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02.21.07
Indication:
Cholesterol
Source:
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, December 2006;84(6):1543-8.
Research:
Historically, the use of policosanol to treat elevated cholesterol is based on clinical trials conducted in Cuba, which showed sugar cane-derived policosanol to be similar in efficacy to statins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of sugar cane-derived policosanol in healthy adults with mild hypercholesterolemia. The primary outcome was the percentage change in LDL cholesterol after 8 weeks of therapy. Secondary outcome measures included changes in total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols, C-reactive protein and nuclear magnetic resonance-determined lipoprotein profile. Dietary habits, weight and blood pressure were also monitored. This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted from January through August 2005 and the subjects included 40 healthy adults with mild hypercholesterolemia, who were assigned to receive oral policosanol (20 mg) or placebo once daily for 8 weeks.
Results:
No significant differences in the change in LDL cholesterol were observed between the placebo and policosanol groups. Also, no significant changes in secondary outcome measures, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triacylglycerol, C-reactive protein, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy-determined profiles were observed. Policosanol was well tolerated, and no significant adverse events were noted, but researchers concluded that it does not alter the serum lipid profile over an 8-week period in adults with mild hypercholesterolemia.