Garlic supplements and Lipitor are both commonly used to manage high cholesterol levels. Lipitor is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as statins. Statins work by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. Garlic supplements, on the other hand, are available over-the-counter and are often used as a natural alternative to prescription medications. Garlic contains compounds that may help lower cholesterol levels.
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that statins like Lipitor are much more effective at lowering cholesterol levels than garlic supplements [3]. The study involved over 200 participants with high cholesterol levels who were randomly assigned to take either a garlic supplement or a statin for six months. The results showed that the statin group had a much greater reduction in LDL cholesterol levels than the garlic supplement group.
While garlic supplements may have some benefits for overall heart health, they should not be used as a substitute for prescription medications like Lipitor. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or medication regimen.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2997463/
[3] https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/11/06/1134094540/statins-vs-supplements-new-study-finds-one-is-vastly-superior-to-cut-cholesterol