The Kyolic Garlic & Aerobic Fitness Trial

Effect of Kyolic aged garlic extract on arterial stiffness and aerobic fitness in 40-65 year old active adults: a dose-response trial

Arterial stiffness is a cardiovascular risk factor, which increases naturally with age. Kyolic garlic has been shown to improve the flexibility of arteries, and slows down blood flow, which may improve oxygen uptake, associated with aerobic fitness.

In this randomised double-blind placebo-controlled 12-week trial we aim to assess the effect and dose-response of Kyolic garlic on arterial stiffness and aerobic fitness in 40-65 year old active adults with elevated arterial stiffness.

In this study, we aim to assess the effect of Kyolic aged garlic extract on:

1. Arterial stiffness, assessed by measuring how fast your blood travels through your blood vessels (pulse wave analysis)
2. Aerobic fitness, assessed by high intensity exercise VO₂max test on a cycle ergometer
3. Lactate threshold, assessed by lactate levels during VO₂max testing
4. Muscular soreness and recovery, assessed by questionnaire
5. Cardiovascular proteomic biomarkers, assessed by urine spot test (subgroup)
6. Microcirculation, assessed by video microcapillary microscopy

Update Oct 2023:  Recruitment for the trial is now closed. 

Participants:

• 40-65 year old active adults with elevated arterial stiffness*

• who regularly undertake a minimum of 3x30min/week moderate to high intensity exercise (e.g. triathlon, cycling, running, swimming)

*To assess eligibility, you will need to attend a 30 min screening visit at NIIM, where we will test your arterial stiffness with a hand-held gold-standard blood pressure tonometer.

Eligible participants will 

1. Attend 4 appointments at NIIM over a 3 months period, at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks.
2. Attend 2 appointments at METS Performance Consulting in Mulgrave, VIC at baseline and after 12 weeks, to undertake the VO₂max testing on a cycle ergometer. Please allow at least 1 hour for testing.
3. Take 2-4 trial capsules a day for 3 months.

In this randomised placebo-controlled double-blind dose-response trial, half of the participants will be randomly allocated to the active capsules which contain the odourless aged garlic extract (Kyolic®), and half of the participants will receive placebo capsules.  

The study will be conducted at NIIM, 21 Burwood Road, Hawthorn VIC 3122.

Please note – Participants need to be located in Victoria, and need to be able to come to the NIIM clinic in Melbourne.

Update Oct 2023: Recruitment for the trial is now closed.  Thank you for your interest.

Any questions? Contact:  research@niim.com.au