Policosanol

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, August-Sept, 2004 by Jule Klotter

Policosanol (pronounced polly-KOH-san-all) is a natural compound, found in sugar-cane wax, that Cuban doctors have used for decades to prevent and treat heart disease. In Basic Health Publications User's Guide to Policosanol & Other Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol, Mark Stengler, ND, explains that Policosanol has several advantages over cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Policosanol reduces harmful LDL cholesterol as effectively as statin drugs, but it also prevents oxidation of LDL and increases beneficial HDL cholesterol. Policosanol also affects other factors believed to contribute to heart disease; it improves circulation, reduces blood clot formation, reduces inflammation in arterial walls, and decreases lipoprotein (a) levels. Lipoprotein (a), according to Dr. Stengler, is a stronger risk factor for heart disease than LDL cholesterol. "Some studies show that cholesterol medications such as Mevacor and Zocor may actually increase Lp(a) levels," he writes. Policosanol provides all these benefits without the negative side effects that accompany statin drugs.

Statin drugs such as Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor inhibit the liver enzyme HMG CoA reductase. This enzyme helps the liver make cholesterol. The enzyme is also necessary for CoQ10 synthesis. Cells use CoQ10 for energy production, and it helps strengthen and stabilize the heart's contractions. Unlike statin drugs, Policosanol is not toxic to the liver and doesn't seem to interfere with the liver's ability to metabolize other drugs, including heart medications. Although studies show a high degree of safety, Dr. Stengler says that pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers should avoid taking Policosanol (or any cholesterol-lowering drug) because cholesterol and its metabolites are necessary for fetal and infant development.

User's Guide to Policosanol and Other Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol contains excellent descriptions of various cardiovascular conditions for the layperson and discusses currently-known risk factors. Many of the risk markers for heart disease can be lessened with nutrients and herbs. This little book makes a fine primer for those interested in more natural ways to prevent heart disease.

Stengler, Mark, ND. Basic Health Publications User's Guide to Policosanol & Other Natural Ways to Lower Cholesterol. (Basic Health Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-59120-051-2)