Chapter 1

Introduction

Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium.

Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and Allium chinense. With a history of

several thousand years of human consumption and use, garlic is native to the region between

the Mediterranean and China, and has long been a common seasoning worldwide. It was known

to Ancient Egyptians, and has been used both as a food flavoring and as a traditional medicine

Garlic (Allium sativum), a herb used widely as a flavoring in cooking, has also been used as a

medicine throughout ancient and modern history to prevent and treat a wide range of conditions

and diseases( Gibbs,2014).

Garlic belongs to the onion genus Allium, and is closely related to the onion, rakkyo,

chive, leek, and shallot. It has been used by humans for thousands of years and was used in

Ancient Egypt for both culinary purposes and its health and therapeutic benefits. Garlic has been

used all over the world for thousands of years. Records indicate that garlic was in use when the

Giza pyramids were built, about five thousand years ago.

. Rivlin(2015) wrote in the Journal of Nutrition that the ancient Greek physician

Hippocrates (circa. 460-370 BC), known today as "the father of Western medicine", prescribed

garlic for a wide range of conditions and illnesses. Hippocrates promoted the use of garlic for

treating respiratory problems, parasites, poor digestion and fatigue.

Garlic is a popular ingredient in cooking and may also have some health benefits.

The original Olympic athletes in Ancient Greece were given garlic - possibly the earliest

example of "performance enhancing" agents used in sports.

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 From Ancient Egypt garlic spread to the advanced ancient civilizations of the Indus

Valley (Pakistan and western India today). From there it made its way to China.

Throughout history in the Middle East, East Asia and Nepal, garlic has been used to treat

bronchitis, hypertension (high blood pressure), TB (tuberculosis), liver

disorders, dysentery,flatulence, colic, intestinal worms, rheumatism, diabetes, and fevers.

The French, Spanish and Portuguese introduced garlic to the New World.

Rivlin found it interesting that several cultures in history that were never in contact with one

another had similar conclusions regarding the therapeutic benefits of garlic.

Garlic is widely used for several conditions linked to the blood system and heart,

including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high cholesterol, heart attack, coronary heart

disease and hypertension National Library of Medicine(2012) .

Garlic is also used today by some people for lung cancer, prostate cancer, breast

cancer, stomach cancer, rectal cancer, colon cancer and type 2 diabetes..

In the Philippines, according to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of

Science and Technology 8th National Nutrition Survey, diabetes prevalence based on fasting

blood sugar has risen from 3.4 percent in 2003 to 5.4 percent in 2013. The greatest numbers of

Filipinos with diabetes are 50 to 69 years of age and wealthy, and live in urban areas.

Not surprising since type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is both a genetic and a lifestyle disease

linked to aging, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, obesity and urbanization.

About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have T2DM. Risk factors include: age at

or above 30 years, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels,

polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational or pregnancy-related diabetes, intake of certain drugs,

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and sleep deprivation. People who were born premature, too heavy (>/= 8 pounds) or too small

are also at risk for T2DM.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impairment in insulin secretion or action, which can

lead to high blood sugar. High blood sugar can wreak havoc in the body’s circulation and

immune system leading to infections, blindness, kidney failure, leg amputation, heart attacks and

strokes.

Filipinos are especially prone to T2DM compared to other races. In fact, Filipinos get

diabetes and problems like hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease at a lower body mass

index (BMI) compared to Caucasians.

A person’s BMI is calculated by dividing one’s body weight in kilograms by the square

of one’s height in meters. A BMI of 25 and above is considered overweight for Caucasians,

while a BMI of 23 and above is the cutoff for Asians.

One possible reason for the higher T2DM risk is that Filipinos have more visceral fat

despite having similar BMIs or waistlines as their Caucasian counterparts. Visceral fat is the

nasty fat inside the belly stored in or around the internal organs such as the liver, pancreas and

intestines, which can lead to defective insulin action.

In studies done in North America, Filipino migrants have even been found to have higher

rates of T2DM compared to other Asians such as the Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

To add insult to injury, studies suggest that Filipinos may also have more diabetes complications

like eye and kidney disease compared to other races. But Pinoys need not sulk about getting the

short end of the stick. Filipino or not, you can cut your diabetes risk. Just eat right, move more,

stay trim, sleep well, stress less and get checked.

