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Policosanol: Start Improving Your Cholesterol Today
- Reduce LDL Cholesterol up to 29%
- Increase HDL Cholesterol up to 15%
- Reduce Total Cholesterol up to 21%
When your doctor orders a blood lipid panel and discovers that your cholesterol levels are too high for comfort,
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50% of Americans have high cholesterol
According to NDS Health, a health-care information services company based in Atlanta, more than 110 million prescriptions were written for statin drugs in 2001. But they're expensive … and they're not without risk.
"These new lipid drugs continue to be expensive," says Dr. Francis Solano Jr., president and chief medical officer of Community Medicine Inc. in Pittsburgh. "Statins can be around $60 to $120 per month."2
Statin hazard
Cholesterol-lowering drugs can result in serious side effects. In a clinical advisory issued recently, the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute warned doctors about possible serious adverse effects and factors that could increase the risk of statin-caused muscle disorders.
In fact, in January 2002 Bayer Pharmaceutical announced that its cholesterol drug Baycol has been linked to approximately 100 deaths since its withdrawal from the market in August 2001, and Baycol was recalled after it was linked to about 40 deaths in the US. Bayer is currently facing several lawsuits from patients who were injured while taking the drug.3
New York Times health writer Jane E. Brody recently reported (December 10, 2002) that last summer an 82-year-old Kansas woman died as a result of an undetected muscle disease caused by the statin she had been taking for years to control her cholesterol.
During the entire time she was taking it, the woman had muscle pains that doctors never attributed to the drug. "She even had a shoulder operation, which did nothing, of course, to cure the drug-induced pain that might have been correctly diagnosed through a simple blood test," wrote Brody. "Then she was mistreated with an anti-fungal agent for skin lesions that actually resulted, not from a fungus, but from the muscle breakdown caused by the drug."
It's been shown that when anti-fungals are combined with statins, they can greatly increase the risk and severity of muscle disorders. "Within three months, the woman's condition worsened and she became so weak she could not stand or breathe on her own. Two weeks later, she was dead," reported Brody.
Statins may also cause a liver disorder in about one percent of patients.
Public Citizen Calls for Stronger Warnings on Statins
Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, has petitioned the FDA for stronger warnings on all statin drugs in the wake of the August 2001 recall of Baycol. The petition asks the FDA to include a warning that muscle pain or weakness can lead to muscle damage.
What's wrong with this picture?
Consider this metaphor: You're flying an airplane and one of the meters indicates that the airplane is going down rapidly and that you're going to plunge to the ground in minutes. You pull out your handgun and shoot the meter, destroying not only the meter but causing damage to other electrical equipment. There! Problem solved, right? Obviously not.
The situation with statin drugs is strikingly similar yet apparently this isn't obvious to the conventional medical system. Cholesterol is just a risk factor, one of many. Sure, you'd like to see that high reading come down, but - and here is the most important message of this article - you want that reading to come down for the right reasons. You want your cholesterol to come down as a result of an overall improvement in your health.
Continue reading to find out how Policosanol does exactly that. It is a safe, natural substance that improves overall health … and you'll really see those cholesterol readings improve.
Policosanol: the new treatment for cholesterol management and reduced heart disease risk
What is it?
Policosanol is a mixture of alcohols isolated and purified from sugar cane, whose main component is octacosanol. Policosanol has been studied extensively for the past 10 years and several human trials have been published in medical journals in North America and throughout the world. The clinical trials on humans have clearly demonstrated that Policosanol is safe, effective, and without side effects.
Policosanol is actually not one thing, but a generic name for a highly concentrated and standardized mixture of five higher primary aliphatic alcohols that occur together naturally in sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) wax. Although there are a few different forms of Policosanol (rice and beeswax), it is important to note that the results from the clinical trials were obtained using ONLY the Policosanol derived from sugar cane wax.
