|
Policosanol derived from sugar cane wax is strongly indicated in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia and its related diseases such as atherosclerosis. The correlation between low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and coronary heart disease has long been established and demonstrated in clinical settings (1-3). The oxidation of LDL in blood vessels is closely related with the presentation of atherosclerotic lesions. Studies have shown that the prevention of high cholesterol is beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. The most common treatments for hypercholesterolemia involve either limiting cholesterol absorption or the interruption of cholesterol synthesis. However, there is strong evidence that supplements affecting the oxidative changes that occur after cholesterol ingestion and synthesis can also provide therapeutic benefits (4). Subjects with hypercholesterolemia given daily doses of Policosanol experienced decreased susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, indicating that Policosanol has anit-oxidant capability. In addition there is overwhelming evidence that Policosnaol from sugar cane wax has a cholesterol lowering effect in both animal and human models (5-6). These findings imply a two-fold mechanism both in terms of attenuated cell-mediated oxidation and lowered serum LDL levels through the inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis ( Kassis 6-9, ). More recently, the benefits of Policosanol have been shown to extend beyond cholesterol control to uses in liver health.
The main constituent of Policosanol, Octacosanol, was recently found to combat liver damage in animal models. Preliminary evidence indicated the animals given oral doses of Policosanol tend to have lower concentrations of lipid peroxide (10). A 2008 study examined the effects of Octacosanol on hepatic function after induced liver damage. The results reveal that Octacosanol treated animals had significantly lower levels of lipid peroxides than their untreated counterparts. This means that orally administered Octacosanol slows the production of oxidizing radicals even when acute liver injury is present (11).
The previous evidence strongly indicates that Policosanol is quite effective in terms of liver and cardiovascular health. There is evidence that it works as both an anti-oxidant and cholesterol lowering agent. Its oral applications indicate that it can certainly provide strong benefits when incorporated in foods, beverages, or daily supplements. HerbaKraft Policosanol comes standardized to 75% 1-Octacosanol and 90% total Policosanol alcohols. |
|
1. Frick ME, Elo O, Haapa K. Helsinki heart study: Primary intervention trial with gemfibrozil in middle aged men with dislypidemia. N Engl J Med. 1987;317:1237–1245.
2. Lipid Research Clinical Program. The lipid research clinics primary prevention trial result. I. Reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease. JAMA. 1984;251:351–364
3. Lipid Research Clinical Program. The lipid research clinics coronary primary prevention trial result. II. The relationship of reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease to cholesterol-lowering. JAMA. 1984;251:365–374
4. Menéndez R, Más R, Amor AM, González RM, Fernández JC, Rodeiro I, Zayas M,Jiménez S. Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modification in vitro. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2000 Sep;50(3):255-62.
5. Arruzazabala ML, Carbajal D, Más R, Molina V, Valdés S, Laguna A. Cholesterol-lowering effect of policosanol on normocholesterolemic rabbits. Biol Res. 1994;27:205–208.
6. Menéndez R, Arruzazabala ML, Más R, et al. Cholesterol-lowering effect of policosanol on rabbits with hypercholesterolemia induced by a wheat starch-casein diet. Br J Nutr. 1997;77:923–932.
7. Menendez R, Amor AM, Gonzalez RM, Fraga V, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis of normocholesterolemic rats. Biol Res. 1996;29:253–257.
8. Menendez R, Fernandez SI, Del Rio A, Gonzalez RM, Fraga V, Amor AM, Mas RM. Policosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res. 1994;27:199–203.
9. Fernandez J, Mas R, Castano G, Menendez R, Amor A, Gonzalez R, Alvarez E. Comparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol versus Fluvastatin in elderly hypercholesterolemic women. Clin Drug Invest. 2001;21:103–113.
10. Fraga V., Menendez R., Amor A.N., Gonzalez R.M., Jimenez S., Mas R. Effect of policosanol on in vitro and in vivo rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation. Arch. Med. Res. 1997;28:355–360.
11. Ohta Y, Ohashi K, Matsura T, Tokunaga K, Kitagawa A, Yamada K. Octacosanol attenuates disrupted hepatic reactive oxygen species metabolism associated with acute liver injury progression in rats intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2008 Mar;42(2):118-25
Disclaimer: The statements here in have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. |