Policosanola, extracted from sugar cane and bee’s wax, is a high-potency form of sugar; it does not, however, affect blood sugar levels.
Policosanola, by slowing down the hepatic absorption of cholesterol, and increasing the degradation of LDL, both raises levels of “good” HDL cholesterols and lowers those of “bad” LDL Cholesterol.
Policosanola, when taken orally, treats hypercholesterolemia, or intermittent claudicating--the leg muscle cramping which occurs during exercise, and stops at the cessation of, exercise.
Policosanol improves strength, stamina, and speed of reactions; herpes infections, inflammatory skin diseases, and Parkinson’s disease.
It has been used to treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis--ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease--hyper lipidemia, and atherosclerosis. It might also slow down the build up of lipids, and increase the use of the fat, in fat tissues.
More Positive Effects of Policosanol
Various clinical trials have provided strong evidence that Policosanol can both lower bad Cholesterol (LDL) by up to 20%, and raise beneficial cholesterol (HDL) by 10% in an individual.
It does this by obstructing the synthesis of cholesterol from the liver. While most people think most cholesterol comes from the diet, we have found out that the liver which, in fact, produces more than 80% of the body’s cholesterol.
Policosanol also, by combating the formation of lesions in arterial walls, protects against heart disease, and, like aspirin acts as an anti-coagulant.
Anti-coagulants prevent the formation of blood clot, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Things to Watch Out For
The nutrient Policosanol, as evidenced by its long history of clinical trials, seems to be a very safe supplement. The good new is that, while many people fear that the nutrient, because it is derived from sugar cane wax, may raise ones blood sugar levels, it does not.
While we have found no evidence of negative interactions when Policosanol is used in conjunction with prescription heart medications, we always suggest that you talk with your doctor before starting any new supplement program. If you are currently taking other drugs, we strongly advise you to do so.
There are no reports of anyone overdosing on policosanol. And although its mild side effects--stomach upset, skin rash, headache, insomnia, and weight loss--are extremely rare, some individuals are advised to take precautions in using it.
Policosanol should not be given to children, or pregnant or nursing women. Hemophiliacs and those taking Warfarin, because it may cause themto experience anti-thromboic activity, should check with their doctor before using it. For all individuals, it should be stopped before any surgical procedure.
Our Take on the Benefits of Policosanol
Policosanol may be an alternative to statin drugs, the side effects, including liver dysfunction and muscle atrophy, of which have been documented. And, because policosanol has been extensively researched—more so, in fact, than most prescription drugs, the evidence of its therapeutic benefits and efficacy is indisputable.
Gugulipid, a nutrient related to policosanol, has also been shown, in clinical trials, and, in India, from thousands of years of use, to both lower bad, and raise good, cholesterol; it is, in addition, one of the few substances capable of lowering triglyceride levels.
High triglyceride levels combined with high cholesterol levels increase the risk risk of heart disease exponentially. Policosanol and gugulipid, used together, make a potent and effective cocktail offering one the best possible therapeutic benefits. You need, if you’re interested in improving your health, these nutrients for the best possible results.
How to Select Policosanol Supplement
1. Many products on the market, while claiming to use “Policosanol” are actually using a nutrient called “Octacosanol.” There are, in addition, many nutritional products that contain Policosanol not from sugar cane wax, but a variety of lower quality, extracted from bee’s wax. Policosanol from bee’s wax is INCOMPLETE, and will NOT give the results outlined in the numerous clinical trials, which used only the best available policosanol extracted from sugar cane wax.
Companies, wanting produce supplements at a fraction of the cost use bee’s wax or Octacosanol because of their low cost, because of low quality ingredients, however, consumer suffers. We have found the price of genuine policosanol is twenty times greater than that of Octacosanol.
Yet companies using Octacosanol, even though clinical studies of the genuine substance that do not really apply to the products they are promoting, can quote their results, and, worst of all, they hope you never find out. Sadly, most consumers never do.
2. Always buy your nutritional supplements from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which comply with the strictest manufacturing standards. Because nutritional supplements production, in the U.S., has become largely unregulated, consumers of health products have only a 20% chance of buying products containing the actual ingredients stated on their labels or worse yet, one that is not contaminated with harmful toxins.
3. Be sure the product does not contain any fillers or additives (examples include: sugar, starch, gluten, silica (sand!) or any artificial colors or flavors of any kind.