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 The researchers, who published their study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research,

had carried out face-to-face interviews with 1,424 lung cancer patients as well as 4,543 healthy

individuals. They were asked about their diet and lifestyle habits, which included questions on

their smoking habits and how often they ate garlic.

The study authors wrote "Protective association between intake of raw garlic and lung

cancer has been observed with a dose-response pattern, suggesting that garlic may potentially

serve as a chemo-preventive agent for lung cancer."

Organo-sulfur compounds found in garlic have been identified as effective in destroying

the cells in glioblastomas, a type of deadly brain tumor.

Scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina reported in the journal Cancer that

three pure organo-sulfur compounds from garlic - DAS, DADS and DATS - "demonstrated

efficacy in eradicating brain cancer cells, but DATS proved to be the most effective".

Ray Swapan, (2013) stated that"This research highlights the great promise of plant-originated

compounds as natural medicine for controlling the malignant growth of human brain tumor

cells," Ray said. "More studies are needed in animal models of brain tumors before application of

this therapeutic strategy to brain tumor patients."

Women whose diets were rich in allium vegetables had lower levels of osteoarthritis, a

team at King's College London and the University of East Anglia, both in England, reported in

the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. Examples of allium vegetables include garlic,

leeks, shallots, onions and rakkyo.

The study authors said their findings not only highlighted the possible impact of diet on

osteoarthritis outcomes, but also demonstrated the potential for using compounds that exist in

garlic to develop treatments for the condition.

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 The long-term study, involving more than 1,000 healthy female twins, found that those

whose dietary habits included plenty of fruit and vegetables, "particularly alliums such as garlic",

had fewer signs of early osteoarthritis in the hip joint.

Diallyl sulfide, a compound in garlic, was 100 times more effective than two popular

antibiotics in fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, according to a study published in the

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

The Campylobacter bacterium is one of the most common causes of intestinal infections.

Senior author(, Lu, 2013) "This work is very exciting to me because it shows that this compound

has the potential to reduce disease-causing bacteria in the environment and in our food supply."

Heart protection

Diallyl trisulfide, a component of garlic oil, helps protect the heart during cardiac surgery

and after a heart attack, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine found. They also

believe diallyl trisulfide could be used as a treatment for heart failure.Hydrogen sulfide gas has

been shown to protect the heart from damage. However, it is a volatile compound and difficult to

deliver as therapy. Hence, the scientists decided to focus on diallyl trisulfide, a garlic oil

component, as a safer way to deliver the benefits of hydrogen sulfide to the heart.

In animal experiments using laboratory mice, the team found that after a heart attack the

mice that had received diallyl sulfide had 61% less heart damage in an area of risk, compared to

the untreated mice.

The team presented their findings at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific

Sessions conference in Orlando, Florida in November, 2011.

However , Cardiomyopathy is a group of diseases that affect the heart

muscle(Thomas,2012) Early on there may be few or no symptoms. Some people may have

5
shortness of breath, feel tired, or have swelling of the legs due to heart failure. An irregular heart

beat may occur as well as fainting. Those affected are at an increased risk of sudden cardiac

death.

Types of cardiomyopathy include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy,

restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, and broken heart

syndrome. In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy the heart muscle enlarges and thickens. In dilated

cardiomyopathy the ventricles enlarge and weaken. In restrictive cardiomyopathy the ventricle

stiffens(Dezcanzo,2013).

The cause is frequently unknown. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is often and dilated

cardiomyopathy in a third of cases, is inherited from a person's parents. Dilated cardiomyopathy

may also result from alcohol, heavy metals, coronary heart disease, cocaine use, and viral

infections. Restrictive cardiomyopathy may be caused by amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, and

some cancer treatments. Broken heart syndrome is caused by extreme emotional or physical

stress(Heartz,2013).

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the common practices of Filipinos in using Bawang in

treating Hypertension .

Specifically , it will answer the following questions:

1. What are the common practices in using bawang in treating hypertension?

2. What are the beliefs of Filipino regarding bawang as an effective treatment of

hypertension?

3. How may the study benefits the person with hypertension?

Scope and Limitations

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 The study determine the common practices of Filipinos in using Bawang in treating

Hypertension . The study used the descriptive types of research using library research, internet

research to justify the findings of the study. The study also utilized ten(10) residents in

Cabanatuan City to ask the effects of garlic in lowering hypertension

It was conducted during the school year of 2016-2017.

