Scientific Data with Garlic?

PoggiPJ · 08/06/2011, 04:05 PM

I've been looking but unable to find any discussions containing scientific, demonstrable test results regarding the nutritional and/or medicinal benefits of garlic. Can anyone point me to anything either here in Reef Central or anywhere else online?

b0bab0ey · 08/06/2011, 06:03 PM

I don't think you'll find hard concrete evidence regarding garlic. It's just a theory. Some people say it's just b/s.

PoggiPJ · 08/06/2011, 09:02 PM

So no formal studies, with controls.... just anecdotal. That's too bad.

MrTuskfish · 08/07/2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoggiPJ

I've been looking but unable to find any discussions containing scientific, demonstrable test results regarding the nutritional and/or medicinal benefits of garlic. Can anyone point me to anything either here in Reef Central or anywhere else online?

Excellent question! I'll be following along.

snorvich · 08/07/2011, 10:06 AM

Yes, that is true, only anecdotal. If you want to search try Google Scholar.

MrTuskfish · 08/07/2011, 02:32 PM

My comments here are purely anecdotal at this time , defeating the purpose of this long over-due (IMO) discussion. I have seen, and will try to find, a study that seemed to validate the idea that garlic (in pure form, or some part of the garlic) stimulated the appetite in SW fish, and thus, helped the fish's immune system.. I can't imagine the how this data could be collected in any scientific form. The finding certainly isn't surprising; almost all pet foods contain garlic. IMO, the Folk Lore took over from there and now garlic is said to do everything. I am not in the group that believes that, but try to keep an open mind and would love to see some real studies. When I hear someone tell a hobbyist with a very sick fish, to "feed garlic", I cringe. I'll dig around and ask some folks who should know the real poop on any real documentation of miracle garlic. Thanks for bring it up; I love controversial topics from time to time.
EDIT: I think this article contains the questionable study I referred to above:http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php

b0bab0ey · 08/07/2011, 03:18 PM

OK, here's my two or three cents:

Personally, I've heard/read two competing theories on garlic: 1) It stimulates a fish's appetite, and thus, helps to naturally bolster the fish's immune system. 2) Garlic seeps back out through a fish's pores and onto the skin, making it an undesirable host for Ich/parasites/diseases.

Both theories seem logical to me, esp the 2nd one. If you've ever been around someone who eats lots of garlic, it's enough to drive anything off. I use garlic from time to time, but just for the hell of it. Honestly, I've never cured a fish of Ich using just garlic. I might start with garlic but it always ends with copper, for better or for worse.

The bottom line is this: While garlic might not help, I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt. So while I don't advocate putting all your stock in it, if it seems to work for you, keep right on using it!

MrTuskfish · 08/08/2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b0bab0ey

OK, here's my two or three cents:

Personally, I've heard/read two competing theories on garlic: 1) It stimulates a fish's appetite, and thus, helps to naturally bolster the fish's immune system. 2) Garlic seeps back out through a fish's pores and onto the skin, making it an undesirable host for Ich/parasites/diseases.

Both theories seem logical to me, esp the 2nd one. If you've ever been around someone who eats lots of garlic, it's enough to drive anything off. I use garlic from time to time, but just for the hell of it. Honestly, I've never cured a fish of Ich using just garlic. I might start with garlic but it always ends with copper, for better or for worse.

The bottom line is this: While garlic might not help, I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt. So while I don't advocate putting all your stock in it, if it seems to work for you, keep right on using it!

There are a couple of the pretend "reef-safe" parasite cures that are nothing more than a pepper sauce. I suppose that is similar to the garlic smell theory. IMO & IME; neither work.
I think garlic; like UV, cleaner shrimp, etc., can hurt the fish's chances of survival because they give the hobbyist a temporary false sense of security and delay real treatment. There are some very good hobbyists (IMO) who are real believers in garlic; maybe there on to something. But if this were the case, there would be scientific studies all over the place and garlic-based meds would be patented & promoted by the industry. This isn't the case..

PoggiPJ · 08/14/2011, 10:58 AM

This is as I suspected. Thank you all.

08/06/2011, 04:05 PM	#1
PoggiPJ Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 293	Scientific Data with Garlic? I've been looking but unable to find any discussions containing scientific, demonstrable test results regarding the nutritional and/or medicinal benefits of garlic. Can anyone point me to anything either here in Reef Central or anywhere else online? __________________ Pete Poggi, Gaithersburg, Maryland Current Tank Info: Working on a new 180 Build to replace my 220.

08/06/2011, 09:02 PM	#3
PoggiPJ Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 293	So no formal studies, with controls.... just anecdotal. That's too bad. __________________ Pete Poggi, Gaithersburg, Maryland Current Tank Info: Working on a new 180 Build to replace my 220.

08/07/2011, 10:06 AM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Yes, that is true, only anecdotal. If you want to search try Google Scholar. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

08/07/2011, 02:32 PM	#6
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	My comments here are purely anecdotal at this time , defeating the purpose of this long over-due (IMO) discussion. I have seen, and will try to find, a study that seemed to validate the idea that garlic (in pure form, or some part of the garlic) stimulated the appetite in SW fish, and thus, helped the fish's immune system.. I can't imagine the how this data could be collected in any scientific form. The finding certainly isn't surprising; almost all pet foods contain garlic. IMO, the Folk Lore took over from there and now garlic is said to do everything. I am not in the group that believes that, but try to keep an open mind and would love to see some real studies. When I hear someone tell a hobbyist with a very sick fish, to "feed garlic", I cringe. I'll dig around and ask some folks who should know the real poop on any real documentation of miracle garlic. Thanks for bring it up; I love controversial topics from time to time. EDIT: I think this article contains the questionable study I referred to above:http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/index.php __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef Last edited by MrTuskfish; 08/07/2011 at 02:39 PM.

08/14/2011, 10:58 AM	#9
PoggiPJ Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 293	This is as I suspected. Thank you all. __________________ Pete Poggi, Gaithersburg, Maryland Current Tank Info: Working on a new 180 Build to replace my 220.

08/06/2011, 06:03 PM	#2
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	I don't think you'll find hard concrete evidence regarding garlic. It's just a theory. Some people say it's just b/s.

08/07/2011, 03:18 PM	#7
b0bab0ey Moved On Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 2,564	OK, here's my two or three cents: Personally, I've heard/read two competing theories on garlic: 1) It stimulates a fish's appetite, and thus, helps to naturally bolster the fish's immune system. 2) Garlic seeps back out through a fish's pores and onto the skin, making it an undesirable host for Ich/parasites/diseases. Both theories seem logical to me, esp the 2nd one. If you've ever been around someone who eats lots of garlic, it's enough to drive anything off. I use garlic from time to time, but just for the hell of it. Honestly, I've never cured a fish of Ich using just garlic. I might start with garlic but it always ends with copper, for better or for worse. The bottom line is this: While garlic might not help, I'm pretty sure it doesn't hurt. So while I don't advocate putting all your stock in it, if it seems to work for you, keep right on using it!

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