jkhh
09-17-2006, 01:02 PM
I am age 39 male, 6' 195 lb male with about a five year history of untreated cholesterol >250. My family doctor placed me on Crestor 5 mg about 3 years ago and it brought my cholesterol below 160. At the start of this year, I began feeling the negative effects that many of you have described on your posts (esp. achy knees, calves, hamstrings and just a plain negative thought process). I stopped taking it and supplemented with COQ-10 after stumbling upon such research about it. COQ-10 worked well and I'm feeling much better but I'm still thinking of taking it again because of what I've learned about it. My doctor still wants my total below 200 so he put me on 500 mg Niaspan (prescription Niacin) for 30 days and then 1000 mg. For anyone who has never experienced the true Niacin flush, I certainly hope you don't ever have it! I never saw my labs with Niaspan because I couldn't handle the flushing. I did try Flush-free Niacin 1000 mg a couple of years ago and it did not work (for me).
I have recently begun supplementing with Vitamin C, E a GNC multi-vitamin, flax seed (powder), wheat germ . I have used fish oil tablets and drink a few glasses of red wine per week too. I have been reading more about Policosanol and am wondering if others have successful results with it. Quite frankly, the lab results sound too good to be true (in both reducing bad and increasing good). I do know that there is much criticism of it because many of the studies have come from Cuba and it is a natural byproduct (I think?) of sugar cane. Also, please feel free to offer advise on what I am presently (or not) doing with regards to my cholesterol. If it helps, I take 300 mg/day for high uric acid (pseudo-Gout).
I have recently begun supplementing with Vitamin C, E a GNC multi-vitamin, flax seed (powder), wheat germ . I have used fish oil tablets and drink a few glasses of red wine per week too. I have been reading more about Policosanol and am wondering if others have successful results with it. Quite frankly, the lab results sound too good to be true (in both reducing bad and increasing good). I do know that there is much criticism of it because many of the studies have come from Cuba and it is a natural byproduct (I think?) of sugar cane. Also, please feel free to offer advise on what I am presently (or not) doing with regards to my cholesterol. If it helps, I take 300 mg/day for high uric acid (pseudo-Gout).
Sponsor
BamaC
09-17-2006, 06:24 PM
Gee, I hate to hear that the flush-free niacin didn't work for you because I just today started taking it. I'll be working up to 1500 mg. daily. Let's hope it works for me. Re: the policosanol, I took 20mg. daily for 6 mos. and my TC went up 4 points. However, the HDL also increased, triglycerides dropped 40 points and the risk rate fell back into the normal range. All in all, I was very disappointed. Others on this board have had greater success with it. I think someone called Hubble has had good results on it.
Lenin
09-17-2006, 06:32 PM
judge,
If it helps, I take 300 mg/day for high uric acid (pseudo-Gout).
I'm confused by that line. Do you mean to be saying that you take 300 mg. ALLOPURINOL for high uric acid? In any case, pseudo-gout is cause by calcium pyrophosphate and NOT uric acid which is the cause of TRUE Gout.
Or are you taking policosanol, 300 mg. for this condition?????
In any case, I think policosanol is useless in cholesterol control but some people claim benefits. Best you can do is to try it and test your reaction to it. I have never used it becasue most on this forum who have tried it have reported poor results.
p.s. I take either 200 or 300 mg. allopurinol for gout. It works superbly...no attack for almost a decade.
If it helps, I take 300 mg/day for high uric acid (pseudo-Gout).
I'm confused by that line. Do you mean to be saying that you take 300 mg. ALLOPURINOL for high uric acid? In any case, pseudo-gout is cause by calcium pyrophosphate and NOT uric acid which is the cause of TRUE Gout.
Or are you taking policosanol, 300 mg. for this condition?????
In any case, I think policosanol is useless in cholesterol control but some people claim benefits. Best you can do is to try it and test your reaction to it. I have never used it becasue most on this forum who have tried it have reported poor results.
p.s. I take either 200 or 300 mg. allopurinol for gout. It works superbly...no attack for almost a decade.
jkhh
09-17-2006, 07:15 PM
I take the Allopurinol for high uric acid but my symptoms were never in the big toe, per se, but in the ball and arch of my foot and ankle (which I always understood to be psuedo-gout or "gouty like"). Regardless, like you, I haven't had any problems with it while on Allopurinol. Other than my Allegra, it's the one prescription I'm willing to take long term due reward outweighing risk substantially!
jkhh
09-17-2006, 07:19 PM
I would watch take the Niacin in the evening (as is instructed). When I woke up in the middle of the night with the flushing, my doctor switched me to the evening meal which helped at first but the flushing always seemed to return. Also, try taking it with yogurt (or another low fat snack). Good luck.
