Each capsule of garlic powder contains Allicin 4200 mcg Alliin 9500 mcg Gamma glutamylcysteine 8400 mcg Thiosulphinate 4750 mcg Recommended Dosage One or two capsules three times a day. These garlic capsules are particularly high in concentrations of allicin, alliin and other sulphur compounds. The capsules are enteric-coated, which protects them from releasing their contents until they pass into the small intestine. This prevents release of odour during storage and to the user, who takes the capsules. Allicin is odorous and is considered to be the active component of garlic oil. Alliin is more or less odourless and is converted to allicin by the body or by the enzyme alliinase - when a clove of garlic is crushed. Garlic has many beneficial properties mostly connected with the immune and cardiovascular systems. Immune System and Antimicrobial Properties It acts as an immune system stimulator, and has potent anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-protozoal properties. The potency of anti-viral activity seems to be correlated to allicin and thiosulphinate content. In another study garlic was found to be more effective than nystatin against pathogenic fungi (Adetumbi MA, Lau BH, Med. Hypotheses, 12, 227-37, 1983) Cardiovascular System Garlic has hypotensive effects and inhibits platelet aggregation and lowers cholesterol levels. There are many peer-reviewed research papers, which have studied the effect of garlic on cardiovascular disease. Effects that have been noted are a decrease in LDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels, while HDL levels rose. Although in some cases significant reduction of lipids may be achieved in a few weeks, it can take several months to see these effects. Blood pressure reduction has been noted in many studies. In one study (Kiesewetter H., Jung F., Pindur G. et. al., Int J. Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 29, 151-5, 1991) spontaneous platelet aggregation was eliminated, skin circulation increased by an average of 47.6%, while diastolic blood pressure fell from 74 to 67 mm Hg. Another study found a drop of 15-mm Hg in diastolic pressure and a drop of 25 for the systolic pressure. Diabetes Garlic also has hypoglycemic effects. The active compounds appear to be allicin, and allyl propyl disulphide and perhaps-other compounds. Doses of active compounds derived from garlic, which have been used to treat hyperglycemia, have typically been quite high, e.g. 100 to 200 mg per kg body weight.