Significant of the Study

The study is significant to the Filipino with problems in hypertension, it will be a great

significant for them to have knowledge about the importance of garlic and the possible effect to

the humans especially to their heart. It will also give understanding about the different ways in

treating hypertension

Definition of terms

The following terms are operationally defined

Garlic - “Bawang “- in Filipino word , a simple and known household use for cooking .

Hypertension . the term refers to the immediate or sudden increase of blood pressures or in

general a high blood pressures

SURVEY (DOCUMENTED EVIDENCES)

This study on common practices of Filipinos in using Bawang in treating Hypertension

made use of the descriptive survey method to describe the existing condition.

Sevilla, et al., (1992) stated that descriptive survey method is used to clearly describe the

present condition or the nature of situation. This includes the collection of data in order to test

hypothesis or to answer questions on the current status of the subject of the study.

The researchers used simple random sampling procedure in the selection of the respondents of

the study. A total of 10 respondents were utilized in the study

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 A letter of request were submitted to the on the thesis adviser to allow the researcher to

conduct interview and distribute the questionnaires to the 10 residents of Cabanatuan city .

Copies of questionnaires were distributed by the researcher to the respondents. To fully

understand the objectives of the survey, the cover letter will serve as their guide in answering the

questionnaires. They are encouraged to give their sincere and honest opinion

Statistical Treatment

After the data were gathered, the table are constructed for data analysis and interpretation.

The formulas are as follow.

Frequency Count and Percentage. These are use to analyze the data gathered on profile of the

respondents as to age, and gender.

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 Chapter 2

Presentation of Data

1. Common Practices of the Filipino in treating hypertension

Based on the survey conducted majority of the respondents admitted that they use

bawang in the treatment of hypertension by means of the following procedures

One hundred percent (100%) admitted that they use bawang in the treatment of

hypertension by means of eating either raw or cooked form garlic which helps in reducing

cholesterol level. They utilize or eating 1 – 2 slightly crushed cloves of garlic regularly. As

crushed garlic cloves generate hydrogen sulfide, which helps in promoting good flow of blood,

decreases the pressure on the heart and gets rid of gas. Another way of them in reducing

hypertension is they take 5 to 6 drops of garlic juice mixed with 4 teaspoons of water two times

a day for better results.

Garlic extract is potent natural remedy for lowering blood pressure, and the use of garlic

for high blood pressure (also called hypertension) has been around for millennia. Hypertension

affects 70 million Americans, including about 65% of the population that is 65 years old and

greater

The most common high-blood pressure drugs include beta-blockers, angiotensin

converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, diuretics, and blood thinners, but they come with a variety

of side effects, so it’s no wonder that many people turn to natural remedies for hypertension.

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 Garlic is an effective natural treatment to lower blood pressure, and there is research to

back that up. For example, in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study published in

the journal Integrated Blood Pressure Control in January 2016, researchers from the National

Institute in Melbourne found that an aged garlic extract was as effective as the standard blood

pressure medication for hypertensive patients. In the study, 88 uncontrolled hypertensive patients

received either an aged garlic extract or a placebo. Besides blood pressure, the aged garlic extract

was also shown to benefit total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”)

cholesterol. The authors noted that aged garlic extract also has the potential to improve

inflammation, arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular markers in patients with high blood

pressure. Previous studies also suggest that aged garlic extract is more effective than a placebo

for lowering systolic blood pressure in those with uncontrolled hypertension.The Mechanism of

How Garlic Works to Lower Blood Pressure

The process behind how garlic works to lower blood pressure is fairly simple. Garlic

contains sulfides, specifically, an organosulfur compound called allicin—the antihypertensive

abilities are largely due to this main active ingredient. Allicin is found in aged garlic extract, but

it’s also formed when fresh garlic is crushed or chopped—but that’s the only way you can get it

out of fresh garlic. Garlic also contains an organic compound called S-Allyl cysteine (SAC),

which may have cholesterol-lowering effects.

