In the video below, I summarize the pros and cons of Policosanol… And how to best use it to help support healthy cholesterol – for maximum safety and effectiveness.
So How Effective Is Policosanol For Supporting Healthy Cholesterol & Triglycerides?…
Policosanol is a natural supplement extracted from sugar cane, but it’s not sugar – it’s an alcohol. Actually, it’s a mixture of eight alcohols (all solids), and in that, it has something oddly in common with cholesterol itself. Cholesterol is also a solid alcohol but of a very different kind.
You’ve often heard cholesterol described as a “steroid”, and it is that. Technically, it’s a steroid alcohol or sterol, and there is a “connection” between the two.
Policosanol reduces your total cholesterol mainly by supporting healthy LDL-cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”), which is the dominant kind in your bloodstream.1 At the same time it helps increase your HDL-cholesterol (“good cholesterol”), which exists in smaller amounts.1
It also helps support healthy triglycerides, which is the technical term for fats.2
Together, triglycerides and fatty substances such as cholesterol are called lipids.
Is Policosanol Safer Than Statin Drugs?…
In people with high cholesterol, it has been shown in numerous clinical trials2,3 that policosanol is equal to or better than the most widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs: the statins, such as lovastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin.3,5
And it has a better safety profile than the drugs, typically showing fewer side effects or none at all.
It is safe to take even in higher amounts far beyond those in actual use.3,5
Policosanol Reduces Plaque
In patients with atherosclerosis, it is not uncommon to find lesions (plaque buildup) in one or both carotid arteries – a dangerous situation, because blood flow to the brain is thereby impaired. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial on 22 patients with this condition, researchers found improvement as a result of taking 10 mg/day of policosanol for one year.4
A progression of the disease was seen in three of the 11 patients in the control group but in no patients in the policosanol group. Better yet, there was actual regression of the disease in six of the 11 patients in the policosanol group.4
Warnings & “Scams”
As with anything, there are always potential “negatives” and here are a few things you want to watch out for:
- When selecting a good Policosanol supplement, make sure it contains a specific “octacosanol” form and NOT the cheaper form of “beta-sistosterol”, which is better suited for prostate inflammation and NOT cholesterol reduction.1
- For total heart healthy, it’s best to NOT take only the Policosanol by itself because you would have to take a much higher dose of it to work and that’s when potential negative side-effects start, especially for long-term usage – such as adaptation (more about this in a second…)
But, don’t go out and spend your hard-earned money on Policosanol just yet …
So, What’s YOUR Best & Safest Solution?…
I’ll be honest with you. No single ingredient works at 100% effectiveness forever, let alone for every person. And that includes Policosanol or any other single herb or nutrient.
Think about it. Just like you don’t eat only broccoli for best health, you don’t want to use only one herb or nutrient either.
The best products use Policosanol, in conjunction with other key ingredients, at specific dosages to help create healthy cholesterol levels, HDL/LDL ratios, and triglycerides.
This way, all of your lipid levels are in a healthy range, without your body adapting to any single nutrient and without any negative side effects.
Scientifically Proven Herbs That Work Best With Policosanol
Other key ingredients you should look for when purchasing a product, which also works in synergy with Policosanol are:
- Sytrinol®
- Co-Q10
- Red Yeast Rice (only the extract form)
- Garlic Extract (make sure it’s Deodorized with 1.3% alliin)
- Pantesin® d-Pantethine
- Guggulsterones (make sure it’s 10% Pure Extract; E and Z)
- Artichoke Leaf Extract (make sure it’s 15% Chlorogenic Acid, 5% Cynarin)
- Phytosterols Complex
Additionally, whatever product you select – make sure it has a liver cleansing formula (because your liver is where cholesterol problems first start) and something to reduce Homocysteine levels (which is 43% of the cause of heart attacks).6 This is REALLY IMPORTANT!
When the above ingredients are combined together in proper ratios, the “synergy” creates a much more effective solution, at a lower dose – WITHOUT your body adapting or having negative side effects. That’s the secret!…
Confused? Too Many Options & Choices? Here’s What Other People Have Done…
Now, you might be thinking, “Geez, I don’t want to take 20-30 pills a day, buying a bunch of bottles and herbs” and I don’t blame you. Who has the time OR money?…
Fortunately, there’s an “all-in-one” remedy called CholesLo™, which contains the above key ingredients, in specific extracted dosages — in addition to a couple of other helpful ingredients.
The feedback has been amazing and since the product has been around since 1999, you know it works!
Anyways, there’s a free video about how CholesLo™ works, how you’ll benefit, view clinical studies, customer reviews, etc… Take a look and let me know what you think!
- Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent.
- Effect of sugar cane policosanol on lipid profile in primary hypercholesterolemia
- Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia.
- Effects of policosanol 20 versus 40 mg/day in the treatment of patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a 6-month double-blind study
- Natural substance lowers cholesterol better than statins
- Homocysteine lowering and cardiovascular disease risk