HubbleRules
09-17-2006, 07:19 PM
Gee, I hate to hear that the flush-free niacin didn't work for you because I just today started taking it. I'll be working up to 1500 mg. daily. Let's hope it works for me. Re: the policosanol, I took 20mg. daily for 6 mos. and my TC went up 4 points. However, the HDL also increased, triglycerides dropped 40 points and the risk rate fell back into the normal range. All in all, I was very disappointed. Others on this board have had greater success with it. I think someone called Hubble has had good results on it.
BamaC,
Don't mean to give you discouraging news, but I've discontinued taking Policosanol.
I thought it had been helping me (I actually lowered my TC 20%) over the past year, but it may have just been the no-flush Niacin (Inositol Hexanicotinate - 750mg/day) that I had also been on at the time. I had heart palpitations over the summer, and discontinued the niacin (palpitations went away), and since then, my latest test showed my total cholesterol ballooned back up to 270...
Well, I've given natural supplements, diet and exercise a good try, and they just weren't working well for me.
I just started back on a statin a week ago (Crestor 5mg), and will keep my fingers crossed that I do not get the muscle problems I had when I was on Lipitor plus Tricor. I'm still taking CoQ10 (Q-Gel, 60mg/day) as a preventive against muscle problems.
Will report when I get my next blood test.
HubbleRules
:cool:
BamaC,
Don't mean to give you discouraging news, but I've discontinued taking Policosanol.
I thought it had been helping me (I actually lowered my TC 20%) over the past year, but it may have just been the no-flush Niacin (Inositol Hexanicotinate - 750mg/day) that I had also been on at the time. I had heart palpitations over the summer, and discontinued the niacin (palpitations went away), and since then, my latest test showed my total cholesterol ballooned back up to 270...
Well, I've given natural supplements, diet and exercise a good try, and they just weren't working well for me.
I just started back on a statin a week ago (Crestor 5mg), and will keep my fingers crossed that I do not get the muscle problems I had when I was on Lipitor plus Tricor. I'm still taking CoQ10 (Q-Gel, 60mg/day) as a preventive against muscle problems.
Will report when I get my next blood test.
HubbleRules
:cool:
jkhh
09-17-2006, 07:58 PM
Hubble. I experienced rapid heartbeat (I thought at least) with the Niaspan. One must always remember that at high doses, Niacin is a drug and not a vitamin! I had great results with Crestor 5mg and had I known about CoQ-10 then I might have not experienced the muscle related symptoms. I hope the Crestor 5mg helps you. I know from personal experience that even at that low dose it is wicked in its effect on bad cholesterol (doesn't help much with good though-at least for me).
Lenin
09-18-2006, 11:13 AM
judge,
It really sounds like you have TRUE or FRANK GOUT. I experienced pain out of the blue for several years that would stike in my ankle or the top of the foot and very predominantly, my THUMB. I suspected gout but wasn't sure.
But THEN, one morning at dawn, I was awakened by the feeling akin to someone removing my big toe with a crowbar.
I suffered for 9 days unable to walk and had to crawl to the bathroom keeping my right foot hight up. I had my doctor call in a prescription for colchicine...I took 2 an hour for 8 hours and the pain disappeared. Colchicine works for nothing else and thus is almost diagnostic.
It was a real classic Henry VIII attack and set a new standard for my perception of pain.
People think of gout as a "big toe" disease but it usually wreaks its worst long term effects on crippling hands and kills by destroying the kidneys with inflammatory razor sharp crystals of uric acid. Life before allopurinol (1963) must have been Hell on Earth for gout sufferers...all they could do was give pain killers while gout slowly killed its victims in a horrible fashion.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++
Good Luck with the Crestor, Hubble!:wave:
It really sounds like you have TRUE or FRANK GOUT. I experienced pain out of the blue for several years that would stike in my ankle or the top of the foot and very predominantly, my THUMB. I suspected gout but wasn't sure.