Garlic-derived polysulfides are known to enhance endothelial nitric oxide (an enzyme

that helps protect the cardiovascular system) and stimulate the production of hydrogen sulfide, a

vascular gasotransmitter (a gaseous molecule that sends chemical signals which trigger changes

in the body). Basically, this reduces blood pressure and induces vasodilation, which allows the

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blood vessels or the smooth muscle cells to relax. It’s thought that sulfur deficiency may also

play a part in the development of hypertension.

Aged garlic extract is also not known to interact with blood pressure-lowering or blood-

thinning drugs. Allicin and its Benefits

Allicin is thought to lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, reducing damage

and pressure. The compound also interferes with smoothly contracting muscles and enzyme

effects that increase blood pressure, and, on top of its antihypertensive ability, is responsible for

the potent antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-blood coagulation, lipid-lowering, and anti-cancer

activity in garlic.

There is a lot of clinical research on the benefits of allicin. Besides treating high blood

pressure, allicin has been found to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides,

while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. As a result, allicin may improve the

circulatory system overall, which may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Allicin may also

help prevent of cancer, the common cold, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease. The

antiviral ability of allicin allows it to fight bacteria such as drug-resistant staph infections.

Allicin/Garlic Supplements Facts

Here are a few more facts about benefits of garlic, allicin, and aged garlic

supplementation:

Some research has noted in garlic supplementation studies that certain garlic brands

release less than 15% of their allicin potential. This low release is due to impaired alliinase (an

enzyme in garlic that eventually becomes allicin) activity caused by slow tablet disintegration. If,

however, tablets disintegrated quickly, then there was a high alliinase activity and subsequently a

greater release of allicin.

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 Powdered allicin extract is considered the best way to benefit from a standard and stable

amount of allicin that is bioavailable for the body.

When buying allicin or aged garlic extract products, a standardized amount should be

defined in milligrams (mg) or micrograms (mcg).

If allicin products are not available, choose enteric-coated garlic products that contain

some amount of allicin.

Kyolic’s aged garlic extract will contain SAC, which contains some of allicin’s benefits

in a reduced potency.

2. Beliefs of Filipino regarding bawang as an effective treatment of hypertension?

Based on the results of the study , one hundred percent (100%) of the respondents

admitted that , Garlic or Bawang (Allium sativum L.) has been used as a spice, food, and

medicine for over 5,000 years, and is one of the earliest documented herbs utilized for the

maintenance of health and treatment of disease. Under its name, numerous list of traditional

health benefits are claimed. Bawang contains antibacterial compound known as Allicin, Because

of this bawang or garlic is known as nature's antibiotic. Bawang juice inhibits the growth of

fungi and viruses thus prevents viral yeast and viral infections. Preliminary test shows Bawang to

have some positive results in the treatment of AIDS

The Philippine Department of Health has endorsed Bawang as an alternative herbal

medicine for its anti bacterial properties and its efficacy for controlling hypertension, blood

cholesterol and blood sugar for diabetics among others. Bawang - Antiinfectious: Antibacterial,

antifungal, antiparasitic. Bawang juice is applied to the afflicted area. Scientifically ajoene 0.4%

cream when applied topically, has been found 70% effective in certain dermatologic fungal

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infections. A 0.6% gel was effective in tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Among others uses of

garlic or bawang in the Phillipines were Antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity when

included in diet. Hypertension: Bawang when eaten or chewed raw. Studies suggest ingestion of

Bawang has beneficial antihypertensive effect but blood-lowering effects probably not dramatic.

Other studies show a vascular benefit through improvement of aortic elasticity and possible

slowing of the rate of atherosclerosis progression Hyperlipidemia: Bawang eaten or chewed raw

is found to lower blood cholesterol. Though still controversial, but probably has beneficial effect

on serum cholesterol and LDL levels. Some studies have shown a 4% to 12% lowering of total

cholesterol. Bawang seems to have no effect on high density lipoprotein (HDL).

Bawang is studied to have possible anticarcinogenic properties, specifically for colon,

stomach and prostate cancers. In stomach cancers, probably through its inhibitory effect on H.

pylori. In epidemiologic studies on stomach and colorectal cancer prevention, the garlic use was

3.5 grams to 30 grams of fresh or cooked garlic per week.

