A plant-derived compound called policosanol may have the ability to slow the progression of arterial narrowing due to plaque and may be able to reverse (dissolve) existing plaque. Also, it may have additional benefits that statin drugs do not.
Policosanol is the generic term for a mixture of long-chain alcohols extracted from natural plant waxes. It appears to make blood less likely to form dangerous clots by decreasing platelet aggregation and lowering fibrinogen levels (statins cannot do this). In one medical study, 10 mg of policosanol taken twice daily worked better than 100 mg of aspirin. In another study, policosanol lowered cholesterol as well as statin drugs.
Policosanol lowered LDL (“bad cholesterol”) as well as statin drugs, and it raised HDL (“good”) cholesterol (statins cannot do this). Most importantly, policosanol may have the ability to gradually dissolve existing arterial plaque. In one study, not only did the plaque stop getting worse, there was actual regression of plaque.
Comments: Even though policosanol looks very promising, if you are on a statin drug, do NOT discontinue it until you talk with your doctor.
References:
Janikula M. Policosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease? Altern Med Rev. 2002 Jun;7(3):203-17
Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.
Castaño G, Más R, Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Illnait J, Fernández JC, Molina V, Menéndez A., Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res. 1999;19(4):105-16.