But THEN, one morning at dawn, I was awakened by the feeling akin to someone removing my big toe with a crowbar.
I suffered for 9 days unable to walk and had to crawl to the bathroom keeping my right foot hight up. I had my doctor call in a prescription for colchicine...I took 2 an hour for 8 hours and the pain disappeared. Colchicine works for nothing else and thus is almost diagnostic.
It was a real classic Henry VIII attack and set a new standard for my perception of pain.
People think of gout as a "big toe" disease but it usually wreaks its worst long term effects on crippling hands and kills by destroying the kidneys with inflammatory razor sharp crystals of uric acid. Life before allopurinol (1963) must have been Hell on Earth for gout sufferers...all they could do was give pain killers while gout slowly killed its victims in a horrible fashion.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++
Good Luck with the Crestor, Hubble!:wave:
BamaC
09-18-2006, 01:01 PM
Judgejkh, O.K. now I'm confused. Did you have flushing while on the flush-free niacin or on the Niaspan? How long were you on the flush-free? And did it not affect the cholesterol at all? Hubble, that is bad news indeed. I am determined to avoid Statins and Zetia as there is some family history of liver problems. However, I am running out of ideas. Pray that this niacin works for me.
jkhh
09-18-2006, 06:02 PM
BamaC,
The flushing was from the Niaspan (not the Flush-free Niacin). I was on the flush-free Niacin for over 90 days and my total and LDL went back to about what they were untreated (total >250, LDL 180). The problem, as I understand it, is that Flush-free is not as strong as regular Niacin, but Niacin comes with the flushing, of course. Niaspan is a pharmaceutical grade of Niacin but still has flushing (at least for some, including me:confused: ). If you're aware of a high quality, Flush-free PLEASE let me know because my doctor felt that the strength of the Flush-free is the problem (ie you can't take enough of it for it to be effective).
The flushing was from the Niaspan (not the Flush-free Niacin). I was on the flush-free Niacin for over 90 days and my total and LDL went back to about what they were untreated (total >250, LDL 180). The problem, as I understand it, is that Flush-free is not as strong as regular Niacin, but Niacin comes with the flushing, of course. Niaspan is a pharmaceutical grade of Niacin but still has flushing (at least for some, including me:confused: ). If you're aware of a high quality, Flush-free PLEASE let me know because my doctor felt that the strength of the Flush-free is the problem (ie you can't take enough of it for it to be effective).
jkhh
09-18-2006, 06:08 PM
Lenin,
I suffered with gout from about age 25 until about age 33 when my family doctor suspected gout and tested my uric acid at 12+. I had taken Cortisone shots, Celebrex, etc. . . but it would never help. I have been on Allopurinol 300 mg (100 for about a year). My only is issue is with high ALT/SGPT. I just got my lab back today and it was at 61 (high range is 36 with my lab). My uric acid was 4.6 (high end normal being 5.6). I believe it's the Allopurinol causing the high ALT it because I was off Crestor for 3 months proceeding labs and my only other prescription was Allegra. Maybe the COQ-10 would help with the liver issues???
I suffered with gout from about age 25 until about age 33 when my family doctor suspected gout and tested my uric acid at 12+. I had taken Cortisone shots, Celebrex, etc. . . but it would never help. I have been on Allopurinol 300 mg (100 for about a year). My only is issue is with high ALT/SGPT. I just got my lab back today and it was at 61 (high range is 36 with my lab). My uric acid was 4.6 (high end normal being 5.6). I believe it's the Allopurinol causing the high ALT it because I was off Crestor for 3 months proceeding labs and my only other prescription was Allegra. Maybe the COQ-10 would help with the liver issues???
Lenin
09-19-2006, 07:44 AM
I have been taking daily allpurinol for over 15 years and have never tested high for any of the Liver enzymes.
My God, with that uric acid of 12+ :eek: you were turning to CRYSTAL. My highest was 9 before I started the allopurinol and now I get under 5 (in spite of diuretics, all of which retain uric acid.)
Do you have any tophi in your fingers or other joints that you can see?
My God, with that uric acid of 12+ :eek: you were turning to CRYSTAL. My highest was 9 before I started the allopurinol and now I get under 5 (in spite of diuretics, all of which retain uric acid.)
