| The word cholesterol has become synonymous with | | | | this is the message voiced by those who are less |
| poor health. Indeed, one does not typically hear the | | | | than enthusiastic about the policosinol’s |
| word used, or see it printed, unless it points to yet | | | | emergence as something of a wonder cure. |
| another distressing fact -- that high cholesterol is the | | | | Though a natural remedy and thus far not causing |
| number one factor for coronary heart disease, and | | | | the side effects associated with statin drugs, those |
| the number one cause of heart attacks[i]. | | | | skeptical about policosinol quickly point out that it is |
| However, cholesterol is, in itself, not a negative thing. | | | | not an FDA approved drug. As such, it has not been |
| On the contrary, cholesterol plays a vital role in | | | | subjected to the rigorous testing that comes with |
| forming cell membranes, regulating hormones, | | | | approving a new drug, including supervised preclinical |
| insulating nerves, and more. The problem with | | | | trials and standardized testing in successively larger |
| cholesterol therefore lays not in cholesterol itself, but | | | | population of people. The fact that the FDA |
| the amount of cholesterol present in the | | | | approves 1 out of 5000, or .0002 of the applications |
| bloodstream. For most Americans who talk and read | | | | that it receives for new drug approval, is an indication |
| about this subject, the scenario almost always | | | | of how highly valued – and rare – this |
| involves too much cholesterol, or the condition known | | | | approval is. |
| as hypercholesterolemia. | | | | However, this instigates another debate – |
| When there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it | | | | whether the FDA approval process is the most |
| cannot easily dissolve, and thus cannot effectively be | | | | appropriate way to accept drugs into drug plans, and |
| transported to cells by the carrier called low-density | | | | whether doctors should be permitted to prescribe |
| lipoprotein (LDL). This can create a build-up of LDL | | | | non-FDA-approved drugs without undue concerns for |
| cholesterol (a.k.a. “bad cholesterol”), and | | | | malpractice lawsuits. Indeed, an MD may have |
| start to interfere with arteries that transport blood | | | | personally benefited from a natural remedy like |
| to the heart and brain. Both a stroke and a heart | | | | policosinol, but to prescribe that to a patient requires |
| attack are the most severe manifestations of LDL | | | | more support than personal preference, or even |
| cholesterol build-up, and the main reason why so | | | | personal testimony. |
| many people are seeking ways to reduce the LDL | | | | And it is the intersection of these two separate |
| build-up in their bloodstream[ii]. | | | | debates -- whether policosinol works or not, and |
| However, reducing cholesterol has been fraught with | | | | whether the FDA approval process is fair or not |
| challenges. Though reducing or eliminating certain | | | | – that the situation, and verdict on policosinol, |
| foods from diet is a necessary first step for most | | | | currently lies. This debate is frustrating to all sides; |
| individuals, some who suffer from | | | | including patients themselves, who simply want a real |
| hypercholesterolemia require medical interventions to | | | | solution. |
| immediately begin lowering their risk of heart attack | | | | However, despite these frustrations, the fact that |
| or stroke. As such, dozens of cholesterol-lowering | | | | efforts are being undertaken to develop – or |
| statin drugs are currently on the market, and while | | | | verify – a remedy that is safe, complete, and |
| some people have experienced relief due to their | | | | free of side-effects – is a step in the right |
| use, there are side effects that cause concern, | | | | direction. Additional research on policosinol will further |
| including nausea, diarrhea, muscle tenderness, and | | | | clarify whether that step should be towards FDA |
| increased liver enzymes[iii]. The out-of-pocket costs | | | | approval, or towards a warning label. |
| of these statin drugs can also be cost prohibitive for | | | | ABOUT PROTICA |
| those not covered by a comprehensive drug plan. | | | | Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research |
| However, a natural product called policosinol is | | | | firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, |
| generating an unusual amount of attention – | | | | Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, |
| both positive and negative – from the medical | | | | including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, |
| community in light of its purported cholesterol | | | | ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero |
| lowering capacity. Derived from the wax of | | | | carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is |
| sugarcanes and honeybees, policosinol is said by | | | | available at |
| some to reduce cholesterol, offer no known side | | | | You can also learn about Profect at |
| effects, be safe in high doses, increase blood flow, | | | | REFERENCES |
| reduce platelet clumps, and prevent atherosclerosis | | | | [i] Source: “Heart Mender”. |
| (plaque buildup on the artery walls)[iv]. | | | | [ |
| Studies have been conducted on policosinol efficacy, | | | | [ii] Source: “Cholesterol”. American Heart |
| and there is some empirical research evidence that | | | | Association. |
| supports it as a high LDL cholesterol remedy. A 2002 | | | | [iii] Source: “Statin Medications: What are the |
| study by researchers at the University of Bonn | | | | Side Effects?”. [ |
| reviewed 60 clinical trials involving 3000 patients, and | | | | [iv] Source: “Policosinol ”. |
| concluded with cautious optimism that policosinol is a | | | | [ |
| promising alternative to cholesterol lowering stain | | | | [v] Source: “Policosinol : clinical pharmacology |
| drugs, and thus warrants further study[v]. | | | | and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering |
| However, those poised to buy policosinol and lower | | | | agent”. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Am Heart |
| their cholesterol should approach with caution; and | | | | J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65. |