| Policosanol capsules from sugar wax are the medically | | | | * and lowering triglyceride levels. |
| useful formulation that people use once the sugar | | | | This is very useful in preventing or mitigating |
| waxes have been processed. The substance itself is | | | | cardiovascular disease, keeps the arteries clean, |
| a mixture of long chain alcohols of which there are | | | | reduces the chances of heart attacks and reduces |
| about nine altogether but the main ones are | | | | chances of angina. |
| octacosanol and triacontanol. | | | | People in Cuba and South America where the |
| The product originates from Cuba and has been part | | | | supplement has been in use for a long time consider |
| of that country's basic health system for years. It is | | | | it a panacea but it is worth noting that there are |
| held in very high regard both in Cuba and South | | | | other studies that have not been able to confirm the |
| America. | | | | reported positive effects. |
| The situation of high levels of cholesterol in the blood | | | | Usage of the product so far has shown it to be safe. |
| is described as hypercholesterolemia. It is not a | | | | No toxicity has been demonstrated in the animal |
| disease as such but is a major contributor to many | | | | studies that have been undertaken. |
| diseases but especially cardiovascular disease. | | | | In human clinical trials, the adverse effects that have |
| The commonest treatment for hypercholesterolemia | | | | been reported were for headaches, higher micturition |
| is to manage it through diet and exercise depending | | | | (urination) frequency and weight loss. These effects |
| on severity. In severe cases statin drugs are used | | | | were experienced by a very small proportion of the |
| for treatment. | | | | test subjects. |
| Policosanol has been found to be an effective | | | | Clearly policosanol is a supplement worth considering |
| remedy in changing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. | | | | for those people who may have need to manage |
| The results of more than 50 studies have been | | | | their cholesterol levels. It may be particularly helpful |
| presented in these reports which can be summarized | | | | to those who may be diabetic as the research has |
| as: | | | | suggested that there is no rise in sugar level with the |
| * lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) - often | | | | use of this product. It may also be worth trying |
| described as the bad cholesterol; | | | | given the many side effects that have been |
| * raising high density lipoprotein (HDL) - often | | | | reported for statins and some research results that |
| described as the "good" cholesterol; | | | | have challenged their effectiveness. |