Policosanol: Cholesterol Fighter

Policosanol (from sugar cane) Policosanol, a long chain aliphatic saturated alcohol, derived from the waxy surface of sugar cane has come to be known for its potential effects on lowering cholesterol, particularly low density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad cholesterol. Policosanol is now available as a supplement all around the world, and has been hailed by natural health companies as a legitimate alternative to traditional cholesterol lowering drugs known as statins.

It is usually found in five to 20 milligram doses. While being found to lower overall and so-called bad cholesterol levels, Policosanol is also believed to increase levels of high density (HPL), or good cholesterol, which helps to deliver LPL away from the arteries and into the liver, where it can then be disposed of.

While doctors have been unable to pin-point the exact mechanism that makes policosanol work as a cholesterol reducing substance, it is understood that the primary component of it is octacosanol. Still, the abundance of octacosanol inside policosanol is not yet known to be a direct connection to policosanols efficacy with regards to lowering overall and LDL cholesterol levels.

Some studies published in major medical journals using policosanol have shown an effective total cholesterol reduction of eight to 18 percent while others have indicated an 11 to 28 percent drop in LDL levels in particular. Another policosanol study found an increase in HDL levels of between 17 and 29 percent. The drop-our rate of patients was only one in 100, and the most common side effect was weight loss.

It is advised to take policosanol if you suffer from hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol), but it is also not considered a replacement for a good diet and healthy lifestyle. It will likely work better when complemented by a healthy lifestyle. While policosanol appears to be a promising natural alternative to statins, sound advice still suggests that everyone considering using policosanol should consult a physician first.

Recommended Policosanol Supplement

We have stumbled upon a company that produces a product that provides the highest quality of Policosanol is Xtend-Life Natural Products from New Zealand. Xtend-Life has one of the strictest regulatory environments in the world for the manufacture of dietary supplements, far exceeding U.S. FDA standards.

Their flagship product, Total Balance, contains standardized Policosanol, along with many other potent herbal supplement extracts, numerous vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other speciality nutrients, many of which are documented in this site.

We here at www.InstantHealthSecret.com personally take Xtend-Life's Total Balance as the foundation of our own health regimen and have achieved excellent results: we have noticed an increase in energy, mental acuity, and general sense of well-being.