Do you have any tophi in your fingers or other joints that you can see?
jkhh
09-19-2006, 08:12 AM
Lenin,
No, I'm not aware of any tophi, however, I had an orthopedic surgeon look at my feet sometime before starting on the allopurinol and he felt my bones were eroding so that helped convince me to start the allopurinol. The biggest factor was my son. He had just started walking, I was having an attack and was across the street at the mailbox. He had gotten out our carport door and was heading towards me to cross the street with a car coming down the street. Literally, I had to hop out into the street to intercept him before he got into the street. So, I figured it was time to start the Allopurinol! My pharmacist says "it's a safe, old drug" and I've stuck with it without an attack since I started taking it. My doctor has never felt the high ALT was due to the allopurinol, however, I just can't figure out what else would be doing. He suspected the Crestor 5 mg, but, I've been off it for 6 months or so and am still testing high (although lower than usual).
Take Care.
No, I'm not aware of any tophi, however, I had an orthopedic surgeon look at my feet sometime before starting on the allopurinol and he felt my bones were eroding so that helped convince me to start the allopurinol. The biggest factor was my son. He had just started walking, I was having an attack and was across the street at the mailbox. He had gotten out our carport door and was heading towards me to cross the street with a car coming down the street. Literally, I had to hop out into the street to intercept him before he got into the street. So, I figured it was time to start the Allopurinol! My pharmacist says "it's a safe, old drug" and I've stuck with it without an attack since I started taking it. My doctor has never felt the high ALT was due to the allopurinol, however, I just can't figure out what else would be doing. He suspected the Crestor 5 mg, but, I've been off it for 6 months or so and am still testing high (although lower than usual).
Take Care.
Mr. Detail
09-20-2006, 03:29 PM
Looks like you folks have gotten off topic.
Regarding policosanol, A larger patient group of 437 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study received either Policosanol or a placebo once a day for twelve weeks. The patients who had been given Policosanol showed a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol, a 17% reduction in total cholesterol, and a 28% increase in HDL cholesterol.
Policosanol produces cholesterol lowering effects within 6-8 weeks of continual use. At a daily dosage of about 15mg taken at night, LDL cholesterol levels typically drop by 20-25% within the first six months of use.
The only known source of policosanol with high enough amounts of this lipid is sugar cane wax. But once again, you have to be careful. Only pure, high-grade sugar cane wax contains the correct lipid profile for optimum results.
The cheap substitutes don’t even come close to meeting this standard. While high-grade sugar cane wax contains more than 60% of this crucial lipid, rice bran wax and beeswax each contain just 17.5%.
Regarding policosanol, A larger patient group of 437 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study received either Policosanol or a placebo once a day for twelve weeks. The patients who had been given Policosanol showed a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol, a 17% reduction in total cholesterol, and a 28% increase in HDL cholesterol.
Policosanol produces cholesterol lowering effects within 6-8 weeks of continual use. At a daily dosage of about 15mg taken at night, LDL cholesterol levels typically drop by 20-25% within the first six months of use.
The only known source of policosanol with high enough amounts of this lipid is sugar cane wax. But once again, you have to be careful. Only pure, high-grade sugar cane wax contains the correct lipid profile for optimum results.
The cheap substitutes don’t even come close to meeting this standard. While high-grade sugar cane wax contains more than 60% of this crucial lipid, rice bran wax and beeswax each contain just 17.5%.
jacal5
09-21-2006, 08:17 AM
I take 10 mg. Policosanol, and a plant sterol pill before lunch and do the same before dinner. The sterols block the cholesterol from any foods you are eating at the meal.
My total cholesterol before I started this protocol was 300 and the cardiologist gave me a prescripton for Lipitor. I threw it away and went for a visiit to a company that sells pharmeceutical grade vitamins and supplements and has a free nutritionist on staff to recommend which supplements to take, when to take them, and she was also helpful with dietary advice.
After six months I had my total cholesterol checked and it dropped to 172!
I do eat oat bran almost every morning now, either the hot cereal, or cold oat bran cereal with a high fiber content, and I watch my saturated fat intake.
There have been reports that Vitamin E raises cholesterol so I stopped taking it, but there is a small amount in my multi-vitamin.
