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Aged Black Garlic Supports Glaucoma and New Eye-Related Research

aged black garlic bulbsAged black garlic, a culinary staple, is gaining recognition for its unique flavor and remarkable health benefits. Garlic has long been celebrated for its medicinal properties. Aged black garlic is a fermented food with even more potency and health benefits. Recent research has uncovered the benefits of aged black garlic, particularly in relation to the cardiovascular system and the eyes, including glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. From improving optic nerve blood flow and reducing intraocular pressure to boosting HDL cholesterol levels and mitigating heart disease risks, aged black garlic is a versatile and powerful ally in promoting overall health.

What Is Aged Black Garlic?

Originating in East Asia, the recipe for black garlic is quite straightforward. Take fresh, raw garlic and ferment it between 140 degrees to 190 degrees Fahrenheit for 21 to 90 days. 1 2 3 This process induces the Maillard reaction, the chemical reaction between sugars and amino acids, which creates a scrumptious, complex flavor and turns the garlic dark brown.
You can follow a recipe for making black garlic at home using a dehydrator, rice cooker, or slow cooker. Or, purchase black garlic in whole or powdered form. Black garlic oil is a foundational condiment and ingredient in Asian cooking.

How to Use Aged Black Garlic

As a superfood, black garlic chunks can be eaten straight from the jar for a healthy snack. Chefs treasure black garlic in recipes, such as:

  • Garlic and mushroom risotto
  • Smoothies
  • Hummus
  • Chutney
  • Vegan gravy
  • Sauces
  • Black garlic and tofu stir-fry
  • Dipping sauce
  • Noodles
  • Ramen

Why Black Garlic Has Health Benefits

Garlic’s primary health-boosting compound is allicin, which is complemented by its high levels of antioxidants, 4 including flavonoids and polyphenols commonly found in fruits and vegetables. 5 Aged black garlic, in particular, contains higher concentrations of S-allyl-cysteine (SAC) compared to fresh garlic. SAC has been shown to significantly support cardiovascular health. Additionally, aged black garlic contains essential vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins.

Aged Black Garlic and Vision Health

Glaucoma and Retinal Health

Enhancing optic nerve blood flow is crucial for improving visual acuity in glaucoma patients. Research indicates that garlic supplements can be beneficial in this regard. One study found that garlic not only enhances visual acuity but also reduces central macular thickness (CMT) and lowers intraocular pressure (IOP). 6 This makes garlic a potential complementary treatment for individuals with diabetic macular edema. 7

Garlic’s ability to contract the ciliary muscles aids in the outflow of aqueous humor, thereby reducing IOP. 8 Additionally, consuming garlic may help prevent IOP spikes following anti-VEGF treatment.

Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss in individuals with diabetic retinopathy. This condition arises from the accumulation of extracellular fluid in the retina, which disrupts the retinal cell structure. Studies have shown that garlic can mitigate the process of neurodegeneration in the neural retina, as evidenced by animal models. 9

Ocular ischemia, resulting from vascular endothelium damage, is a primary cause of diabetic retinopathy and neural retina damage. Garlic consumption is suggested to enhance visual acuity by increasing ocular blood flow and shielding the neural retina from oxidative stress.

Garlic serves as a complementary treatment for diabetic retinopathy and has been demonstrated to improve outcomes when used alongside anti-VEGF therapy for DME. 10 11

Note: Garlic has anticoagulant and antihypertensive properties and may increase the tendency to bleed in susceptible patients. It is important to check with your doctor before adding garlic to your supplement regimen, especially if you are on blood-thinning medication or have a heart condition.

