Policosanol benefits and uses
- Lowering LDL cholesterol. If you search the PubMed database for human clinical trials about policosanol for lowering cholesterol, you will get over 50 results.
- Boosting HDL cholesterol. This is the good kind of cholesterol you generally want higher. ...
- Lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure. ...
- Weight loss. ...
- Stroke recovery. ...
- Better circulation. ...
Does policosanol really work?
The use of policosanol is positively associated with lowering high blood pressure. In particular, a study reported in Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that policosanol has the potential to lower both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure. However, more studies are needed to confirm this.
What is policosanol good for?
Some studies suggest policosanol is good for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, promoting circulation, reducing anxiety, stroke recovery, and weight loss. The body of evidence to support these uses is preliminary and no health benefits are considered proven.
How does policosanol help lower cholesterol?
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Can policosanol help lower my cholesterol?
Policosanol not only effectively decreases serum cholesterol levels, but also reduces the cholesterol content in different tissues such as liver, heart and fatty tissue. The cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol are persistent and it does not lose its effect over time.
Does policosanol work like a statin?
Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane wax with a therapeutic dosage range from 5-20 mg/day. Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor which across its dosage range (10-80 mg/day) has shown significantly greater lipid-lowering effects than all previously marketed statins.
Can policosanol clean arteries?
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for... Clogged arteries. Early research suggests that taking policosanol daily, alone or together with aspirin for 20 months, can reduce heart disease-related events in people with clogged arteries.
How long does it take policosanol to lower cholesterol?
After 24 weeks, policosanol at 20 and 40 mg/day significantly (p < 0.00001) lowered LDL-cholesterol by 27.4% and 28.1%, total cholesterol (p < 0.00001) by 15.6% and 17.3%, and the LDL-cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ratio by 37.2% and 36.5%, respectively The ratio of total cholesterol/HDL- ...
Is policosanol better than statins?
These effects compare favorably to those of other lipid-lowering drugs. In head-to-head short-term trials, policosanol has produced LDL cholesterol reductions generally comparable to those of various statin drugs. However, the HDL increase observed with policosanol typically has been superior to that of statins.
What foods are high in policosanol?
Policosanol is found in the waxes of certain plants, especially sugar cane and wheat germ, in addition to beeswax. The top source is sugar cane, followed by wheat. This is why Cuba (where sugar cane is widely grown) is a major producer of this supplement.
Does policosanol really lower cholesterol?
How does it work ? Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of LDL (low-density lipoprotein or "bad") cholesterol. It might also help HDL (high-density lipoprotein or "good") cholesterol work better.
Is policosanol found in food?
Policosanol was originally derived from sugar cane but the chemicals can also be isolated from beeswax, cereal grains, grasses, leaves, fruits, nuts, and seeds of many foods. Plant waxes consist of very long chain fatty acids that have been reduced to very long chain alcohols.
Is there a natural supplement to lower cholesterol?
Niacin. Niacin is a B vitamin. Doctors sometimes suggest it for patients with high cholesterol or heart concerns. It increases the level of good cholesterol and reduces triglycerides, another fat that can clog arteries.
Is policosanol water soluble?
Policosanol has been shown to melt without decomposition and to remain stable at temperatures up to 185°C [3]. It has low solubility in water. At temperatures of 25°C and 40°C, solubility has been reported to be 1.7×10−15 mg/ml and 2.5×10−15 mg/ml [3].
How can I lower my cholesterol without taking statins?
AdvertisementEat heart-healthy foods. A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health: ... Exercise on most days of the week and increase your physical activity. Exercise can improve cholesterol. ... Quit smoking. ... Lose weight. ... Drink alcohol only in moderation.
What can I take instead of statins to lower cholesterol?
7 cholesterol-lowering alternatives to statinsFibrates. Mostly used for lowering triglyceride levels in patients whose levels are very high and could cause pancreatitis. ... Plant stanols and sterols. ... Cholestyramine and other bile acid-binding resins. ... Niacin. ... Policosanol. ... Red yeast rice extract (RYRE) ... Natural products.
How can I lower my cholesterol without medication?
9 Ways To Lower Your Cholesterol Without MedicationLimit unhealthy fats. Your body already makes all the saturated fat it needs and eating too much more can raise your cholesterol. ... Get your omega-3s. ... Eat more fiber. ... Cut back on added sugar. ... Limit alcohol. ... Quit smoking. ... Exercise on most days. ... Develop healthy sleep habits.More items...
What Is Policosanol?
Benefits
- Does policosanol really work? When it comes to how effective it is, especially in regard to lowering high cholesterol, study results have been mixed overall. Some studies and reviews have found that it can support cardiovascular functions, while others have not foundthis to be the case. Below are some of the common uses for this supplement and what...
Sources
- What foods contain policosanol? Policosanol is found in the waxes of certain plants, especially sugar cane and wheat germ, in addition to beeswax. The top source is sugar cane, followed by wheat. This is why Cuba (where sugar cane is widely grown) is a major producer of this supplement. Because you can’t obtain enough from eating sugar and wheat, it’s taken as a suppl…
Supplements/Dosage
- You may wonder: How much policosanol should I take to lower cholesterol? A typical dosage is between 10 to 20 milligrams taken once daily. Sometimes lower or higher amounts may be taken, anywhere from 5 to 80 milligrams per day depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. As mentioned above, one study from Cuba found that 40 mg/day did not offer additional benefits b…
Risks and Side Effects
- Overall, it seems safe to take policosanol in recommended doses for a relatively short period of time, such as one to three years. It’s not known how long-term use may affect the heart and arteries. Because it affects cholesterol and circulation, it may interact with some medications. People taking blood thinners, insulin or cholesterol or blood pressure mediations should talk to t…