy here
- Nutricost Garlic Softgels – Buy here
- NOW Supplements Garlic Oil Softgels – Buy here
- Horbaach Garlic Softgels – Buy here
- Sundown Garlic Extract Softgels – Buy here
- Zhou Nutrition Extra Strength Garlic +Allicin Tablets – Buy here
- Nutra Champs Garlic Fresh Cloves With Parsley Softgels – Buy here
- Oregon’s Wild Harvest Garlic Capsules – Buy here
- Microingredients Odorless Garlic Softgels – Buy here
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Editor’s Choice – Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract Original Formula Cardiovascular Capsules
Kyolic aged garlic cardiovascular capsules are of the most premium quality and scientifically-studied. The garlic is aged with an extraction process that maximizes the beneficial compounds that elicit the health benefits.
Kyolic aged garlic is among the best, aged garlic extract supplements that you can find. Every serving contains 600mg of aged garlic extract (bulb). Each batch is made with organically-grown garlic bulbs and it’s aged via an extraction process for odor elimination and the creation of unique compounds.
Kyolic aged garlic is designed to help improve cardiovascular health, inflammation, immune health, and more. You can even use it as part of a detox.
This particular product is formulated for supporting cardiovascular health. Although, the company does have other garlic products for cholesterol and blood pressure.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Aged for odor elimination and creation of beneficial compounds
- Organic
- Scientifically-researched
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- GMP compliant
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Contains milk-based whey
- Contains magnesium stearate
BRI Nutrition Extra Strength Garlic (Odorless) Softgels
Each fast-acting soft gel contains 1000mg (equivalent to 1000mg from garlic bulb) of odorless garlic. In addition, there’s 200mg of parsley which is an herb that has many health benefits. It’s rich in nutrients and antioxidants (cancer-fighting properties) that may improve heart health and it has antibacterial properties.
Lastly, you get 56mcg of chlorophyll which is the green pigment in plants that traps energy from the sun to grow. It has health-promoting properties but helps mask the pungent odor of garlic.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Odorless
- Lab-tested for quality
- Fast-acting soft gels
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- May cause burps and heartburn
- Contains soy (dealbreaker for some)
Sports Research Garlic Oil Softgels
Sports Research is a go-to brand when it comes to herbal supplements that really work. This product is made from fresh whole garlic cloves and overall, the same ingredients (and dosages) as the first product on our list. The only difference being that these gels contain organic extra virgin olive oil and no soy, in addition to a few other ingredients.
There are plenty of great benefits of this garlic supplement as it’s made entirely from quality ingredients that are lab-tested for purity and potency.
Pros
- 100% plant-based
- Odorless
- No soybean oil
- Non-GMO
- Vegan certified
- Lab-tested
- Gluten-free
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
Puritan’s Pride Premium Odorless Garlic Softgels
Puritan’s Pride is a household name and we’d expect that this product is sitting on many kitchen counters around the country. This garlic supplement is very simple compared to the other two we’ve listed so far with 1,000 mg garlic but it’s top-notch nonetheless.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Great overall value
- Odorless
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Contains soybean oil
Nutricost Garlic Softgels
A big name in the supplement industry, Nutricost produces products that people won’t hesitate to buy. Their 1,000mg garlic is a highly potent supplement that’ll provide the benefits of garlic without the odor. It’s made through trusted sources and definitely deserves a spot on our list.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Odorless
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Lab-tested
- GMP compliant
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Contains soybean oil
NOW Supplements Garlic Oil Softgels
You’re probably familiar with the family-owned and operated company NOW Supplements. You can’t go wrong with any of their options and the garlic oil is no exception.
Each serving is equivalent to 4,500mg of whole clove garlic with no added fillers. It’s hard to beat this product for quality.
And you have to love that the company is into charitable giving and sustainability.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Lab-tested
- GMP compliant
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Contains soybean oil
- Complaints of strong garlic taste
Horbaach Garlic Softgels
Horbaac goes back to product development since 1971 and therefore are a trusted brand by many.
Their garlic soft gels are made to high standards and tested for quality. A dose of this supplement contains 2,400mg of odorless garlic from 24mg concentrate in a quick-release capsule so that you can experience the potential benefits as quickly as possible.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Odorless
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- GMP compliant
- DNA tested
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Complaints of a strong odor
- Some concerns with potency
Sundown Garlic Extract Softgels
Another top-notch option, Sundown garlic extracts is similar to many of the products we’ve listed. It contains 10mg of odorless garlic extract which is equivalent to 1,000mg of fresh garlic bulb.
