Having a high level of LDL cholesterol puts a person at risk of having coronary heart disease. Patients who have taken Policosanol extract have shown increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol. HDL actually helps carry cholesterol away from the arteries to the liver, where it is processed and excreted from the body. A relatively high proportion of HDL in your total cholesterol level may be beneficial in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.
One of the more recent popular non-prescription cholesterol-lowering agents in the last few years has been policosanol. Policosanol wax is a mixture of fatty alcohols derived from waxes of sugar cane (the main source of marketed policosanol,) yams, and beeswax. It originated in Cuba, and most of the clinical studies that have claimed a benefit with this substance were conducted in Cuba. Because of its increasing popularity, most supplement companies that sell Policosanol extract in pills of 10mg, 20mg and more.
Before we understand the benefits of policosanol, it is important to know about the blood cholesterol. If you think that you are safe with the total cholesterol level of 200 you still run the risk. Because, you never know what is the proportion of good and bad cholesterol in the total count. Surprising when I talk about good cholesterol? Because all the time we hear that cholesterol is bad for health. We do not differentiate between good and bad.
Bad cholesterol is technically called low density lipoprotein (LDL). Other than hereditary in nature and relative to age and sex, the LDL can be controlled. The food we eat, the weight we maintain and the physical exercise we perform are definitely within our control. If we eat food containing saturated fat (like cream, cheese, butter, ghee, palm oil or coconut oil etc.), trans-fat (like stick margarines, high-fat baked foods, foods prepared with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil etc.) and egg yolks, meat etc., they will increase the level of LDL in our blood. Regular work out and maintaining body weight will reduce the level of LDL.
POLICOSANOL is a dietary supplement. Policosanol is claimed to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. The product may benefit people with high cholesterol, those with a history of stroke or transient inschemic attack, or people with intermittent claudication (pain in the legs with walking). Policosanol is not officially endorsed by the FDA for any purpose. Some products also contain coenzyme Q10.
Policosanol tablets or capsules should be taken orally with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the package label and only purchase name brands to ensure quality and purity. Look for policosanol and other great cholesterol lowering supplements at your local or internet health food store.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Policosanol is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.