Policosanol - A Natural Way to Lower Cholesterol
by Dr. Ron Steriti

Policosanol is a nutritional supplement that lowers cholesterol better than most drug.

The scientific research on Policosanol is amazing! It has been shown to lower cholesterol and LDL, raise HDL, inhibit platelet aggregration, and relieve intermittent claudication.

If you're one of the many people taking cholesterol-lowering drugs and are concerned about the side effects and liver toxicity, you should consider Policosanol.

Policosanol Lowers Cholesterol better than Statin Drugs

Policosanol is a natural supplement made from sugar cane that has been shown in scientific studies to lower cholesterol levels as well as, or better than statin drugs without the side effects. Policosanol can also lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 20%, and raise HDL cholesterol by 10%.

High levels of cholesterol have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as the “bad cholesterol” because high levels have been associated with heart attack and stroke. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good cholesterol”, is associated with lower cardiovascular risk.

Policosanol also inhibits the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Oxidized LDL creates a chronic inflammatory response in blood vessels which can significantly contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Conventional medicine focuses on the use of “statin” drugs (Lipitor, Zocor, Lescol, Mevacor and Pravachol) to lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular risk. Statin drugs work by blocking the formation of cholesterol by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. Unfortunately, statin drugs are associated with several side effects such as liver dysfunction and muscle atrophy.

Statin drugs also block the formation of coenzyme Q10 and vitamins A, D, E and K. Because of this, many people are seeking natural alternatives. A review of the scientific studies on policosanol was recently published in the American Heart Journal. The authors reported: “At doses of 10 to 20 mg per day, policosanol

lowers total cholesterol by 17% to 21% lowers low- density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 21% to 29%, and raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 8% to 15%.

Daily doses of 10 mg of policosanol have been shown to be equally effective in lowering total or LDL cholesterol as the same dose of simvastatin or pravastatin. At dosages of up to 20 mg per day, policosanol is safe and well tolerated, as studies of greater than 3 years of therapy indicate.” The authors concluded that policosanol seems to be a very promising phytochemical alternative to classic lipid-lowering agents such as the statins and deserves further evaluation. (Gouni-Berthold and Berthold 2002)

References

Gouni-Berthold, I. and H. K. Berthold (2002). "Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent." Am Heart J 143(2): 356-65.

More Information

For more information about cholesterol, heart disease, and integrative treatments for heart disease, please visit holisticonline.com heart Disease Infocenter

Dr. Steriti is a graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, one of five accredited medical schools in the United States that teach natural therapies along with conventional medical diagnosis and treatment.