Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention.
Clin Nutr. 2012 Jun; 31(3):337-44.CN
BACKGROUND & AIMS
Earlier studies show that dietary bioactive compounds can modify proliferation of γδ-T cells. Garlic contains numerous compounds that have this potential and, in addition, has been shown to influence NK cell function. Our primary aim was to demonstrate that aged garlic extract could modify these immune cells.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel intervention study recruited 120 healthy subjects (60 per group) to determine the effect of aged garlic extract supplementation (2.56 g/d) on immune cell proliferation and cold and flu symptoms.
After 45 d of consuming an encapsulated aged garlic extract, γδ-T cells (p = 0.039, n = 56) and NK cells (p = 0.043, n = 56) were shown to proliferate better compared to placebo. After 90 d of supplementation, illness diary entries showed that the incidence of colds and flu, a secondary outcome, were not statistically different; however, the group consuming the aged garlic extract appeared to have reduced severity as noted by a reduction in the number of symptoms reported (21% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test of proportions), a reduction in the number of days (61% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test) and incidences (58% fewer p < 0.001, z-test) where the subjects functioned sub-optimally and the number of work/school days missed due to illness (58% fewer, p = 0.035, z-test).
These results suggest that supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu.
Aggregator Full Text
Nantz MP
Food Science and Human Nutrition Department, University of Florida, Box 110370, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Rowe CA
Muller CE
Creasy RA
Stanilka JM
Percival SS
AdultCells, CulturedCommon ColdDietary SupplementsDouble-Blind MethodFemaleFloridaGarlicHumansIncidenceInfluenza, HumanKiller Cells, NaturalMalePlant ExtractsPlant RootsReceptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-deltaSeasonsSeverity of Illness IndexT-LymphocytesYoung Adult
Clinical Trial Links
Clinical trial which this article describes
Nantz, Meri P., et al. "Supplementation With Aged Garlic Extract Improves Both NK and γδ-T Cell Function and Reduces the Severity of Cold and Flu Symptoms: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Nutrition Intervention." Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), vol. 31, no. 3, 2012, pp. 337-44.
Nantz MP, Rowe CA, Muller CE, et al. Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clin Nutr. 2012;31(3):337-44.
Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Muller, C. E., Creasy, R. A., Stanilka, J. M., & Percival, S. S. (2012). Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland), 31(3), 337-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2011.11.019
Nantz MP, et al. Supplementation With Aged Garlic Extract Improves Both NK and γδ-T Cell Function and Reduces the Severity of Cold and Flu Symptoms: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Nutrition Intervention. Clin Nutr. 2012;31(3):337-44. PubMed PMID: 22280901.
TY - JOUR T1 - Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. AU - Nantz,Meri P, AU - Rowe,Cheryl A, AU - Muller,Catherine E, AU - Creasy,Rebecca A, AU - Stanilka,Joy M, AU - Percival,Susan S, Y1 - 2012/01/24/ PY - 2011/09/15/received PY - 2011/10/30/revised PY - 2011/11/24/accepted PY - 2012/1/28/entrez PY - 2012/1/28/pubmed PY - 2012/10/10/medline SP - 337 EP - 44 JF - Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) JO - Clin Nutr VL - 31 IS - 3 N2 - BACKGROUND & AIMS: Earlier studies show that dietary bioactive compounds can modify proliferation of γδ-T cells. Garlic contains numerous compounds that have this potential and, in addition, has been shown to influence NK cell function. Our primary aim was to demonstrate that aged garlic extract could modify these immune cells. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel intervention study recruited 120 healthy subjects (60 per group) to determine the effect of aged garlic extract supplementation (2.56 g/d) on immune cell proliferation and cold and flu symptoms. RESULTS: After 45 d of consuming an encapsulated aged garlic extract, γδ-T cells (p = 0.039, n = 56) and NK cells (p = 0.043, n = 56) were shown to proliferate better compared to placebo. After 90 d of supplementation, illness diary entries showed that the incidence of colds and flu, a secondary outcome, were not statistically different; however, the group consuming the aged garlic extract appeared to have reduced severity as noted by a reduction in the number of symptoms reported (21% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test of proportions), a reduction in the number of days (61% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test) and incidences (58% fewer p < 0.001, z-test) where the subjects functioned sub-optimally and the number of work/school days missed due to illness (58% fewer, p = 0.035, z-test). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu. SN - 1532-1983 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/22280901/Supplementation_with_aged_garlic_extract_improves_both_NK_and_γδ_T_cell_function_and_reduces_the_severity_of_cold_and_flu_symptoms:_a_randomized_double_blind_placebo_controlled_nutrition_intervention_ L2 - https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0261-5614(11)00231-7 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -
Grapherence [↓40 ↑1]
Killer Cells, Natural
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
Severity of Illness Index
T-Lymphocytes
Aged Garlic Extract Modifies Human Immunity.
Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Consumption of cranberry polyphenols enhances human γδ-T cell proliferation and reduces the number of symptoms associated with colds and influenza: a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study.
Efficacy of an extract of North American ginseng containing poly-furanosyl-pyranosyl-saccharides for preventing upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial.
Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri PA 16/8, Bifidobacterium longum SP 07/3, B. bifidum MF 20/5 on common cold episodes: a double blind, randomized, controlled trial.
Reduction of serum lipids by the intake of the extract of garlic fermented with Monascus pilosus: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Enhancement of natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects by Immulina®, a Spirulina extract enriched for Braun-type lipoproteins.
[Reduction of influenza-like infections by a phytoextract-vitamin-combination: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study].
Efficacy of a pelargonium sidoides preparation in patients with the common cold: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Limited effect of eicosapentaenoic acid on T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers and functions in healthy young males.