This week in the HSI Forum "Policosanol is supposed to do all the right things for cholesterol problems." So begins an HSI Forum thread titled "Policosanol," posted by an HSI member named JNM. Policosanol is a mix of fatty alcohols derived primarily from sugar cane or beeswax, and is considered a natural alternative to cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Lipitor. JNM goes on to tell about his experience with policosanol, saying: "My doctor wanted to double my dose of Lipitor, but I decided to keep the same dose and add Policosanol 23mg. That was 7 weeks ago. In my latest test Total increased by 3.3%, LDL by 5.7% and Triglycerides by 29%, while HDL dropped by 5%. Everything moved the wrong way! Does anyone know if the statins and policosanol adversely interact to make things worse? Has anyone used policosanol by itself for cholesterol?" Some of the responses to JNM's posting rightly question the urgency of lowering LDL cholesterol - especially with statin drugs. But other members offer their experiences with policosanol. A member named Rosie posted these comments that specifically address JNM's situation: "Don't get upset about the numbers going up just yet. Policosanol will initially raise them, (I forget why, possibly because it's cleaning out your arteries, so you get a temporary rise in serum levels). All I can tell you is they recommend you wait three months before having it rechecked after starting with Policosanol. Taking it with the Lipitor wouldn't have that effect since they are basically the same thing - statins, one natural, one synthetic. However, I would be careful with the dosages, too much statins (natural or drugs) can cause liver inflammation." Meanwhile, a member named Sharon has an opinion about the different types of policosanol, stating her opinion the only type that really works is the sugar cane extracts. She says, "I have tried them all, the ones from bee and wheat sources just do nothing, at least for me. I have continued with this regimen using only sugar cane extracted policosanol (which was tested on 35,000 people in Cuba) with wonderful results." HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., mentioned policosanol in an e-Alert I sent you last spring. Describing what he called "powerful tools against cholesterol levels," he listed policosanol, along with niacin (vitamin B-3), vitamin C, and a low carbohydrate intake. He said, "When these tools aren't enough, the addition of calcium and magnesium, along with avoidance of allergic foods and anything that stimulates insulin release (sugars, refined flours) often makes up the difference." Because policosanol has benefits that go beyond just lowering cholesterol, I'll have more information about this unique botanical in an e-Alert next week. In the meantime, the "Policosanol" thread contains some practical information about heart health, as does another Forum thread titled "Safe removal of coronary plaque." Other items of interest on the HSI Forum this week include a discussion about good sources of "Whey Protein"; some tips about chlorine-free "Swimming pool chemicals"; and a thread titled "Ladies…BURN YOUR BRAS" - an amusing title with some serious speculation about a link between bras and breast cancer.
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