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POLICOSANOL
Policosinol is one of the most promising nutritional supplements in recent history. It is a combination of longchain
fatty alcohols (no biological similarity to ethanol) that are isolated and refined from sugar cane wax
(Saccharum officinarum). Octacosanol is the most important of these isolated alcohols, followed by seven other
prominent high aliphatic (open-chain structure) alcohols. This unique extract was originally studied in Cuba as a
cholesterol-lowering agent and is an approved treatment for high cholesterol in about two-dozen countries.
Policosinol appears to slow down cholesterol synthesis in the liver and increase liver re-absorption of low-density
lipoproteins (LDL). Policosinol has also been shown to increase levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL).
Cholesterol is a fat-related substance necessary for good health. It is a normal component of most body tissues,
especially those of the brain, nervous system, liver and blood and is needed to form the sex and adrenal hormones,
vitamin D and bile; a digestive secretion required for fat digestion. A high level of blood cholesterol, however,
increases the likelihood of developing health problems such as heart disease. There are five types of cholesterol,
but it is the HDL and LDL cholesterol that we look to in assessing the potential for disease.
HDL, referred to as the “good” cholesterol, has the ability to clear built-up cholesterol from the arteries and help
in its removal from the body. LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, is linked to heart disease and is involved in the fatty
build-up on artery walls known as atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries". Recent research indicates that
low HDL levels are a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease.
One of Policosinol’s important actions is to reduce the abundance of cells in the arteries by inhibiting the oxidation
of LDL. Oxidized LDL is dangerous. It promotes the destruction of blood vessels by creating a chronic
inflammatory response. Oxidized LDL can also provoke metalloproteinase enzymes. These enzymes promote
blood vessel destruction, partly by interfering with HDL’s protective effect. Healthy arteries are lined with a
smooth layer of cells that permit the blood to pass with no resistance. Unhealthy arteries become overwhelmed
with cells, causing the blood passage to narrow and eventually be blocked which can lead to heart attack.
In recent studies, Policosinol has been compared favorably to statin drugs, which are lipid-lowering drugs that
reduce cholesterol levels by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of cholesterol. Statin drugs and
Policosinol show similar performance with reducing LDL levels but and only Policosinol shows better
performance with increasing HDL levels. Research is showing that high levels of HDL cholesterol may be the
most important factor in protecting against cholesterol-induced arterial disease.
Policosinol also appears to be helpful for intermittent
claudication, a disease characterized by severe occlusion of the
arterial system in the lower part of the body. The arteries
supplying the legs with blood may become seriously blocked in
advanced stages of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
This can lead to severe, crampy pain when you walk more than
a short distance, because the muscles are starved for oxygen.
Although we don't know how Policosinol helps in this condition,
evidence suggests that it can "thin" the blood (or technically,
impair platelet aggregation) to about the same extent as aspirin
at a dose of 100 mg per day.
Olympian Labs uses only the highest quality Policosinol
available on the market. Our 100% pure vegetarian formulation
contains no animal bi-products and is available in easy-toswallow
kosher-certified capsules.
AVAILABLE SIZES:
#392 / 5mg / 60 VitaVeg™ Caps
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease.
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