Policosanol a Bust?
Tuesday May 30, 2006
Policosanol, a a mixture of fatty alcohols derived from waxes of sugar cane, yams, and beeswax, has become an increasingly popular method of non-prescription cholesterol-lowering in recent years. It has even been added to multivitamin preparations (at a premium). Policosanol originated in Cuba, and virtually all of the clinical evidence that it reduces cholesterol levels comes from a single source in that country. Now, a new, well-controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted in Germany has revealed NO evidence that policosanol reduces lipid levels. What gives? Read about this new information on policosanol, and DrRich's take, here.
Comments
In regards to your article about Policosanol. With absolutely no other changes in my diet or lack of exercize, I took Policosanol that is made from sugar cane alcohols and my cholesterol dropped 37 points while taking 1 20mg capsule once a day. There are no side effects as you have with statin drugs and there is no damage you liver or joints. Please do more research from an independent source and not from a source that is funded by Vytorin. Statin drugs are killing /disabling more people than the public will ever be aware of due to the FDA also receiving big financial support from the drug companies. Thank you for your time. BMcDaniel
I am glad policosanol seems to have worked for you. The randomized trial showing absolutely NO benefit from policosanol in a large group of carefully studied patients was conducted NOT by the company that makes Vytorin, but instead by the German company Madaus, an outfit that was applying to market policosanol in Germany. They were betting big bucks on a positive outcome for policosanol. They lost.
I would be wary of any single report especially from a pharmaceutal company who could be influenced or getting kick backs from drug companies. I’ve read many reports of successful results from apparently reputable studies and individuals. I have experienced apparently good results myself. To be fair, I have heard some people say it doesn’t seem to work for them. One problem could be that the way it is made may vary considerably since it is a suppliment and different perparations could have considerably different results. I am not going to chunk the whole idea just because of one German report. Hopefully more studies will be forthcoming but we should never underestimate the determination and ingenuity of big drug companies and corporations to squash any potential competition. Also keep in mind the statin drugs are the leading drug sellers and drug companies are reaping billions of profits each year. Does anyone doubt the drug companies would hesitate in the least to undermine something like policosanol?