According to my vitamin company, Policosanol should not contain beeswax otherwise it won't work, maybe those individuals who have not found success with it are buying Policosanol containing beeswax.
Anyway, I am estatic that I don't have to take the statin drugs and hope you find a protocol that works for you, good luck.
My total cholesterol before I started this protocol was 300 and the cardiologist gave me a prescripton for Lipitor. I threw it away and went for a visiit to a company that sells pharmeceutical grade vitamins and supplements and has a free nutritionist on staff to recommend which supplements to take, when to take them, and she was also helpful with dietary advice.
After six months I had my total cholesterol checked and it dropped to 172!
I do eat oat bran almost every morning now, either the hot cereal, or cold oat bran cereal with a high fiber content, and I watch my saturated fat intake.
There have been reports that Vitamin E raises cholesterol so I stopped taking it, but there is a small amount in my multi-vitamin.
According to my vitamin company, Policosanol should not contain beeswax otherwise it won't work, maybe those individuals who have not found success with it are buying Policosanol containing beeswax.
Anyway, I am estatic that I don't have to take the statin drugs and hope you find a protocol that works for you, good luck.
Lenin
09-21-2006, 09:05 AM
Judge,
My lab (Quest Diagnostics) considers a range of 3-60 U/L to be a normal range. I;ve seen other labs top out at 48 or even 32. Most sources agree that signs of liver damage or drug damage ti the liver shows ALT's that are an order of magnitude higher...like 50 times that high. I wouldn't give that ALT of 61 a second thought.
When you are next at your doctor's office ask for a bottle of colchicine to keep at the back of your medicine chest. If you feel ANY foot pain in the morning, 2 tiny pills will stop an attack before appreciable crystals are laid down into a joint. Even if you NEVER use them, it's worth the $5 investment (super cheap.) I think it may be the oldest drug still in common use...like millennia old.
BTW,
Niacin in therapeutic doses can be expected to raise ALT somewhat.
My lab (Quest Diagnostics) considers a range of 3-60 U/L to be a normal range. I;ve seen other labs top out at 48 or even 32. Most sources agree that signs of liver damage or drug damage ti the liver shows ALT's that are an order of magnitude higher...like 50 times that high. I wouldn't give that ALT of 61 a second thought.
When you are next at your doctor's office ask for a bottle of colchicine to keep at the back of your medicine chest. If you feel ANY foot pain in the morning, 2 tiny pills will stop an attack before appreciable crystals are laid down into a joint. Even if you NEVER use them, it's worth the $5 investment (super cheap.) I think it may be the oldest drug still in common use...like millennia old.
BTW,
Niacin in therapeutic doses can be expected to raise ALT somewhat.
PollyAnn
09-21-2006, 10:46 AM
The only known source of policosanol with high enough amounts of this lipid is sugar cane wax. But once again, you have to be careful. Only pure, high-grade sugar cane wax contains the correct lipid profile for optimum results. The cheap substitutes don’t even come close to meeting this standard. While high-grade sugar cane wax contains more than 60% of this crucial lipid, rice bran wax and beeswax each contain just 17.5%.
According to my vitamin company, Policosanol should not contain beeswax otherwise it won't work, maybe those individuals who have not found success with it are buying Policosanol containing beeswax.
Ok, I have a few questions:
~How does Policosanol made from sugar cane wax effect Diabetic's?
~Mr Detail, how do you tell if a product has 60% of pure, high-grade sugar cane wax?
PollyAnn
According to my vitamin company, Policosanol should not contain beeswax otherwise it won't work, maybe those individuals who have not found success with it are buying Policosanol containing beeswax.
Ok, I have a few questions:
~How does Policosanol made from sugar cane wax effect Diabetic's?
~Mr Detail, how do you tell if a product has 60% of pure, high-grade sugar cane wax?