The studies on Policosanol are extremely impressive-and you'll see why. Most of them have been done in Cuba and since Cuban researchers are still working on getting the word out through scientific publications and peer-reviewed journals, Policosanol has yet to become a household word like statins-which is why we're so pleased to be at the forefront of bringing this information to you.
How does Policosanol work?
Because of the way that statin drugs work, they all have significant dose-related toxicity. If they inhibit the cholesterol-producing enzyme too much they can cause a variety of dangerous side effects. There is also growing concern among some scientists that statin drugs may have unknown long-term side effects, due to their mechanism of action in lowering cholesterol.
Amazingly, Policosanol has shown itself to be as effective as statin drugs for many of their varied beneficial effects WITHOUT showing any toxic effects. This is believed to be due to their different ways of helping control cholesterol levels. While statin drugs directly inhibit the cholesterol-producing enzyme, Policosanol instead seems to regulate the production of the enzyme to lower, more favorable levels.4,5 Policosanol also enhances our body's ability to remove and process LDL cholesterol from the blood and cells.6
Stops cardiovascular disease in its tracks
One of the most exciting effects of statin therapy is its ability to slow down or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease. This is often seen independent of the reduction in blood cholesterol levels. Research on Policosanol has provided evidence that it too can dramatically prevent, slow down, or even reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease.789
Editor's Note:
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This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a physician before embarking on a dietary supplement program.
References
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Antti Jula, MD, PhD; Jukka Marniemi, PhD; Risto Huupponen, MD, PhD; Arja Virtanen, MSc; Merja Rastas, MSc; Tapani Rönnemaa, MD, PhD "Effects of Diet and Simvastatin on Serum Lipids, Insulin, and Antioxidants in Hypercholesterolemic Men." JAMA Feb. 6, 2002, Vol. 287 #5, pp. 598-605. No. 5.
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Menendez R, Amor AM, Rodeiro I, et al, Policosanol modulates HMG-CoA reductase activity in cultured fibroblasts. Arch Med Res2001 Jan-Feb;32(1):8-12.
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Menendez R, Amor AM, Gonzalez RM, Fraga V, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis of normocholesterolemic rats. Biol Res 1996;29(2):253-7
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Menendez R, Fernandez SI, Del Rio A, et al, Policosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res 1994;27(3-4):199-203
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Janikula M, Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern Med Rev 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17
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Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Menendez R, et al, Protective effect of policosanol on atherosclerotic lesions in rabbits with exogenous hypercholesterolemia. Braz J Med Biol Res 2000 Jul;33(7):835-40
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Rodriguez-Echenique C, Mesa R, Mas R, Noa M, et al, Effects of policosanol chronically administered in male monkeys (Macaca arctoides). Food Chem Toxicol 1994 Jun;32(6):565-75
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Mirkin A, Mas R, Martinto M, Boccanera R, Robertis A, Poudes R, Fuster A, Lastreto E, Yanez M, Irico G, McCook B, Farre A. Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001;21(1):31-41.
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Janikula M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern Med Rev 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17.
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Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
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Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Alvarez E. Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001 Mar;56(3):M186-92.
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Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, Fernandez L, Illnait J, Lopez E. Effects of policosanol on older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs R D 2002;3(3):159-72.
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Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994;14(1):27-33.
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Crespo N, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Castano G. Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res1999;19(4):117-27.
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Prat H, Roman O, Pino E. Comparative effects of policosanol and two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on type II hypercholesterolemia [Article in Spanish] Rev Med Chil 1999 Mar;127(3):286-94
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Mas R, Castano G, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Aleman C, Pontigas V, Lescay M. Effects of policosanol in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and additional coronary risk factors. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999 Apr;65(4):439-47.
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Canetti M, Moreira M, Mas R, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Diaz E, Castano G. A two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1995;15(4):159-65.
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Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994;14(1):27-33.
