Regarding GARLIC...

[RD]

Ok, you guys all realize those studies did not cover commercial foods with garlic as an ingredient and even stated that the amount of garlic in commercial foods will most likely not be significant for anything other than a sales pitch.

I suspect that the author of the original link posted in this thread might be eating a little crow now.


The subject of using garlic in fish food seems to come up quite often, with some hobbyists suggesting that the main reason that fish food manufacturers use this ingredient is strictly to enhance palatability of the food, or in some cases, as nothing more than a sales pitch.

In many cases this may be true, but this is certainly not true of all fish foods. The main reason for such a large inclusion rate in certain brand/s is due to garlics anti-parasitic qualities. When used in larger quantities, this raw ingredient can be expensive, hence the reason why many manufacturers skimp on the amount of garlic that they use.


Over the past decade there has been a number of studies involving garlic and fish food and the anecdotal evidence with regards to feeding fish allicin complex (the active ingredient in garlic) to rid them of parasites appeared to be quite strong. The following is a link to a more recent study that confirms what some people have been saying all along. http://www.scielo.br/pdf/jvatitd/v12n2/v12n2a03.pdf

A. M. Shalaby et al. EFFECTS OF GARLIC (Allium sativum) AND CHLORAMPHENICOL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND SURVIVAL OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus).
J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis., 2006, 12, 2, p.196


In this particular study the inclusion of garlic powder at a rate of 3% has shown to increase the overall digestibilty of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, as well as to lower the total bacteria count within the intestine, muscles, as well as the tank water itself.

Being one to only use medication as a last resort, I find that garlic is a great preventative solution to keeping your fish (and water) free from outbreaks of various disease causing pathogens.

[Sebae]

How come stores such as Big Al's don't sell the Ther A ?

[RD]

I guess that you would have to ask BA's.

While the TherA formula contains a mega dose of garlic (Allium Sativum), the rest of the formulas all contain 3%.

[BCOrchidGuy]

Bravo Bob I, Aspartame if I'm not mistaken was thought a safer sugar substitute than Sacharine. Aspartame is either derived from or contains ethanol (wood alcohol) and if taken in large amounts has and can cause a variety of side effects including, seizures, blindness, tremors, blurred vision etc. Some, not all, people who drink excessive amounts of diet drinks have been found to have liver damage that is very similar to alcohol abuse (long term). I once read a study from Johns Hopkins about Aspartame, a number of pilots were given the equivellent dose of two diet soda's but it was given IV... all but one or two pilots experienced side effects that caused them to be grounded (flight clearance was suspended) for different periods of time, one of the pilots never regained his sight.

Anyway, garlic is good, I've used it with fish and in cooking and in both cases it's been a good thing. Debate away folks, but keep it friendly and that way we all learn something new.

Doug