PollyAnn
Mr. Detail
09-21-2006, 11:31 AM
PollyAnn this one's for you:
Diabetes and hypercholesterolemia are major coronary risk factors, coronary risk of diabetics being increased as compared with non-diabetics. The main goal of dyslipidemia control in diabetics is to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane wax, which significantly reduces LDL-C levels and inhibits platelet aggregation. Previous short-term studies have shown the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol at 10 mg/day on patients with Type 2 diabetes, but no previous study on the effects of long-term treatment or lower doses has been reported. This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol on patients with Type 2 diabetes. After 5 weeks on a step one cholesterol lowering diet, 239 patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomized to policosanol 5 mg/day or placebo for 2 years. Analysis was by Intention-to-treat. Baseline characteristics were well matched in both groups. After one year, policosanol reduced significantly (p < 0.0001 versus baseline and placebo) low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (21.1 %), total cholesterol (TC) (17.5 %) and triglycerides (TG) (16.0 %), whereas increased (p <0.01 versus baseline and placebo) high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (10.7 %). Treatment effects on LDL-C, HDL-C and TC persisted, even moderately enhanced, during the study, the effect on TG being persistent too Thus, at study completion, policosanol lowered (p < 0.0001 vs baseline and placebo) LDL-C (29.5 %), TC (21.9 %), TG (16.9 %) and raised (p < 0.0001 vs baseline and placebo) HDL-C (12.4 %). No significant changes on lipid profile variables of placebo group occurred during the study. Of 239 randomized patients, 63 (26.4 %) discontinued the study, 43/120 placebo (35.8 %) and 20/119 policosanol patients (16.8 %). Of them, 35 patients (28 placebo, 7 policosanol) withdrew from the study due to some AE. The frequency of serious adverse events (SAE), most vascular, in policosanol patients (6/119, 5.0 %) was lower than in respective placebo (26/120, 43.3 %). Five patients, all placebo, died during the study, four of them due to myocardial infarction. No drug-related impairment of safety indicators, particularly on glycemic control, was observed. Nevertheless, a reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in policosanol patients compared with placebo. The overall frequency of policosanol patients reporting mild and/or moderate was similar than in placebo. It is concluded that policosanol was long-term effective, safe and well tolerated on patients with dyslipidemia due to Type 2 diabetes. Sounds good to me!
~Jacal5, can you please tell me the manufacturer of your plant sterol pill and where you usually buy them? Thanks.
Diabetes and hypercholesterolemia are major coronary risk factors, coronary risk of diabetics being increased as compared with non-diabetics. The main goal of dyslipidemia control in diabetics is to lower elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane wax, which significantly reduces LDL-C levels and inhibits platelet aggregation. Previous short-term studies have shown the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol at 10 mg/day on patients with Type 2 diabetes, but no previous study on the effects of long-term treatment or lower doses has been reported. This study was undertaken to investigate the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol on patients with Type 2 diabetes. After 5 weeks on a step one cholesterol lowering diet, 239 patients with Type 2 diabetes were randomized to policosanol 5 mg/day or placebo for 2 years. Analysis was by Intention-to-treat. Baseline characteristics were well matched in both groups. After one year, policosanol reduced significantly (p < 0.0001 versus baseline and placebo) low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (21.1 %), total cholesterol (TC) (17.5 %) and triglycerides (TG) (16.0 %), whereas increased (p <0.01 versus baseline and placebo) high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (10.7 %). Treatment effects on LDL-C, HDL-C and TC persisted, even moderately enhanced, during the study, the effect on TG being persistent too Thus, at study completion, policosanol lowered (p < 0.0001 vs baseline and placebo) LDL-C (29.5 %), TC (21.9 %), TG (16.9 %) and raised (p < 0.0001 vs baseline and placebo) HDL-C (12.4 %). No significant changes on lipid profile variables of placebo group occurred during the study. Of 239 randomized patients, 63 (26.4 %) discontinued the study, 43/120 placebo (35.8 %) and 20/119 policosanol patients (16.8 %). Of them, 35 patients (28 placebo, 7 policosanol) withdrew from the study due to some AE. The frequency of serious adverse events (SAE), most vascular, in policosanol patients (6/119, 5.0 %) was lower than in respective placebo (26/120, 43.3 %). Five patients, all placebo, died during the study, four of them due to myocardial infarction. No drug-related impairment of safety indicators, particularly on glycemic control, was observed. Nevertheless, a reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in policosanol patients compared with placebo. The overall frequency of policosanol patients reporting mild and/or moderate was similar than in placebo. It is concluded that policosanol was long-term effective, safe and well tolerated on patients with dyslipidemia due to Type 2 diabetes. Sounds good to me!
