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Unlocking the
mystery of cholesterol medications
What People
are
saying
"My cholesterol was 397 and my doctor wanted to put me on Lipitor
but I was afraid of the side effects.
Gene gave me the research
information
on policosanol for my doctor to review and although he was
somewhat skeptical he gave me the go ahead
to give it a
try.
When I got my first follow up test after 8 later total cholesterol had dropped to 240. But the best news is that my HDL cholesterol was up which improved my ratio from 7 to 4.3 which is very good.
I am elated and my doctor was pleased and I think a little bit surprised. He said "Keep on doing what you're doing." — Edith Mc Gregor
“My cholesterol is down 40 points, I have lost 50 pounds, and I'm off my blood pressure meds.” —Janice Hassler
"At doses of 10 to 20 mg per
day, Policosanol lowers total cholesterol by 17% to 21% and low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 21% to 29% and raises high-density
lipoprotein cholesterol by 8% to 15%"
American Heart Journal
Consumer Notice: If you have a medical condition, we recommend that you consult a health-care professional. The statements herein have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration or the Federal Trade Commission. The information on this website is for educational purposes only and makes no claim that its products are meant to treat, diagnose cure or prevent disease.
Are cholesterol medications making your life miserable?
Cholesterol medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, and the newest "wonder drug", Vytorin can cause muscle pain and weakness, chronic fatigue, liver and kidney dysfunction and have been reported to impair memory, thinking and concentration. Just to mention a few.
Sleep problems, dizziness and sexual function problems have also been reported with these cholesterol medications according to a study conducted by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Not a pretty picture.
And not one study has shown that these drugs do anything to lengthen a person's lifespan.
Fortunately there is a better way to lower harmful LDL cholesterol and reduce heart disease risks.
In clinical trials of nearly 30,000 persons policosanol has been proven to be safe, extremely effective and has no significant side effects. It not only lowers damaging LDL cholesterol but increases protective HDLs which are much more important in reducing the risk of a heart attack.
When I first heard about Policosanol I was skeptical because it seemed too good to be true. However, when I began to study the research I not only became convinced I got excited. This is one of the best natural products that I have ever reviewed.
Well designed clinical trials have included short and long term double-blind studies comparing policosanol to a placebo a well as blind comparative trials to well known cholesterol medications.
Dr. Michael Murray, author of Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine says this about policosanol:
"The results from the clinical studies involving nearly 30,000 total patients clearly demonstrate that policosanol is overall the absolute best answer to high cholesterol levels whether we are talking about a nutritional supplement, herbal product or drug."
Research shows that Policosanol may produce cholesterol-lowering effects within the first eight to twelve weeks of use. In one study a daily dose of 20 mg daily, LDL levels dropped by 25 to 30 percent. HDL levels increased by a whopping 15 to 25 percent!
Policosanol More Effective
Than
Statin Drugs
Reported in
New Hope Natural Media, 6/6/02
"In a six-month study, 10 mg per day of Policosanol reduced total cholesterol by 16% and LDL cholesterol by 24%, and increased HDL cholesterol by 29
Several other studies have compared Policosanol with some of the conventional medications used for lowering cholesterol and the results have shown Policosanol in the amount of 5 to 20 mg per day to be more effective than Lovastatin (Mevacor®), pravastatin (Pravachol®), and Simvastatin (Zocor®), with fewer reported side effects."
The
Benefits of Policosanol
Far Exceed Statin
Cholesterol Medications
-
Policosanol lowers the damaging LDL cholesterol, which can cling to the artery walls when oxidized.
-
It increases protective HDL cholesterol levels. The HDL molecule acts like a vacuum cleaner to pick up and carry the harmful LDL cholesterol back to the liver. Statin drugs do very little to increase HDLs.
-
Scientific studies also show that people with the highest levels of HDL cholesterol have the greatest longevity.
-
Lowers Lp(a) cholesterol. Many researchers say this is the "baddest" form of cholesterol.
-
Reduces platelet aggregation (stickiness) which lowers risk of arterial blood clots.
-
Improves intermittent claudication (pain in the leg muscles due to inadequate blood supply).
-
Policosanol may prevent and reverse atherosclerotic lesions and thrombosis (clotting).
-
Inhibits the oxidation of dangerous LDL-cholesterol which promotes the destruction of blood vessels by creating a chronic inflammatory response.
-
Doesn’t interfere with sex life as statins often do.
