garlic is benificial in my opinion for the fact that fish seem to love the smell and are enticed to eat, (I use this when fishing as well and can attest that my bite ratio goes up when I use garlic) here is some research showing the value of garlic as a detoxifier, (not medicine), I dont use it to feed my fish unless I have a reluctant eater.
GARLIC
its native organosulfurs boost levels of enzymes in the body that detoxify potential carcinogens. Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City found that substances in garlic significantly slacken the development of prostate-cancer cells. In studies on mice, garlic slowed the growth of
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, skin and colon cancers. The herb also contains allyl sulfides, which increase levels of glutathione S-transferase, helping to excrete carcinogens.
Raw garlic is strong and should not be eaten indiscriminately as gastric upset might occur, keep this in mind when your feeding it to your fish.
here is some more stuff on the benifets of garlic for the body
GARLIC (allium sativum)
Common Names: Stinking Rose, Poor Man’s Treacle
Plant Parts: bulb
Active Compounds: Garlic contains more than 200 chemical compounds.
Some of its more important ones include: volatile oil with sulphur-containing compounds: (allicin, alliin, and ajoene), and enzymes: (allinase, peroxidase and myrosinase). Allicin is what gives garlic its antibiotic properties and is responsible for its strong odor. Ajoene contributes to the anticoagulant action of garlic. Garlic also contains citral, geraniol, linalool, Aphellandrene and B phellandrene. The allyl contained in garlic is also found in several members of the onion family and is considered a very valuable therapeutic compound.
Pharmacology: The allicins contained in garlic have a fibrinolytic activity which reduces platelet aggregation by inhibiting prostaglandin E2. Allivium sativum has also exerted some effect on glucose tolerance for both hypo-and hyperglycemia by reducing insulin require-ments to control blood sugar. The compounds contained in garlic have also demonstrated their ability to lower total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels while elevating HDL levels. LDL synthesis is suppressed by garlic. Garlic allicins have also acted as a larvacide and bacteriostat, active against gram-positive or gram-negative microorganisms. In addition, the compounds can destroy certain fungi such as Candida albicans. Several other microbes are effected by garlic, including some viruses. Most researchers agree that the sulfur containing compounds of garlic, especially allicin, alliin, cy-croalliin, and dialllyldisulphide are the most biochemically active. In addition, certain unidentified substances of garlic will probably emerge as other therapeutic agents.
(Note: Before a bulb of garlic is crushed or chopped, it contains relatively few medically active compounds. Once it is cut, however, chemical reactions take place which create dozens of new compounds.)
Vitamin and Mineral Content: B-vitamins especially B-1, vitamin C, vitamin A, flavonoids, ascorbic acid, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, selenium, calcium, magnesium, germanium, sodium, iron, manganese and trace iodine. Seventeen amino acids are found in garlic, including eight essential ones.
Character: antibiotic, antihistamine, anticoagulant, expectorant, antibacterial, antiparasitic, alterative, diaphoretic, diuretic , expectorant, stimulant, antispasmodic, promotes sweating, lowers blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure Body Systems Targeted: respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and nervous systems.
Raw garlic is strong and should not be eaten indiscriminately as gastric upset might occur, keep this in mind when your feeding it to your fish.