Cardiovascular Health

Garlic is beneficial for cardiovascular health, helping to maintain optimal levels of blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose. 12 One study revealed that consuming aged black garlic significantly improved eight different cardiovascular risk markers within just 12 weeks. 13 Another study found that aged black garlic increased HDL (good) cholesterol and reduced markers associated with heart disease. 14

Conclusion

Aged black garlic stands out as a potent superfood with extensive health benefits, particularly for cardiovascular and vision health. Its unique aging process enhances its medicinal properties, making it a valuable addition to a healthy diet. Whether you’re looking to improve your heart health, manage glaucoma, or support overall wellness, incorporating aged black garlic into your daily routine could be a game-changer. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any significant changes to your supplement regimen or diet.

New Research

Macular Degeneration and Melatonin — New Research

Recent research from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Cole Eye Institute suggests that melatonin may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In a cohort study involving 121,523 patients aged 50 and older with no prior history of AMD, taking melatonin was linked to a reduced risk of developing this eye condition. 15

Nitric Oxide and Glaucoma – New Research

A nitric oxide (NO)-donating prostaglandin analogue, NCX 470 0.1%, has been shown to be well-tolerated and more effective at lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) than latanoprost in patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. This finding comes from a study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology. 16 NO aids in reducing eye pressure by enhancing the outflow of vitreous humor. 17 18 Additionally, NO influences intercellular junctions and plays a crucial role in vascular permeability, which may contribute to reducing trabecular outflow resistance.19 20
Nitric oxide (NO) offers several benefits beyond eye health:

Cardiovascular Disease: NO improves conditions like angina pectoris and reverses ischemia. 21 As a potent vasodilator, NO acts as an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), leading to the relaxation of smooth vascular muscles. 22

Gastrointestinal Health: NO helps reduce gastrointestinal spasms. 23

Systemic Role: NO plays a crucial role in various organ systems, including the cardiovascular, urogenital, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and immune systems. It is involved in vasodilation of smooth muscle, angiogenesis, platelet aggregation, and even regulates bone formation in the musculoskeletal system. 24

NEW PRODUCTS

Age-Less Formula 2oz

Age-less Eye and Body Package

Aged Black Garlic 30 vcaps

Berberine GT 60 vegcaps (M54381)

SUPPLEMENTS

Nitric Oxide Supplement

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi1 20 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply

Resveratrol (Trans) w/Quercetin 60 vegcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Combination 2oz (60ml)

Dr. Grossman’s Blood Vessel Control Formula 2oz

Recommended Books

Natural Eye Care: Your Guide to Healthy Vision and Healing

Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Other Related Diseases Naturally

Natural Parkinson’s Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s

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  2. Ryu JH, Kang D. Physicochemical Properties, Biological Activity, Health Benefits, and General Limitations of Aged Black Garlic: A Review. Molecules. 2017 Jun 1;22(6). ↩
  3. Ahmed T, Wang CK. Black Garlic and Its Bioactive Compounds on Human Health Diseases: A Review. Molecules. 2021 Aug 19;26(16). ↩
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  6. Chu T. C., Ogidigben M., Han J. C., Potter D. E. Allicin-induced hypotension in rabbit eyes. Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics . 1993;9(3):201–209. doi: 10.1089/jop.1993.9.201. ↩
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  10. Lafuente M., Ortín L., Argente M., et al. Three-year outcomes in a randomized single-blind controlled trial of intravitreal ranibizumab and oral supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid and antioxidants for diabetic macular edema. Retina. 2019;39(6):1083–1090. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000002114 ↩
  11. Lafuente M., Ortín L., Argente M., et al. Combined intravitreal ranibizumab and oral supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid and antioxidants for diabetic macular edema: two-year randomized single-blind controlled trial results. Retina. 2017;37(7):1277–1286. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000001363. ↩
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  16. Fechtner R, Mansberger S, Branch J, Mulaney J, Ziebell S, Lopez K, Hubatsch D. A Randomized, Controlled Comparison of NCX 470, a Nitric Oxide-Donating Bimatoprost, and Latanoprost in Subjects with Open-Angle Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension: The MONT BLANC Study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2024 Mar 16;264:66-74. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2024.03.002. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38499140. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38499140/ ↩
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