( I don't know about you but I don't want drugs messing with my sex life.)
A recent randomized, double-blind study of 437 patients showed that participants who took Policosanol once a day with the evening meal for 24 weeks lowered their LDL cholesterol from 18% to 25%.
The Policosanol group also increased their HDL cholesterol from 15% to 28%. High levels of HDL cholesterol may be the most important factor in protecting against cholesterol-induced arterial disease.
Example of
Typical Change In
Cholesterol Ratios With
Policosanol
| Before | After | Incr./Decr. | Improvement | |
| Total Cholesterol | 220 | 176 | -44 | -20% |
| LDLs | 142 | 114 | -28 | -20% |
| HDLs | 42 | 52 | +10 | +20% |
| LDL/HDL Ratio | 3.4 | 2.2 | -1.2 | -35% |
| Chol/HDL Ratio | 5.2 | 3.4 | -1.9 | -35% |
Policosanol is exceptionally safe
Numerous clinical trails show that elderly persons, diabetics and those with liver damage can safely take Policosanol.
In short and long-term clinical studies, policosanol has been simultaneously employed with the following drugs with no evidence of clinically relevant adverse interactions:
-
calcium antagonists
-
beta-blockers
-
diuretics
-
nitro derivative vasodilators
-
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
-
anxiolytics
-
anti-depressant
-
neuroleptics
-
oral hypoglycemic agents
-
digoxin
-
warfarin and other blood thinning drugs
-
thyroid hormones
-
anti-ulcer drugs
Dosage
The
recommended dosage of Policosanol
is
20 mg per day.
Cautions
It is a good idea to have your cholesterol checked after 8 weeks of use and reduce your dosage if it causes your cholesterol to drop below 150 mg/dL.
Many doctors fail to tell you that your risk of stroke increases if your cholesterol becomes too low.
Pregnant or nursing women should not take policosanol without consulting with a healthcare professional.
Summary
The benefits of
policosanol are well documented by
numerous studies and come with recommendations from
recognized authorities such as Dr. Michael Murray and The American Heart
Association. Unlike statin drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor, side
effects are rare and minimal.
I'm Gene Millen. Fifteen years ago a highly skilled heart
surgeon, sawed open my chest and stitched in bypasses to six of my favorite
heart arteries.
In 1993 my wife Bernie and I opened the Vital Life Center, a health and wellness center for the "'50+ crowd." Our clients over the last eleven years have included hundreds of people who have been at risk for a heart attack...and many who have already experienced them. Click here to review some pictures and comments from Vital Life Members.
The Vital Life Health and
Wellness Program
was judged #2 in the United States
in competition with more than
2,500 health clubs.
In November 2004 we retired from Vital Life to devote full time to helping people all over the U.S. live a vital, energetic and heart healthy life.
When I first heard about policosanol I was skeptical because it seemed too good to be true. However, after studying the research I not only became convinced...I got excited. This is one of the best natural products that I have ever reviewed.
Policosanol has my personal recommendation...and nothing is too good for my heart!
A word of caution.
Nutritional supplements aren't regulated by the FDA and studies show that many products do not
contain the ingredients shown on the label.
Consumer Lab tested 7 policosanol supplements and found that four contained only 23% to 78% of the ingredients listed on the bottle. "Let the buyer beware."
-
It's also wise to avoid brands made with bees wax or plant waxes as many are not as effective as the sugar cane formulas. The University of Kansas Hospital "Natural Pharmacist" website reports,
"There is reason for concern that policosanol products made with bees wax may not be effective."
I take the Vital Life Nutritionals Policosanol Extra Strength 20 mg caps. Click here to go the shopping cart.
I like the fact that they are made with sugar cane and use the exact same formula used in the clinical trials. They also provide a "no quibble money back guarantee" if for some reason policosanol doesn't work for you.
Most of the "cheap" brands don't give a breakdown of the ingredients...and you will want to read the fine print in their "guarantee" very carefully.
Yours for a vital and healthy heart for Life!
"After 60 days on policosanol I had my cholesterol checked and my total cholesterol dropped from 255 to 226 but the best news is that the HDL's went up up 43% and LDLs dropped 14% for an improvement in the important Cholesterol to HDL ration of a whopping 38%! Triglycerides also dropped 100 points, from 167 to 67, a 60% improvement.
It's great to have a natural product and not have to endure the side effects of statin cholesterol medications" —Gene Millen
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