Cholesterol has become the bane of existence for many dieters out there. Indeed, one doesn’t typically hear the phrase used, or see it printed, unless it points to yet another distressing fact — that high cholesterol is the primary factor for coronary heart disease, and the number one cause of heart attacks [i]. Cholesterol isn’t a bad thing. On the contrary, cholesterol plays a significant role in forming cell membranes, regulating hormones, insulating nerves, and more. The drawback with cholesterol therefore lays not in cholesterol itself, but the amount of cholesterol present within the bloodstream. This condition is called hypercholesterolemia. Too much cholesterol within the body’s blood is unable to dissolve easily and can’t be simply carried to cells using the carrier LDL or low-density lipoprotein. Bad cholesterol builds up and interferes with the arteries’ capacity to move blood to the brain and to the heart. LDL cholesterol build-up usually cause heart attack and stroke [ii]. It’s not easy to cut back one’s cholesterol levels. Eliminating certain foods from one’s diet is among the first steps that have to be taken and some with hypercholesterolemia require medical intervention. As such, dozens of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are currently available on the market, and while some individuals have experienced relief due to their use, there are side effects that cause concern, including nausea, diarrhea, muscle tenderness, and increased liver enzymes [iii]. Out-of-pocket statin drugs are also costly if not covered by a drug plan. One product that has got lots of attention is policosinol because of its potential to help lower cholesterol levels. Derived from the wax of sugarcanes and honeybees, policosinol is alleged by some to reduce cholesterol, offer no known side effects, be safe in high doses, increase blood flow, reduce platelet clumps, and forestall atherosclerosis (plaque buildup on the artery walls)[iv]. Studies have been carried out on policosinol efficacy, and there is some empirical evidence that supports it as a high LDL cholesterol remedy. A 2002 study by researchers at the University of Bonn reviewed 60 clinical trials involving 3000 patients, and concluded with cautious optimism that policosinol is a promising alternative to cholesterol lowering stain drugs, and thus warrants further study[v]. There are some who’re still skeptical concerning the effects of policosinol and consider it as more of a wonder cure than an actual remedy. Many point out that policosinol is not FDA approved. As such, it has not been subjected to the rigorous testing that comes with approving a new drug, including supervised preclinical trials and standardized testing in successively larger populations of people. The approval rate for the FDA is low, however because it only approves 1 out of 5000 or .0002 of applicants. This brings up the question of whether or not doctors should have the ability to prescribe non-FDA approved drugs and not worry about possible malpractice lawsuits. An MD might try the remedy his or herself yet be unable to prescribe it to his or her patients. Two separate debates coexist regarding policosinol’s effectiveness and the FDA approval. This debate is frustrating to all sides; including sufferers themselves, who simply want a real solution. There is currently an effort happening to develop or discover a safe and free of side-effects remedy. Additional policosinol research may help clarify these issues. REFERENCES [i] Source: “Heart Mender”. CNN.Com. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/science.medicine/pro.pridker.html [ii] Source: “Cholesterol”. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4488 [iii] Source: “Statin Medications: What are the Side Effects?”. Mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00587 [iv] Source: “Policosinol ”. Wholehealthmd.com. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10127,00.html [v] Source: “Policosinol : clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent”. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Am Heart J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
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