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Arruzazabala ML, Molina V, Mas R, Fernandez L, Carbajal D, Valdes S, Castano G Antiplatelet effects of policosanol (20 and 40 mg/day) in healthy volunteers and dyslipidaemic patients. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2002 Oct;29(10):891-7.
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Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
-
Mirkin A, Mas R, Martinto M, Boccanera R, Robertis A, Poudes R, Fuster A, Lastreto E, Yanez M, Irico G, McCook B, Farre A. Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001;21(1):31-41.
-
Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Alvarez E. Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001 Mar;56(3):M186-92.
-
Pons P, Rodriguez M, Robaina C, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994;14(1):27-33.
-
Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, Fernandez L, Illnait J, Lopez E. Effects of policosanol on older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs R D 2002;3(3):159-72.
-
Janikula M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease?Altern Med Rev 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17.
-
Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
-
Castano G, Mas R, Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Illnait J, Fernandez JC, Molina V, Menendez A.Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res1999;19(4):105-16.
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Crespo N, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Castano G. Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res1999;19(4):117-27.
-
Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
-
Menendez R, Mas R, Amor AM, Gonzalez RM, Fernandez JC, Rodeiro I, Zayas M, Jimenez S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modification in vitro. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000 Sep;50(3):255-62.
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Arruzazabala ML, Molina V, Mas R, Fernandez L, Carbajal D, Valdes S, Castano G. Antiplatelet effects of policosanol (20 and 40 mg/day) in healthy volunteers and dyslipidaemic patients. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2002 Oct;29(10):891-7.
-
Castano G, Mas R, Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Illnait J, Fernandez JC, Molina V, Menendez A.Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res1999;19(4):105-16.
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Ibid.
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Castano G, Mas Ferreiro R, Fernandez L, Gamez R, Illnait J, Fernandez C. A long-term study of policosanol in the treatment of intermittent claudication. Angiology 2001 Feb;52(2):115-25
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Stusser R, Batista J, Padron R, Sosa F, Pereztol O. Long-term therapy with policosanol improves treadmill exercise-ECG testing performance of coronary heart disease patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1998 Sep;36(9):469-73.
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Aleman CL, Puig MN, Elias EC, Ortega CH, Guerra IR, Ferreiro RM, Brinis F.Carcinogenicity of policosanol in mice: an 18-month study. Food Chem Toxicol 1995 Jul;33(7):573-8.
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Aleman CL, Mas Ferreiro R, Noa Puig M, Rodeiro Guerra I, Hernandez Ortega C, Capote A. Carcinogenicity of policosanol in Sprague Dawley rats: a 24 month study. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1994;14(5):239-49.
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Janikula M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern Med Rev 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17.
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Rodriguez MD, Garcia H. Evaluation of peri- and post-natal toxicity of Policosanol in rats. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1998;18(1):1-7.Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1994;14(3):107-13
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Rodriguez MD, Garcia H. Teratogenic and reproductive studies of policosanol in the rat and rabbit. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen1994;14(3):107-13
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Rodriguez MD, Sanchez M, Garcia H.Multigeneration reproduction study of policosanol in rats. Toxicol Lett 1997 Feb 7;90(2-3):97-106.
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Mesa AR, Mas R, Noa M, Hernandez C, Rodeiro I, Gamez R, Garcia M, Capote A, Aleman CL. Toxicity of policosanol in beagle dogs: one-year study. Toxicol Lett 1994 Aug;73(2):81-90.
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Aleman CL, Mas R, Hernandez C, Rodeiro I, Cerejido E, Noa M, Capote A, Menendez R, Amor A, Fraga V, et al. A 12-month study of policosanol oral toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol Lett1994 Jan;70(1):77-87
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Lane, Jane, "Cholesterol Conundrum," Energy Times Feb. 1999
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Blake, G.H. & Triplett, L.C. (1995). Management of Hypercholesterolemia. American Family Physician, 51, 5, p. 1157-1169. Retrieved March 26, 2002 from Expanded Academic ASAP.