Allicin and Garlic

The sulfur compound allicin has traditionally been credited for garlic's beneficial effects. However, this may not entirely be the case. Allicin is no doubt partially responsible for garlic's benefits. But many other substances may act individually or synergistically to produce benefits.

Dallas Clouatre, Ph.D., says, "The general public has been led to believe that all of the primary active constituents are in the lipophilic fractions of garlic, e.g., alliin, allicin, ajoene, etc. This is contrary to the scientific findings-it has been known for more than a decade that the odorless water-soluble fractions of garlic are equal to the oil-soluble fractions in their effects."

The allicin balloon is further deflated by comments found in John Heinerman's The Healing Benefits of Garlic. He cites the sulfur compounds (such as allicin), but also adenosine, as having beneficial effects. He mentions that allicin is extremely unstable and may not be what it is thought to be: ". don't be persuaded that just because a particular garlic product claims it contains significant amounts of allicin, this makes it superior to others without it."