About Policosanol
Policosanol, also known as Octacosanol, is a dietary supplement that is traditionally derived from sugarcane in its natural form. It is readily available in many areas of the globe, but due to the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, it is no longer widely sold in the United States. Instead, the U.S. manufacturers Policosanol supplements that are made from beeswax or wheat germ.
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Uses
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Policosanol is commonly used to lower LDL or “bad cholesterol and to raise HDL or “good” cholesterol. Some claim that the supplement can lower LDL cholesterol as well as the prescription drug Statin without the negative side effects. It does this by restricting cholesterol formation in the liver.
Side Effects
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Based on clinical studies, the most common side effects of Policosanol include insomnia, skin rash, weight loss, headache and indigestion. These effects were usually mild and short lived in most patients.
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Dosage
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The dosage a patient is prescribed varies based on cholesterol levels. It generally ranges anywhere from 5 to 10 mg, two times daily.
Effectiveness
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Overall effectiveness of Policosanol has been frequently questioned by the medical community. This is because the vast majority of studies conducted that proved its effectiveness were performed by a single research group in Cuba where the supplement is manufactured.
Warnings
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Policosanol can interfere or intensify many prescription and over-the-counter medications. These include blood thinners and drugs that prevent blood clotting or anti-platelet drugs like aspirin. It has also been shown to increase side effects in the Parkinson’s disease drug Levodopa.
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