A new study has found that consuming garlic could help reduce levels of blood sugar in

people suffering from type 2 diabetes, as well as offering other benefits in the treatment of the

metabolic condition. Although the research recommends using garlic for reducing blood sugar

levels only under the guidance of your doctor, it could provide a range of benefits for diabetics in

conjunction with their usual treatments of insulin and diet(Sverson,2004).

It is know that garlic contains more than 400 chemical components, many of which can

help prevent and treat a diverse range of health problems, but it is compounds including allicin,

allyl propyl disulfide and S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide that raise insulin levels in the blood through

the prevention of the liver's inactivation of insulin, so that more insulin is available in the body

(Zaglavara,2004).

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 The scientists found that moderate amounts of garlic supplements could offer benefits to

diabetes patients, and that raw or cooked garlic or aged garlic extract can help to regulate blood

glucose and potentially stop or lower the effects of some diabetes complications, as well as

fighting infections, reducing bad cholesterol and aiding blood flow(Scognamiglio,2014).

However, it is advised that the consumption of garlic could cause side effects for some

people, or for those taking it in extreme amounts.

2. Benefits the person with Hypertension

The use of garlic dates back to ancient times -- it has been used for many purposes, including

as a means to treat heart disease. Garlic is still used by many to lower blood pressure, but the

preparation and amount affects its blood pressure-lowering potential.

Allicin for High Blood Pressure

Although several studies show that garlic lowers blood pressure, the exact mechanism of how

it does so warrants more study, according to researchers of a study published in Nutrition

Research in 2014. Allicin is a highly unstable and reactive compound in garlic. It is an active

ingredient associated with garlic's blood pressure-lowering effect, especially in those who have

high blood pressure or hypertension. Researchers of a review study published in 2008 in BMC

Cardiovascular Disorders concluded that the higher the starting blood pressure, the greater the

reduction in the blood pressure after treatment with garlic.

According to the Linus Pauling Institute, when you crush, chop or chew raw fresh garlic, an

enzyme called alliinase is released, which starts a series of reactions resulting in the formation of

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allicin. Raw fresh or dried garlic may provide you with the most allicin. The allicin potential

decreases with age or heat-treatment of the garlic. Researchers say that due to the instability of

allicin, forms of garlic other than fresh raw or dried garlic, such as aged or cooked garlic, may

have less allicin-forming potential. The instability of allicin is also the reason pure allicin is not

available as a supplement.

Researchers of a study published in 2013 in Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

divided individuals diagnosed with hypertension into groups, each with a different dosage of

garlic -- 300, 600, 900, 1200 or 1500 milligrams of garlic per day -- or a placebo or blood

pressure medication. They found that all the garlic dosages decreased blood pressure

comparatively as much as the blood pressure medicine did, and that there was a greater reduction

in blood pressure with the higher doses of garlic and with a longer duration of treatment. In the

review in BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, the authors found that most of the studies that showed

garlic’s blood pressure-lowering effect used a dosage of 600 to 900 milligrams of garlic per day.

In order to lower blood pressure by consuming 1/3 to 1 1/2 grams of fresh raw or dried

garlic daily. Since most garlic cloves are about 3 grams, this is equivalent to 1/10 to 1/2 a garlic

clove daily. The blood pressure may be lowered more if you eat more.

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 Chapter 3
Summary

The study determine the common practices of Filipinos in using Bawang in treating

Hypertension . The study used the descriptive types of research using library research, internet

research to justify the findings of the study. The study also utilized ten(10) residents in

Cabanatuan City to ask the effects of garlic in lowering hypertension

It was conducted during the school year of 2016-2017.

Conclusions

Based on the survey conducted majority of the respondents admitted that they use

bawang in the treatment of hypertension by means of the following procedures, One hundred

percent (100%) admitted that they use bawang in the treatment of hypertension by means of

eating either raw or cooked form garlic which helps in reducing cholesterol level. They utilize or

eating 1 – 2 slightly crushed cloves of garlic regularly. As crushed garlic cloves generate

hydrogen sulfide, which helps in promoting good flow of blood, decreases the pressure on the

heart and gets rid of gas. Another way of them in reducing hypertension is they take 5 to 6 drops

of garlic juice mixed with 4 teaspoons of water two times a day for better results.

Recommendations

1. People should eat garlic at least once a day to lower their hypertension
2. People should foster clean living so that hypertension will be avoided

16
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