Policosanol: Does It Really Lower Cholesterol?
Wednesday February 21, 2007
You may have already seen this emerging dietary supplement on the shelf, either as a single supplement or incorporated into a multivitamin marketed for lowering cholesterol. Previous research has praised policosanol for its ability to lower cholesterol levels, however, current studies have found that taking policosanol alone does not make a difference in cholesterol levels.
Comments
I understand that Niacin actually works better on high colesterol that some drugs. Any comments?
Niacin has a mild cholesterol lowering effect. It’s value lies in it’s dramatic ability to raise HDL better than anything else. The problem that this requires very high doses, which can be bad for the liver, especially if one also takes statins, which are also hard on the liver.
Bob
In the early 70’s Niacin was thought to be a help for Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This proved to be false but it did alert me to the side effect of Niacin which is a burning, flush sensation in the whole body most noticed in the face.