New reports now reveal that the harmful effects of asbestos may be reduced by a simple household foodstuff: garlic.

Garlic has now been reported to have the ability to reduce the carcinogenicity of asbestos. This conclusion was reached after several studies were conducted on the effects of garlic on asbestos in India.

Asbestos fibers have long been a known carcinogen, and despite this asbestos was once a common component of building materials ranging from tiles to siding to insulation.

Individuals who inhale or ingest asbestos fibers may live for decades before exhibiting asbestos disease symptoms, such as chronic chest pain, the presence of fluid within the chest cavity and a lingering cough. Asbestos fibers can situate themselves within the mesothelium, or lining of the body’s internal organs, where they may eventually form a malignancy known as mesothelioma cancer.

According to these “garlic” studies, asbestos can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are ions or very small molecules that have unpaired electrons and can lead to biological damage. Common ROS include free radicals and peroxides.

Antioxidants can reduce asbestos-induced ROS release. Garlic contains many compounds that act as antioxidants. The studies found that many of the sulfur rich compounds in garlic increased the activity of various enzymes which in turn reduced the carcinogenicity of asbestos.

One study revealed that one compound found in garlic protects mesothelial cells against asbestos-induced genotoxicity. Another study concluded that garlic extract reduced the carcinogenic potential of chrysotile asbestos in human blood cells.

Although the data shows that there is a link between reduced carcinogenic ability in asbestos and garlic, it has not yet been made clear if this link can be further explored to create medicines or new viable treatment options for people suffering from asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.

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