Therapy
Garlic raises Lp(a) by 55% with long-term use over 12 weeks, though short-term use has no effect, a meta-analysis of 6 trials (Nutrition 2016)
Original title: Effect of garlic on plasma lipoprotein(a) concentrations: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
This systematic review and meta-analysis searched literature through 10 March 2015 to assess garlic effect on plasma Lp(a), pooling 6 randomised controlled trials. Overall, garlic consumption did not significantly alter Lp(a) (weighted mean difference 16.86%, 95% CI -4.59 to 38.31, P=0.124), robust in sensitivity analysis. Trials lasting 12 weeks or less showed no effect (weighted mean difference 2.01%, 95% CI -14.67 to 18.68, P=0.813), but trials lasting more than 12 weeks showed a significant Lp(a) increase (weighted mean difference 54.59%, 95% CI 30.47 to 78.71, P<0.001), with meta-regression confirming an inverse relationship between Lp(a) change and supplementation duration (slope 1.71, 95% CI 0.46-2.97, P=0.007). The findings show garlic supplementation does not significantly reduce Lp(a), and may even raise it substantially with longer-term use.
Original abstract
Objectives: Garlic can play an essential role in the prevention of atherosclerosis, but the research addressing the effect of garlic on the concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has not been fully demonstrated. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of garlic on plasma Lp(a) concentrations through systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials.
Methods: The literature search included SCOPUS, PubMed-Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases up to March 10, 2015 to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of garlic on plasma Lp(a) concentrations. Two independent reviewers extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes. Overall, the effect of garlic on plasma Lp(a) levels was reported in six trials.
Results: Meta-analysis did not suggest a significant alteration in plasma Lp(a) levels after garlic consumption (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 16.86%; 95% confidence interval, -4.59 to 38.31; P = 0.124). This result was robust in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis. When the studies were categorized according to the duration of supplementation, there was no effect in the subgroup of trials lasting ≤12 wk (WMD = 2.01%; 95% CI, -14.67 to 18.68; P = 0.813) but a significant elevation of plasma Lp(a) concentrations was found in trials lasting >12 wk (WMD = 54.59%; 95% CI, 30.47-78.71; P < 0.001). Random-effects meta-regression suggested an inverse association between the changes in plasma concentrations of Lp(a) and duration of supplementation (slope 1.71; 95% CI, 0.46-2.97; P = 0.007).
Conclusions: The present meta-analysis did not suggest a significant effect of garlic supplementation on the reduction of Lp(a) levels.
Summary written by lp-a.org from the published abstract; figures as published. Page updated 18 August 2026. Methods.