~Jacal5, can you please tell me the manufacturer of your plant sterol pill and where you usually buy them? Thanks.
HubbleRules
09-21-2006, 12:13 PM
All,
I used Policosanol-10 from RxVitamins for about 8 months... It is made from pure sugar cane wax. In fact, it was the brand that Dr. Hoffman was promoting in his radio show.
Like I said on a prior post - it did not work well for me. I thought initially it was working, but I think the LDL reduction I experienced was from Niacin, not Policosanol (I tested both at the same time).
The recent tests out of Germany that found no significant reduction in LDL (published in JAMA) is what sealed the deal for me. Most of the other prior tests that reported positive results were from one particular research lab in Cuba.
I hope someone can benefit from Policosanol treatment, but based on my 8 month trial with it, it was not effective at all.
HubbleRules
:cool:
I used Policosanol-10 from RxVitamins for about 8 months... It is made from pure sugar cane wax. In fact, it was the brand that Dr. Hoffman was promoting in his radio show.
Like I said on a prior post - it did not work well for me. I thought initially it was working, but I think the LDL reduction I experienced was from Niacin, not Policosanol (I tested both at the same time).
The recent tests out of Germany that found no significant reduction in LDL (published in JAMA) is what sealed the deal for me. Most of the other prior tests that reported positive results were from one particular research lab in Cuba.
I hope someone can benefit from Policosanol treatment, but based on my 8 month trial with it, it was not effective at all.
HubbleRules
:cool:
Mr. Detail
09-21-2006, 12:14 PM
Polly Ann, as far as finding a good quality policosanol derived from sugar cane wax, try Vita Life Nutritionals. I just researched this and it seems to be a quality product.
I am just a regular Joe like anyone else trying to beat Big Pharma and help myself live a little longer.
I am just a regular Joe like anyone else trying to beat Big Pharma and help myself live a little longer.
jacal5
09-21-2006, 03:41 PM
~Jacal5, can you please tell me the manufacturer of your plant sterol pill and where you usually buy them? Thanks.
Reply With Quote
I buy both the Policosanol and Sterols from Invite Health Inc. based in New York City. I don't want to get banned for posting where I buy them, so you will need to do your own research on the company. As a matter of fact, I wrote a testimonial to their company regarding my great success with their products, and their sceintific director, Jerry Hickey, R.Ph. read it on his radio show last Saturday. I heard it as I was driving into New York City, stuck in traffic on the FDR drive, near the United Nations building. It was a pleasant surprise, since I wrote the testimonial last year!
He also read a testimonial from a customor who had stubborn cholesterol, and couldn't take the statin drugs because she had breast cancer and took tamoxifen which affected her liver. She said 20 mgs. of Policonsanol didn't work for her, so she took 30 mgs. and it did the trick, her cholesterol went down.
I don't know if it has been mentioned on these boards, but the nutritionist told me that 20 mgs. of Policosonal thins the blood as much as a baby aspirin, so anyone who is taking blood thinners such as Warafin, Coumadin, etc. should get medical advice from their doctor if they are thinking about trying it, but I think they can be taken together. I don't take a baby aspirin since Policosonal is doing the same job, without the stomach irritation, which is another benefit for me.
Thanks for posting all the great information regarding Policosanol, and yes, I read that Policosonal is beneficial for diabetics, to answer another poster's question.
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I buy both the Policosanol and Sterols from Invite Health Inc. based in New York City. I don't want to get banned for posting where I buy them, so you will need to do your own research on the company. As a matter of fact, I wrote a testimonial to their company regarding my great success with their products, and their sceintific director, Jerry Hickey, R.Ph. read it on his radio show last Saturday. I heard it as I was driving into New York City, stuck in traffic on the FDR drive, near the United Nations building. It was a pleasant surprise, since I wrote the testimonial last year!
He also read a testimonial from a customor who had stubborn cholesterol, and couldn't take the statin drugs because she had breast cancer and took tamoxifen which affected her liver. She said 20 mgs. of Policonsanol didn't work for her, so she took 30 mgs. and it did the trick, her cholesterol went down.
