| The
research group found a specific antifungal and believe that diallyl disulfide
is the active constituent as garlic oils with higher quantities of diallyl
disulfide showed significant inhibitory activity. The likelihood of inhibiting
the growth of yeasts and bacteria tested increased with an increase in
the amount of diallyl disulfide. Piscitelli and colleagues reported that
chronic ingestion of concentrated garlic capsules can decrease plasma saquinavir
concentrations by more than 50%. (3) HIV-positive people
who use saquinavir should avoid the use of garlic supplements but may not
need to avoid cooked garlic. Earlier reports, however noted severe gastrointestinal
symptoms could occur as a result of using garlic while on Ritonavir. (4)
For earlier information on garlic see the Sept/Oct 1998 HIV ReSource Review
issue. More
information on the interaction of medications used in HIV infection
such as antiretrovirals.
1. Ackermann RT, et al.
Garlic shows promise for improving some cardiovascular risk factors. Arch
Intern Med 2001;161(6):813-824. PubMed
abstract.
2. Avato P, et al. Allylsulfide
constituents of garlic volatile oil as antimicrobial agents. Phytomedicine,
2000;7(3):239-43. PubMed
abstract.
3. Piscitelli SC, et al.
Garlic supplements decrease saquinavir plasma concentrations. 8th
Conf. Retroviruses Opportunistic Inf.: 2001; Abstract
743.
4. Severe Gastrointestinal
Symptoms May Result From Garlic-Ritonavir Interaction. British
Columbia Persons With AIDS Society web site.
Glutamine:
Blanchard and colleagues examined the relationship between muscle glutamine,
muscle glycogen, and plasma glutamine concentrations. (1)
The study of five endurance-trained men occurred over two exercise trials
of three days of high-intensity exercise. Participants dietary carbohydrate
(CHO) intake varied from 45% of the total energy to 70% of the total energy
intake as CHO during randomized trials and 55% of the dietary CHO intake
for the time period between the two trials. Researchers found that mean
plasma glutamine concentration was significantly higher during the exercise
trial in which participants consumed 70% of their total energy intake as
CHO. Muscle glutamine concentration did not change and there were no differences
in the decrease of glycogen nor a relationship between changes in plasma
glutamine and changes in muscle glycogen concentration during the trials.
Researchers conclude that the influence of CHO intake on the concentration
of plasma glutamine is not mediated through the concentration of intramuscular
glycogen. Another study completed by Daniele and colleagues found that
18 grams of oral glutamine per day, taken before and after chemotherapy,
reduced changes in intestinal absorption, permeability and diarrhea in
patients with colorectal cancer. (2)
1. Blanchard MA, et al.
The influence of diet and exercise on muscle and plasma glutamine concentrations.
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001;33(1):69-74. PubMed
abstract.
2. Daniele B, Perrone
F, Gallo C, et al. Oral glutamine in the prevention of fluorouracil induced
intestinal toxicity: A double blind, placebo controlled, randomised trial.
Gut
2001;48(1):28-33.
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