Effect of Garlic, Ginger, and Exercise on Lipid Profile in Healthy Postmenopausal Women

摘要

Abstract: Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant health problem and attains one of the highest susceptibilities among women population. It risks women of every age, but it is more evident after the onset of menopause. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the effect of garlic, ginger extracts alone and with aerobic exercise on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in post-menopausal women. Methods: A total of 160 post-menopausal women aged (50-60 years) fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomly recruited equally into four groups: G=1. Garlic supplement, G=2. Ginger supplement, G3=Ginger +aerobic exercises, G4=Garlic +aerobic exercise group. Baseline body mass index (BMI), body fat %, and lipid profile took before and after 16 weeks. The Ginger group used ginger extract 1000 mg/day and garlic group used 900mg/day; G3 used the same amount of garlic with aerobic exercise, Group 4 used the same amount of ginger with aerobic exercise. Combined groups performed aerobic exercises at 50-60% heart rate intensity, 30min/days for five times/week. Results: Body weight, body mass index and body fat %, level of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride significantly reduced in the combination therapy of garlic and exercise versus any single treatment group (p0.05). Moreover, the garlic demonstrated superior effects vs. ginger alone (p0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that 16 weeks of combination therapy of garlic and exercise were found useful in CVD prevention. However, ginger alone failed to demonstrate any significant effects.