All about Policosanol (also known as Polycosanol)

Policosanol (polycosanol) is a natural waxy extract from sugar cane. Its use as a supplement has been proven in numerous clinical trials to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) more effectively and safely than prescription statin drugs.

Hard numbers show that Policosanol can lower one’s bad Cholesterol (LDL) by up to 20% and raise beneficial cholesterol (HDL) by 10%.

It works by obstructing the synthesis of cholesterol from the liver. Contrary to what most people believe, the vast majority of cholesterol does not come from diet, but from our liver, which produces more than 80% of it.

In addition, policosanol helps protect against the formation of lesions in arterial walls, protecting against heart disease, and also acts as an anti-coagulant, similar to aspirin.

Anti-coagulants help prevent the formation of clots. Such clots can often lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Policosanol seems to be a very safe supplement, given the extensive and lengthy history of clinical trials it has undergone. Some people worry that because it comes from sugar cane wax that it will raise blood sugar levels; it doesn't.

Also, there doesn’t appear to be any adverse interactions when taken in conjunction with prescription heart medications. However, consulting with your physician if you are currently on other drugs is definitely advised before supplementation.

Policosanol is a very compelling alternative to statin drugs, which have been documented to produce undesirable side effects, such as liver dysfunction and atrophy of muscle. Not only that, but there have probably been more studies and trials conducted on policosanol than for most prescription drugs. The efficacy, in short, is indisputable.

Similarly, another herb, called

Having a high triglyceride level in conjunction with high cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease exponentially. Both policosanol and gugulipid can be combined together in a potent and effective cocktail.

1. There are many products on the market claiming to use “Policosanol” but in fact are using “Octacosanol.” Also, there are many products that derive their “Policosanol” from bees wax, not sugar cane wax. These are INCOMPLETE forms and will NOT give the results outlined in the numerous clinical trials. The clinical trials were conducted using only genuine policosanol from sugar cane wax.

The reason why many companies use bees wax or Octacosanol is because these substances are many times cheaper. In fact, genuine policosanol costs more than 20 times that of Octacosanol. The modus operandi of these unscrupulous companies is to quote clinical studies of the genuine substance that do not validly apply to the version of policosanol products they produce, and hope you never find out.

2. Ensure your Policosanol supplement is produced at pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which manufacture to the highest regulatory standards. Because the dietary supplement industry is largely unregulated, most of the products on the market do not have the amount of active ingredient that is claimed on the label.

Why not buy the best? Your health depends on it.

One company that meets the above requirements -- and much more -- is Xtend-Life Natural Products from New Zealand. Their breakthrough, Cholesterol Formula, contains policosanol along with gugulipid, in addition to many other heart healthy nutrients.

We here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info have family members who have been taking this product and achieved excellent results.