Harvest Moon Brand Policosanol - 10 mg. 90 Vegetarian Capsules

NEW SIZE! 90 Vegetarian Capsules!

Policosanol is a mixture of fatty alcohols. These active substances work to lower cholesterol levels by several mechanisms.

It inhibits cholesterol manufacturer but does so prior to HMG-CoA reductase. In addition policosanol also exerts exceptional effects on LDL-cholesterol metabolism. Specifically, policosanol increases LDL receptor processing. It exerts this effect by increasing the binding of LDL to its receptor, improving the transport of LDL into the liver cell, and significantly enhancing the breakdown of LDL cholesterol. In addition to lowering LDL, policosanol has also been shown to increase HDL, protect against free radical damage to LDL-cholesterol, and inhibit excessive platelet aggregation.

All together, policosanol exerts many pharmacological actions of benefit in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. The clinical documentation for policosanol is exceptional. Well-designed clinical trials have included short and long-term, randomized, double-blind studies comparing policosanol to a placebo as well as double-blind comparative trials versus statin drugs, fibrates, acipimox, and probucol. Policosanol produces cholesterol-lowering effects within the first 6-8 weeks of use. At a daily dosage of 10 mg of policosanol at night, LDL cholesterol levels typically drop by 20 to 25% within the first six months of therapy. At a dosage of 20 mg, LDL levels typically drop by 25-30%. HDL cholesterol levels typically increase by 15 to 25% after only two months of use. The combined LDL reduction and HDL increase can produce dramatic improvements in the LDL to HDL ratio. These improvements in lipid profiles compare quite favorably to results observed with statin drugs. From comparative studies it can be concluded that 10 mg of policosanol is equivalent in efficacy to 20 mg of lovastatin and 10 mg of simvastatin and pravastatin. But, while these drugs have well-known side effects, policosanol is completely safe.

Policosanol has not been shown to produce any adverse drug interaction as well and it can be used in diabetics, elderly subjects, and even in patients with impaired liver function or severe liver damage without fear of side effect. The recommended dosage of policosanol is 10 mg at the evening meal. It is given at night because most cholesterol manufacture occurs at night. As with other cholesterol-lowering therapies, dosage can be adjusted based upon checking the blood cholesterol levels every two months.