I don't know if it has been mentioned on these boards, but the nutritionist told me that 20 mgs. of Policosonal thins the blood as much as a baby aspirin, so anyone who is taking blood thinners such as Warafin, Coumadin, etc. should get medical advice from their doctor if they are thinking about trying it, but I think they can be taken together. I don't take a baby aspirin since Policosonal is doing the same job, without the stomach irritation, which is another benefit for me.
Thanks for posting all the great information regarding Policosanol, and yes, I read that Policosonal is beneficial for diabetics, to answer another poster's question.
jkhh
09-21-2006, 04:03 PM
Thanks Lenin. I am sorry to the others that we got off track but it is fantastic to find a fellow gout sufferer especially one with so much knowlege. I was at my Doctor today and he is wanting me to try Zetia before going back to a statin because of the elevated ALT levels. I hear what you say about the level, and it has never gotten over 90 (seems to have settled back in the 50's and low 60's). My doctor wants to refer me to a Gastro- due to the persistence of the elevation, however, my doctor is retiring at the end of the month and I'm thinking of switching to an Internist as my family doctor. That way, he or she could keep up with my cholesterol, liver, gout . . . :).
Iajc_2006
09-27-2006, 01:18 AM
I'm glad I found this topic! I am a 47-year old female who has been battling a problem with low HDL levels for as long as I can remember. My total cholesterol is good: 179. My LDL level in the past year has ranged from 43-108 (current number). There is no rhyme or reason for the changes in my LDL levels. However, my HDL level stays consistently low - 43 or below. My most recent level tested at 32! This is a five point DECREASE since I started exercising! I joined our local wellness center almost six months ago and have been exercising quite a bit - 4-5 hours a week, mostly cycling and some water aerobics. I wear a heart rate monitor to keep track of my progress. In the past, I have lost weight, changed my diet, exercised...everything doctors recommend, and I have never been able to get my HDL level where it should be. This scares me.
I saw an herbalist last week, and she recommended a supplement containing 10 mg. of Policosanol and 490 mg. of gugulipid. I take one in the morning, and one at night. I am also taking milk thistle to help promote liver health.
I don't know of anyone else who has tried this supplement, let alone someone who has tried it and had success. It appears that at least one person here has NOT had success with Policosonal. My doctor doesn't think I need to consult a cardiologist yet, but I'm afraid if I don't do something that brings quick results, I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke.
I saw an herbalist last week, and she recommended a supplement containing 10 mg. of Policosanol and 490 mg. of gugulipid. I take one in the morning, and one at night. I am also taking milk thistle to help promote liver health.
I don't know of anyone else who has tried this supplement, let alone someone who has tried it and had success. It appears that at least one person here has NOT had success with Policosonal. My doctor doesn't think I need to consult a cardiologist yet, but I'm afraid if I don't do something that brings quick results, I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke.
Lenin
09-27-2006, 10:32 AM
Iajc,
Since your only issue seems to be HDL, if I were you I'd try my hand at niacin. It is very specific for raising HDL and I don't think +10 points would be too much to wish for.
There are many discussions on the whys and hows of niacin supplementation if you read back posts on this forum.
Since your only issue seems to be HDL, if I were you I'd try my hand at niacin. It is very specific for raising HDL and I don't think +10 points would be too much to wish for.
There are many discussions on the whys and hows of niacin supplementation if you read back posts on this forum.
Iajc_2006
09-27-2006, 10:51 AM
Lenin,
I posted under another topic that when I recently went to a natural pharmacy, a nutritionist/herbalist suggested Policosanol/Gugulipid over the no-flush niacin. If this does not work, then I will try the niacin. I'd rather try one at a time so that I know which one is or is not working. My concern is that while I'm attempting to raise my HDL level - and I have been told it could take awhile - I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke. My mother and grandmother both had strokes in their early 50s, but both had uncontrolled blood pressure: mine is controlled.
I will look back over the niacin thread.
I posted under another topic that when I recently went to a natural pharmacy, a nutritionist/herbalist suggested Policosanol/Gugulipid over the no-flush niacin. If this does not work, then I will try the niacin. I'd rather try one at a time so that I know which one is or is not working. My concern is that while I'm attempting to raise my HDL level - and I have been told it could take awhile - I'm going to have a heart attack or stroke. My mother and grandmother both had strokes in their early 50s, but both had uncontrolled blood pressure: mine is controlled.
I will look back over the niacin thread.