Sundown is a longstanding company that makes clean products that contain quality-sourced ingredients while being free from the stuff you don’t want or need.
This particular product is “typically used for heart and circulatory function” as noted on the product label. And it very well may contribute to these health factors based on what we know about the benefits of garlic.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Odorless
- GMP compliant
- Gluten-free
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Contains soybean oil
Zhou Nutrition Extra Strength Garlic +Allicin Tablets
A lot of people seem to like this product for its blood pressure-lowering properties. It provides 415mg of garlic (5,000mcg [12,000mcg/g] allicin) in an extra-strength formula. The enteric-coated tablets prevent the breakdown of the garlic before it enters the small intestine where it’s best absorbed and most effective.
Zhou garlic isn’t a replacement for blood pressure medication but it’s a viable addition for helping to maintain healthy blood pressure.
Pros
- GMP compliant
- Non-GMO
- Lab-tested
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- Some quality concerns with product potency
- Big tablets
Nutra Champs Garlic Fresh Cloves With Parsley Softgels
Nutra Champs garlic supplement contains a healthy dose of parsley in addition to 1,000mg of odorless garlic oil. There’s also 10mg of aged garlic to create beneficial properties since it’s loaded with amino acids and antioxidants. Chlorophyll is also added to the formula.
The product does contain animal gelatin.
Pros
- Taste and odor-free
- GMP complaint
- Lab-tested
- Made with Love!
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
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Oregon’s Wild Harvest Garlic Capsules
Oregon’s Wild Harvest supplies 1,575mg of organic garlic bulb contained in Non-GMO bovine gelatin capsules and nothing else as they stated on the label. It’s not completely plant-based like many options on our list but it’s a stellar product nonetheless.
And because it’s such a straightforward, no-frills, or “added anything” product, you’re going to experience the aromas that are inevitable with Oregon’s Wild Harvest garlic capsules.
If you want simple and effective, this is your product!
Pros
- Certified organic
- Non-GMO
- Very little ingredients
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
- May have a strong odor
Microingredients Odorless Garlic Softgels
Microingredients is really showing out with the nutritional supplements. They have a nice lineup which includes their odorless garlic softgels. It’s a potent product that provides a higher dose than most at 2,000mg per dose of odorless garlic.
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- No soy
- Vegetarian softgel
- Lab-tested
Cons
- May cause digestive discomfort
How We Ranked
Because there’s no one-size-fits-all garlic product, we chose the products with the best track record from reputable brands.
Ingredients – Each product should contain a good amount of the active ingredient and very limited additional ingredients, if any, at all.
Manufacturing Standards – Ideally, products are manufactured with good practices and safely stored for optimal quality and effectiveness.
Side Effects – Products should only contain ingredients that are generally considered safe for most people with little chance of causing discomfort or other undesirable effects. However, sometimes certain ingredients may cause discomfort and that’s one reason why it’s good to know which ones you can or can’t use.
User feedback is also sometimes a good way to determine the overall quality of a product.
Benefits of Garlic
Garlic or allium sativum to be scientific, is closely related to the onion, chives, shallots, and leeks. It’s grown all over the world although China produces a large portion while the US accounts for a small percentage of garlic of which California is the main source.
And over three thousand studies have shown the positive effects of garlic for health purposes. In fact, it was used by the anxiety Egyptians, Greek, Romans, and others for this purpose. (1)
But due to the most recent evidence, it’s clear that the beneficial properties come from the sulfur compounds when the garlic is crushed or chopped. These substances include allicin which science shows is very potent, in addition to diallyl disulfide, and s-allyl cysteine. (2, 3)
But most products contain high amounts of allicin as the main compound for eliciting beneficial effects.
Improves and prevents common cold
Perhaps the most beneficial use of garlic is for the common cold due to its immune-boosting effects. One piece of scientific literature found that out of 146 volunteers who were given garlic or placebo, the former group had significantly fewer colds than the placebo group. (4)
The placebo group also has had symptoms much longer and individuals in the active group were less likely to get a cold and recovered faster if infected. It was concluded that the “allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.”
But this may vary between individuals suffering from cold symptoms.
