Cholesterol and triglycerides are important fats found in your blood that help maintain your heart health. Both of them circulate in the blood as lipoproteins, which are formed when they combine with proteins and other compounds. Examples of lipoproteins are VLDL, LDL and HDL. Policosanol is a natural supplement that has been evaluated for its effects on improving cholesterol levels. If you consider taking this supplement for your condition, you should first talk to a health care provider.
About Policosanol
Policosanol is a combination of fatty compounds derived from the wax of sugar cane or from rice. Policosanol has been extensively researched and has been found effective, safe and well tolerated cholesterol lowering agent. It helps improve cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. Its effects on lipid levels are usually noted within six to eight weeks of use, and a typical daily dose is between 5 and 20 mg. Policosanol should be taken at bedtime, because that's when cholesterol is manufactured in the body, according to Michael Murray, ND and author of " the Pill Book Guide To Natural Medicines."
Research
A study published in 2005 issue of "Clinical Drug Investigation" evaluated the efficacy of rice policosanol in managing high cholesterol levels. This was a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial involving 70 participants between the ages 20 and 78 diagnosed with high cholesterol levels. The authors concluded that policosanol reduced total blood cholesterol levels; however it did not influence other lipid fractions such as HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglycerides. This study also showed that policosanol was well-tolerated by the participants.
Policosanol vs. Standard Drugs
A study published in 2003 in "Clinical Drug Investigation" evaluates the benefits of policosanol in comparation with the statin drug atorvastatin in 40 diabetic subjects suffering from high cholesterol levels. This study found that policosanol was less effective than standard therapy in improving LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol; however, it was more effective in increasing HDL-cholesterol. Both policosanol and atorvastatin were able to decrease triglycerides and total cholesterol/ HDL-cholesterol ratio. Although policosanol showed promising results, the authors indicate that further research is needed to fully confirm these findings.
Considerations
Consult a qualified health care professional to learn more about policosanol and find out optimal dosage that may help improve your cholesterol levels. A healthy low fat diet is also important in managing your condition. This supplement does not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional cholesterol-lowering drugs.
References
- "The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines"; Micheal Murray, ND; 2004
- "Clinical Drug Investigation" ; Effects of Rice Policosanol on Serum Lipoproteins, Homocysteine, Fibrinogen and C-reactive Protein in Hypercholesterolaemic Patients; Z. Reiner et al; 2005
- "Clinical Drug Investigation"; Comparison of the Effects of Policosanol and Atorvastatin on Lipid Profile and Platelet Aggregation in Patients with Dyslipidaemia and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; G.Castano et al; 2003
- Merck Manuals: Cholesterol Disorders
