Policosanol

Policosanol is a phytochemical supplement that is proving to be a substantive alternative to classic lipid-lowering (cholesterol-lowering) medicines. One of the most rigorously studied substances in the world of natural alternative medicines, it was discovered in Cuba by biochemists investigating the nutrient potentials of sugar cane, the country's major agricultural resource.

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols derived from sugar cane wax and has shown in many double blind placebo-controlled studies to lower cholesterol in both laboratory animals and in over 30,000 human subjects. It has also been evaluated in comparative trials with current pharmaceutical treatments and results have shown that it normalizes cholesterol as well or better and without side effects.

Policosanol is an important agent in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. It not only to normalizes cholesterol levels, but because of several other pivotal biochemical activities, it is helpful for patients with high blood pressure many of whom often exhibit other cardiovascular problems.

High Blood Pressure - Because high blood pressure is typically a symptom that additional cardiovascular disease exists or will eventually exist, it is mentioned here. Most often it is related to cholesterol imbalance and could be effected by its normalization.

Coronary heart disease - normalizes cholesterol thereby reducing risk factors including LDL and HDL ratios.

Atherosclerosis - reduces the proliferation of cells in the arteries that can cause thickening of arterial walls; reduces development of arterial lesions.

Stroke, heart attack - reduces platelet aggregation or the formation of blood clots; reduces blood vessel constriction by lowering thromboxane levels which trigger this activity.

Policosanol has been shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) by as much as 20% and raise HDL (good cholesterol) by nearly 10%. LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to the blood stream. HDL carries cholesterol from the blood back to the liver where it is broken down and excreted out of the body. If one has more LDL than HDL one has more cholesterol coming into the blood stream than is being removed and is therefore termed as have 'high cholesterol.'

Policosanol normalizes cholesterol production in the liver. It directly influences liver cells by impeding the work of enzymes in the excessive manufacture and influencing the impaired breakdown of cholesterol. This reduces the amount of cholesterol carried into the blood by the Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and increases the amount of cholesterol taken out of the blood by the High Density Lipoproteins (HDL). It also helps to eliminate cholesterol obtained through the diet from the body by blocking cholesterol receptors, most of which are found in the liver.

In additional to the normalization of cholesterol, Policosanol performs several other vitally important activities. It inhibits the oxidation of LDL which can cause an inflammation reaction that destroys blood vessels. Another is that it reduces the cellular overgrowth that causes the narrowing of arteries and it also diminishes the aggregation or clumping of cells and the subsequent creation of blood clots.

In many clinical trials, Policosanol has show virtually no serious side effects and is generally considered safe for use in adults. No drug interactions have been observed.

Use cautiously in patients taking aspirin due to potential additive platelet inhibition and risk of bleeding. Use caution when using with drugs that lower blood pressure due to potential additive effect.

Because herbs also contain active chemical substances which can and will interact with others, no herb or drug should be taken without first consulting with one's physician.

The recommended starting dose is one or two 6 mg tablets with the evening meal, since cholesterol manufacture is increased at night. If the response is not adequate after an interval of at least 2 months, the dose can be doubled to the maximum recommended dosage of 24 mg/day.

1) Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, Illnait J, Mendoza S, Gamez R, Fernandez J, Mesa M; A comparison of the effects of D-003 and policosanol (5 and 10 mg/day) in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blinded study. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2005;31 Suppl:31-44. PMID: 16444910 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

2) Protective effect of policosanol on atherosclerotic plaque on aortas in monkeys. Arch Med Res. 2005 Sep-Oct;36(5):441-7. PMID: 16099319 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3) Policosanol has no antioxidant activity in human low-density lipoprotein but increases excretion of bile acids in hamsters. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Aug 10;53(16):6289-93. PMID: 16076108 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

4) Castano G, Fernandez L, Mas R, Illnait J, Gamez R, Mendoza -Effects of addition of policosanol to omega-3 fatty acid therapy on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs R D. 2005;6(4):207-19. PMID: 16050054 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5) Setnikar I, Senin P, Rovati LC Antiatherosclerotic efficacy of policosanol, red yeast rice extract and astaxanthin in the rabbit. Arzneimittelforschung. 2005;55(6):312-7. PMID: 16032970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6) Irmak S, Dunford NTPolicosanol contents and compositions of wheat varieties. J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Jul 13;53(14):5583-6. PMID: 15998118 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7) Fernandez S, Mas R, Gamez R, Diaz A, Fernandez A pharmacological surveillance study of the tolerability of policosanol in the elderly population. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. 2004 Dec;2(4):219-29. PMID: 15903280 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8) Menendez R, Marrero D, Mas R, Fernandez I, Gonzalez L, Gonzalez RM, In vitro and in vivo study of octacosanol metabolism. Arch Med Res. 2005 Mar-Apr;36(2):113-9. PMID: 15847942 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9) Gamez R, Maz R, Arruzazabala ML, Mendoza S, Castano G, Effects of concurrent therapy with policosanol and omega-3 fatty acids on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in rabbits. Drugs R D. 2005;6(1):11-9. PMID: 15806713 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10) Wang Y, Ebine N, Jia X, Jones PJ, Fairow C, Jaeger R. Very long chain fatty acids (policosanols) and phytosterols affect plasma lipid levels and cholesterol biosynthesis in hamsters. Metabolism. 2005 Apr;54(4):508-14. PMID: 15798959 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11) [No authors listed] Complementary care. How statin alternatives stack up. Some help control cholesterol; others are potentially harmful. Heart Advis. 2005 Jan;8(1):4-5. No abstract available. PMID: 15795954 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

12) Chen JT, Wesley R, Shamburek RD, Pucino F, Csako Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol. Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Feb;25(2):171-83. Review. PMID: 15767233 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13) Castano G, Mas R, Gamez R, Fernandez J, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Mendoza S, Mesa M, Gutierrez JA, Lopez E. Concomitant use of policosanol and beta-blockers in older patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 2004;24(2-3):65-77. PMID: 15689053 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

14) McCarty MF, An ezetimibe-policosanol combination has the potential to be an OTC agent that could dramatically lower LDL cholesterol without side effects. Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(3):636-45. PMID: 15617880 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

15) Musa R, Yunoki K, Kinoshita M, Oda Y, Ohnishi M. Increased levels of policosanol and very long-chain fatty acids in potato pulp fermented with Rhizopus oryzae. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2004 Nov;68(11):2401-4. PMID: 15564684 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

16) No authors listed]Monograph. Policosanol. Altern Med Rev. 2004 Sep;9(3):312-7. Review. No abstract available. PMID: 15387722 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

17) Lin Y, Rudrum M, van der Wielen RP, Trautwein EA, McNeill G, Sierksma A, Meijer GW. Wheat germ policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in subjects with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol concentrations. Metabolism. 2004 Oct;53(10):1309-14. PMID: 15375787 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

18) Noa M, Mas R, Mendoza S, Gamez R, Mendoza N, Gonzalez J. Policosanol prevents bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2004;30(3):117-23. PMID: 15366788 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

19) Mas R, Castano G, Fernandez J, Gamez R, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Lopez E, Mesa M, Alvarez E, Mendoza SLong-term effects of policosanol on obese patients with Type II Hypercholesterolemia. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13(Suppl):S102. PMID: 15294623 [PubMed - in process]

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