May improve brain health
Alzheimer’s and dementia are associated with the aging population and so is cognitive function in general. It occurs when disease-causing free radicals cause oxidative stress in the body. But because garlic has antioxidants that fight off these free radicals, it’s likely to reduce the oxidative stress. (5)
Inflammation, high cholesterol, and hypertension also increase the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s. These also happen to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease. But because garlic can have positive effects on Inflammation, high cholesterol, and hypertension, dementia, and Alzheimer’s may improve as well. (6, 7, 8)
Can lower blood pressure
Blood pressure is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is a fatal illness.
But garlic has shown to lower blood pressure in several studies. (9)
Still not convinced of its potency for this purpose? One study on patients with essential hypertension found that 600-1,500mg of garlic significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading more than a group that took atenolol (beta-blocker used to treat hypertension) and a placebo group over a 24-week period. (10)
May lower cholesterol
Some research suggests that garlic may lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol although there isn’t sufficient evidence to suggest it has an effect on HDL (good) cholesterol. (11, 12, 13)
Garlic can combat fatigue and increase endurance
Garlic is used to treat fatigue although the mechanism by which it may have positive effects is inconclusive. (1)
And in animal studies, the compounds in garlic have shown to increase endurance which is appealing to those who are usually involved in physical activity.
The anti-fatigue properties are very promising and more studies are needed to extend upon what has been discovered so far.
It smells and tastes amazing
Garlic is definitely not for everyone. But for those who do like it, the aroma of cooking with it is a bit heavenly not to mention it adds a lot of flavor to any dish. It’s also very low calorie and makes for the perfect addition to any foods that you can use it in combination with.
Who Should Buy Garlic Supplements?
Based on the provided studies and what we know about the beneficial, health-supporting properties of garlic, healthy people who follow a health regime should consider supplementing with garlic.
It’s good for heart health which is crucial for longevity, immune system health which is especially important currently to protect yourself against the current health crisis, and other health factors as we’ve detailed.
There are no negatives to consuming a healthy dose of garlic!
How Do I Pick A Good Garlic Product For Me?
There are plenty of great garlic products on the market. However, some people have better experiences with certain products compared to others.
You can determine which product to choose based on the information we’ve provided. Also, you may want to choose a product from a company that you’ve had good experiences with. We also recommend reading user feedback to see what others have experienced with a product as well.
Keep in mind that different products may vary in the amount of garlic contained in each product. Although, most garlic supplements typically have a similar amount of around 1,000mg garlic extract. That’s pretty indicative of this being a safe and therapeutic dose.
So, anything in this range is good-to-go.
Another important thing to note is that some additional ingredients may not react well with some individuals including soy and added ingredients used in the capsules. And some products aren’t entirely plant-based which is a definite dealbreaker for many.
Don’t be afraid to inquire and ask questions to ensure you choose a product that’s best suited for your needs.
Does Garlic Have Side Effects?
Garlic can cause allergic reactions for some people. It can also thin blood and increases the chances of bleeding. That’s why it’s best to avoid consumption in combination with certain medications that already thin the blood such as Aspirin for example.
It’s also possible that garlic causes digestive discomfort, vomiting, nausea, gas, body odor, and the unpleasant breath is a no brainer.
Generally, though, garlic is safe and shouldn’t cause any side effects.
How Much Garlic Should I Consume?
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians…
“The effective dosage of garlic has not been determined. Dosages generally recommended in the literature for adults are 4 g (one to two cloves) of raw garlic per day, one 300-mg dried garlic powder tablet (standardized to 1.3 percent alliin or 0.6 percent allicin yield) two to three times per day, or 7.2 g of aged garlic extract per day”. (14)
We recommend following the dosing instructions provided on the product label. Otherwise, if you eat a lot of garlic then take the minimum dosage.
Is There A Best Garlic Supplement?
Everyone will have a preference. Some may prefer oil, and others, capsules/tablets. As mentioned previously, you may find that something works better for you than other similar products. Go with any of the reputable supplement brands and weigh the pros and cons.
If you want the reassurance of potency and purity, opt for a supplement that is lab-tested and GMP compliant to ensure you’re getting the actual dose of ingredients listed on the product’s label.
Wrapping Up
Our list of best garlic supplements should serve you well in your decision to choose an ideal option for your needs. You already know about the potential benefits and you have nothing to lose (but something to gain) by including garlic in your daily health regime.
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Comments 1
I read in a good source that China lets/allow polluting liquids leach into the garlic while it is growing in the ground. Have you heard of this possibility?