Allisyn is a blend of allicyn and cinnamaldehyde that is traditionally used to help support cardiovascular health. The main bioactive compound in garlic is allicin. When broken down, this sulfur containing compound is responsible for the characteristic odor of garlic. Recent research indicates that long term garlic consumption may be effective at decreasing total cholesterol levels in individuals with higher baseline values. Garlic helps to decrease elevated lipid levels by inhibiting cholesterol synthesis and LDL oxidation in the liver. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 150 hyperlipidemic adults, daily supplementation with 800 mg of garlic powder capsules (providing 2 mg of allicin) for six weeks significantly decreased total and LDL cholesterol by approximately 12 and 17%, respectively. Similarly, in vitro research demonstrates that cinnamaldehyde decreases mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and SREBP1, transcription factors that regulate lipid synthesis and storage. Both cinnamaldehyde and garlic help maintain endothelial cell function by decreasing lipid peroxidation and by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory activities of the transcription factor NFκB.4,5.
