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One hundred forty-six volunteers were randomized to receive a placebo or an
allicin-containing garlic supplement, one capsule daily, over a 12-week period
between November and February. They used a five-point scale to assess their
health and recorded any common cold infections and symptoms in a daily
diary. The active-treatment group had significantly fewer colds than the placebo
group (24 vs 65, P<.001). The placebo group, in contrast, recorded significantly
more days challenged virally (366 vs 111, P<.005) and a significantly
longer duration of symptoms (5.01 vs 1.52 days, P<.001). Consequently, volunteers
in the active group were less likely to get a cold and recovered faster if
infected. Volunteers taking placebo were much more likely to get more than
one cold over the treatment period. An allicin-containing supplement can prevent
attack by the common cold virus.