Posted on 02/14/2006 1:50:42 AM PST by djf
Policosanol and Cholesterol Revisited
Policosanol, a mixture of waxy alcohols derived from sugar cane, rice bran oil, or wheat germ oil, has remarkable benefits for atherosclerosis that go beyond lowering cholesterol. Doctors recommend statin drugs to lower cholesterol, often even for people with normal serum levels, noting that these drugs have other benefits in stabilizing plaque and protecting endothelial cells.
A friend told me that she lowered her cholesterol from 224 to 178 by taking policosanol, but her doctor was concerned that she might not be getting “all the benefits” of statins (but of course she was also avoiding the side effects). I suggested vitamin C to protect the endothelium, and then reviewed the recent research on policosanol.
I found that policosanol is better than statins on many counts. In a comparative study with pravastatin, policosanol offered greater protection of the endothelium, better inhibition of platelet aggregation, and improved HDL levels. Compared to lovastatin it is better at reducing arterial thickening in animal studies.
While the most effective statin, Lipitor, is slightly better at lowering total cholesterol than policosanol, it does not raise HDL, so the risk reduction is identical. Policosanol equals Lipitor at lowering triglyceride levels, and it protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Oxidized LDL is a risk factor for atherosclerosis.
Policosanol has further clinical benefits. In a study of intermittent claudication (pain in the legs on exercise), policosanol treatment increased walking distance by 60 percent within 6 months, and at the end of two years by 200 to 300 percent. A recent 5-month study showed that policosanol was better than lovastatin for improving claudication, and it also lowered serum fibrinogen, a risk for heart disease.
Statins can cause a severe muscle breakdown called rhabdomyolysis, with leakage of cell contents into the circulation. They reduce the production of coenzyme Q10, increasing the risk and severity of congestive heart failure, and they may not reduce overall mortality. The evidence suggests that patients should be given low-cost policosanol (10 to 20 mg) instead of expensive statin drugs. It is time for the medical profession to learn and apply this information.
I just went and got some today. For a non-toxic, non-mutagenic substance, I would think a 23-27 percent reduction in LDL's is quite a significant effect.
Who knows? The most significant change in the medical arena has been the merging of the biochemisty and nutritional fields. Look at what they have found about the Folates.
From my own readings, I don't think it would be unusual for folks to live active, healthy lives into the 120-140 age range. But if you try to start at my age, you're too late.
Most of the abstracts will tell you the same thing: "The bodies production/utilization of nutrient X falls off dramatically after age 25-30" or something to that effect.
That's when people should really start. Don't wait till you're a geezer like me!
Heck, I've been giving my dog supplemental Vitamin C and D, and he's doing better by it! He's 15 and still doing pretty good.
Keep this in mind when lowering your cholesterol. There is serious research indicating too-low cholesterol greatly increases the risk of hemmorhage (I'll cite some if you or others reading this are interersted). I myself was on Crestor a year ago and lowered my Total Cholesterol from 240 to 140 in a four-month period. Then I had a SAH, a SubArachnoid Hemmorhage of the brain. I was lucky and did not have an aneurism, and the situation resolved itself in a few days. Now I exercise 4 times a week, light weights, swimming, stair-climber (I also did the same before the SAH) and am quite happy with my Total Cholesterol in the 200-230 range--if you do the research you will find out that this range is no big deal. I am 55. According to the research, this situation almost never repeats itself.
There is a new bioflavenoid mix called sytrinol that has much more dramatic effects in human studies than policosinol. I take both. Check out www.lef.org.
Red Rice Yeast works for cholesterol as well.
IMO those kind of muscles are gross.
Seems like a whole lot of good advice on that site of MD Janson. Thanks for the reference, djf. Live long and prosper!
How's his liver?
Not sure ... I do know he had parts of his bicep cut out due to infection - he was shooting steroids directly into his bicep.
ping
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