[djf]

A natural substance has been getting studied for a few years that seems to lower cholesterol at least as good as, if not better than, the statin drugs like Lipitor. It is a waxy alcohol-type substance that comes from the outside layers of the sugar cane plant. It is called policosanol.

It has undergone extensive testing in Cuba and there are 105 references on Pubmed for it, most extremely positive.

Castano G, Mas R, Gamez R, Fernandez L, Illnait J.

Medical Surgical Research Center, Havana City, Cuba.

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects. The present study was undertaken to compare the effects of policosanol and ticlopidine in patients with moderately severe intermittent claudication (IC). The study had a 4-week baseline step, followed by a 20-week double-blinded, randomized treatment period. Twenty-eight eligible patients were randomized to policosanol 10 mg or ticlopidine 250 mg tablets twice daily (bid). Walking distances in a treadmill (constant speed 3.2 km/hr, slope 10 degrees, temperature 25 degrees C) were assessed before and after 20 weeks of treatment. Both groups were similar at baseline. Compared with baseline, policosanol significantly increased (p < 0.01) mean values of initial (ICD) and absolute (ACD) claudication distances from 162.1 to 273.2 m and from 255.8 to 401.0 m, respectively. Ticlopidine also raised significantly (p < 0.01) ICD (166.2 to 266.3 m) and ACD (252.9 to 386.4 m). Comparisons between groups did not show significant differences. Policosanol, but not ticlopidine, significantly (p < 0.05), but modestly, increased the ankle/arm pressure ratio. After 10 weeks, policosanol significantly (p < 0.001) lowered low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.01), and TC/HDL-C and raised (p < 0.05) high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). At study completion, policosanol lowered (p < 0.001) LDL-C (30.2%), TC (16.9%), and TC/HDL-C (33.9%), increased (p < 0.01) HDL-C (+31.7%), and left triglycerides unchanged. Ticlopidine did not affect the lipid profile variable. Policosanol induced modest, but significant, reductions (p < 0.01) of fibrinogen levels compared with baseline and ticlopidine. Treatments were well tolerated and did not impair safety indicators. Three ticlopidine patients (21.4%) withdrew from the trial, only 1 owing to a serious adverse experience (AE) (unstable angina). Three other ticlopidine patients experienced mild AE (headache, diarrhea, and acidity). It is concluded that policosanol (10 mg bid) can be as effective as ticlopidine (250 mg bid) for improving walking distances of claudicant patients, and it could be advantageous for the global risk of these individuals owing to its cholesterol-lowering effects. This study is, however, just a pilot comparison, so that further studies in larger sample sizes are needed for definitive conclusions of the comparative effects of both drugs on patients with IC.

[trailboss800]

ping

[JoeGar]

A friend told me that she lowered her cholesterol from 224 to 178 by taking policosanol

Well, that clinical trial sold the idea to me! (BTW, my TV tells me that eating oatmeal for breakfast will do the same thing.)

[dread78645]

"Human studies have been increasing. In one recent study, patients with LDL-cholesterol greater than 160 mg/dl were randomized in double-blind fashion to receive policosanol (10 milligrams daily), lovastatin (20 milligrams daily) or simvastatin (10 milligrams daily). After eight weeks of therapy, LDL-cholesterol was reduced 24% in the policosanol groups, 22% in the lovastatin group and 15% with simvastatin. HDL-cholesterol increased significantly in the policosanol group but not in the other two groups. Policosanol was judged to be "a safe and effective cholesterol reducing agent."

In another recent double-blind study of policosanol's possible effects in hypercholesterolemia, patients received 5 milligrams of policosanol or placebo daily for 12 weeks followed by 10 milligrams of policosanol or placebo for a subsequent 12 weeks. Policosanol (5 and 10 milligrams daily) appeared to significantly reduce LDL-cholesterol (18.2% and 25.6% respectively) and reduce cholesterol (13% and 17.4%). It appeared to raise HDL-cholesterol (15.5% and 28.4%). Triglycerides were unchanged in the first 12-week period but were significantly reduced (5.2%) by the end of the second 12-week period. Side effects were few and minor. There were 11 serious (7 of these were vascular) adverse events among those taking policosanol.

Policosanol appears to significantly reduce platelet aggregation in both healthy and hypercholesterolemic individuals, apparently proving as effective (at 20 milligrams daily doses) as aspirin (100 milligrams per day). The substance also appears to demonstrate beneficial effect in patients with intermittent claudication. Long-term therapy (20 months) using 5 milligrams of policosanol twice a day resulted in significant improvement in treadmill exercise performance and exercise — ECG responses in a group of coronary heart disease patients. The addition of 125 milligrams of aspirin daily further enhanced these results. It is hoped that others will confirm these very promising, largely Cuban studies."

-- PDR Health

[muir_redwoods]

for later

[benjaminjjones]

I've got high cholesterol myself, as does most of my family.

I'm on statins as well.

But if you think I'm going trust ANYTHING coming out of Cuba, you're nuts.

I'll trust what my NIH brother tells me to do.

Right now, it's time for another breakfast chili dog.

[singfreedom]

Is it obtained at health food stores?? or do you need a "scrip"?

[Dustbunny]

I would need a little more proof that Policosanol works, proof that came from Germany or Britian or even the good old USA studies.

I Googled Policosanol, quite a few places on the web to buy it.

[Cruz]

ping

[baseballmom]

for later

[foolscap]

ping

[Wonder Warthog]

So what happens if you take policosanol WITH a statin.

I take Lipitor, and it has dropped hy LDL's to "low normal" level and increased my HDL's "slightly". I've thus far had zero problems--but I "do" take supplemental CoQ10 (and have been for years---before starting the Lipitor).

[mcg2000]

I know one opinion not to take! Don't call this guy for health questions ... unless they involve roids!

[ko_kyi]

That is pretty interesting. The rise in heart disease in the US coincided nicely with the conversion from cane sugar to corn sweetener for most processed foods - I wonder if there is a relation?

[Shery]

Wow! Good news! My total cholesterol is over 300, but my HDL is over 220, making the ratio 2:1, which is ideal. My doctor would like to see the total come down without effecting the HDL/LDL ration. This just might work! Thanks for the post!

[raybbr]

ping... any further info on this?

Thanks

[Reborn]

mark for later read

[Colorado Buckeye]

Ping.

[nmh]

Interesting website!

If you have a ping list, could you add me to it?

T.I.A. if you do!

[Uri’el-2012]

Red Rice Yeast works for cholesterol as well.

[bvw]

Seems like a whole lot of good advice on that site of MD Janson. Thanks for the reference, djf. Live long and prosper!