Sexual Enhancement Food -Garlic

Garlic has always been known as an sexual enhancer and from a medical point of view it can improve blood circulation significantly. Now it appears that an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is primarily responsible for the mechanism of erection. Studies have recently shown that garlic in certain forms can stimulate the production of NOS particularly in individuals who have low levels of this enzyme.(The function of the most famous drug viagra is to produce NO,which is responsible for blood flow to penis).

NO is produced from arginine by NO synthase (NOS) which can exist in both constitutive (calcium-dependent, caNOS) and inducible (calcium-independent: ciNOS) isoforms.

Tetrahydrobiopterin, an essential co-factor for NOS, is synthesised from GTP by GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH-I). The many actions of NO include inhibitor of platelet aggregation and lowering of blood pressure. When too little NO is produced by the body, this can lead to hypertension, angina and impotence. Overproduction of NO can result in circulatory shock, stroke and inflammation

Recent studies have shown that NOS activities are decreased in placental tissues of pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and growth retardation

Garlic is thought to have a variety of therapeutic applications including inhibition of platelet aggregation. Many of the therapeutic actions of garlic parallel the physiological effects of nitric oxide and may be explained by its ability to increase nitric oxide synthase activity intracellularly.

Garlic is a potent antioxidant that has been found to inhibit tumor cell formation and is currently being studied by the National Cancer Institute. It may be effective in fighting stomach, skin and colon cancer.

Modern day research helps explain the broad applications of this "miracle" herb. Garlic bulbs contain the amino acid allicin. When crushed, allicin is released. This chemical element is the component that gives Garlic its strong odor and is responsible for the powerful pharmacological properties of the plant. One medium clove of Garlic can equal the antibacterial action equivalent to 1% penicillin.

Furthermore, garlic increases the activity of white blood cells and T-helper cells (natural killer cells), the cells that are central to the activity of the entire immune system.