A new study has shown that California-based Wakunaga of America’s Kyolic Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) can improve aerobic fitness due to its ability to increase arterial flexibility.

According to the company, aerobic fitness (“cardio”) is important at every age and stage of life, which is especially true for those who engage in endurance activities including biking, dancing running or swimming. Arterial stiffness—which worsens with age—compromises blood circulation, increasing the odds of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, and decreasing oxygen supply to the body.

The study was led by Dr. Karin Ried, director of research at the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in Melbourne, Australia and involved 75 middle-aged recreational endurance athletes across a 12-week clinical trial. In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study, participants were given a placebo, a 1.2 g dose of AGE powder or a 2.4 g dose of AGE powder.

Researchers found that those in both AGE groups experienced a significant improvement in aerobic fitness, evidenced by higher lactate threshold-to-oxygen uptake, high lactate threshold-to-power output, increased aerobic power and quicker post-workout recovery time.

The amount of oxygen taken up by muscles during exercise (VO2max) and pulse-wave velocity, which is a measure of arterial flexibility, also improved in the AGE groups. These benefits weren’t seen in the placebo groups and those taking AGE also had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, the company said.

“These results indicate that AGE is not only effective against arterial stiffness and hypertension but also improves the exercise capacity in healthy people and helps to build a body that’s resistant to fatigue,” Ried said.

For more information, visit www.kyolic.com.