Since heart attack is the disease all of us, men & women alike, are most likely to die from I make no apology for returning to the subject, especially now that a natural substance has been found to play a big role in preventing heart disease by lowering cholesterol.
Heart attack and stroke have long been associated with high levels of the cholesterol known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad" cholesterol) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol). Reversing these lowers the risk for these and most other artery-related diseases.
The new substance, called policosanol, is a natural dietary supplement and derivative of octocosanol made from sugar cane. It can normalise cholesterol as well or better than drugs, cheaply & without the side effects. Policosanol lowers LDL cholesterol as much as 20% and raises protective HDL cholesterol by 10%. This compares favorably with cholesterol-lowering drugs, which have the drawback of some nasty side effects such as liver dysfunction, impotency and muscle atrophy.
What makes policosanol exciting is that it has other actions against heart disease in addition to lowering cholesterol. Like statin drugs, policosanol helps stop the formation of arterial lesions by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL. Oxidised LDL is very dangerous, creating chronic inflammation and the enzymatic activity promoting destruction of the blood vessels. Policosanol has the ability to stop cell overgrowth which can slow or block blood flow in the arteries. It also inhibits the formation of clots & can work synergistically with aspirin to prevent platelet aggregation, where blood cells clump together.
Better than Drugs
Highlights of the clinical trials showed policosanol lowered LDL 20% in 6 to 12 weeks at 10mg per day. Total cholesterol was reduced 15% & HDL increased 7% to 28%. Taking 20mg per day total cholesterol reduced LDL by 28%, total cholesterol by 20% & raised HDL by 7% - 10%. But note, if triglycerides are your problem - they do not respond to policosanol. The 10mg program underwent 2 years of testing and no adverse reactions were reported.
Thus policosanol more than holds its own against statin drugs. In a side-by-side comparison study 10mg of policosanol reduced LDL by 24% compared with 22% for lovastin (Mevacor) at 20mg, and 15% for simvastatin (Zocor) at 10mg.The combination of policosanol and gemfibrozil (Lopid) works better than either by itself. Another study showed that policosanol dramatically enhanced the ability of bezafibrate, a cholesterol & fibrinogen lowering drug, to lower LDL and total cholesterol.
As for side effects, policosanol was found to have good ones rather than bad ones. In a study involving over 3000 people many lost weight, people taking policosanol were hospitalised less often, endurance and oxygen utilisation while exercising was enhanced, and unlike cholesterol-lowering drugs that can induce impotency, policosanol was found to have a libido-enhancing effect.
Not only does it work as well or better than cholesterol-lowering drugs but policosanol is hell of a lot cheaper, about one third the price in fact. A month's supply in the US costing around $40.00 as against Lipitor ($100), Zocor $123), and Pravachol ($132).
It's not just Cholesterol
It is now accepted that cholesterol levels above 200 increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Having a cholesterol reading above 240 may be particularly dangerous. It is also known that maintaining high levels of beneficial HDL is as important as suppressing high LDL readings. However there are some nutritionally-minded doctors who think that LDL is not dangerous so long as it is protected against oxidation by antioxidant supplements such as Vitamin E and CoQ10. Others point out that people suffering heart attacks often have normal cholesterol levels. These are both excellent points and are true, but it does not justify health-conscious people ignoring high cholesterol levels. Why run the risk?
We also know that LDL-cholesterol is only one of several known artery-disease factors in the blood. High levels of homocysteine, fibrinigen, triglycerides and C-reactive protein are all independent risk factors for getting a heart attack or a stroke. High levels of any of these in your blood can cause a stroke or heart attack, even if your cholesterol level is low.
When we become old, even if we have successfully taken antioxidants to prevent LDL oxidation and other chronic disease, there does come a time - usually in the 70's & 80's, when atherosclerosis accelerates and even the smallest elevation in cholesterol can be lethal.
One reason that LDL becomes dangerous as we age is that it is more susceptible to oxidation when there is a deficiency of the hormone DHEA, whose levels drop progressively from our 20's onward. Studies show that DHEA is part of an integral shield against LDL oxidation and that major antioxidants such as Vitamin E do not fully protect against oxidation unless adequate levels of DHEA are present.
Based on all the published literature the ideal cholesterol level to maintain is between 180 to 200 (mg p/deciliter of blood). Cholesterol levels above 200 increase the risk for heart attacks and strokes substantially.
Beware Strokes! - Killer No.3
Strokes are the 'dark sister' to heart attack. Heart attack & cancer, respectively the No.1 & 2 killer diseases are openly faced nowadays & prevention publicly discussed. But strokes, the No. 3 killer disease, we don't want to know about. Is it any wonder? There seems so little the wonders of modern medicine can do about those who are struck down. Not many of us don't have a family member or know of someone who's life & circumstances have not been tragically altered by the loss of their faculties. Not surprising then that we push it to the back of our minds. We shouldn't, just like heart attacks, strokes are preventable.
Also, like a heart attack most strokes are caused by the same reason. The blood vessels to the heart or brain become clogged for one reason or another. Less commonly, strokes can be caused when the blood is too thin and vessels in the brain bleed. It is important then, to know that cholesterol levels that are too low can also be lethal. Studies show that cholesterol levels should not drop far below 180 in middle-aged people and that levels below 150 might increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (cerebral hemorrhage). When it comes to stroke, high cholesterol definitely increases the risk of the far more widespread is chemic stroke, but cholesterol that is too low is a factor in causing the less common hemorrhagic stroke. They do say that you will never get a heart attack if your cholesterol is under 150. But who would swap a heart attack for a stroke?
There are then, a number of natural and effective dietary options for lowering cholesterol, as well as prescription drugs, which are both a lot cheaper and without serious side effects. Niacin is one, but many dislike it's flushing effect, and red rice yeast (a natural form of the statin drugs) another. Certain dietary fibers can help to lower cholesterol but many people experience gastro-intestinal discomfort when taking the high amounts of fiber needed to lower cholesterol. And as seen, the addition of DHEA is a cheap and very effective step. Lastly, don't forget to get an annual blood test done giving your lipid profile. It can save your life.
It is then true good news that with policosanol there is now another natural, low-cost means that can effectively lower bad cholesterol while raising the good. Of course it has to be said that while it may not be as easy as taking a pill, half the battle remains as it always has been: a healthy diet and the right kinds of exercise. All washed down with the best & potent multi/antioxidant you can find. But then you probably know all that........
" The ideal cholesterol level is between 180 to 200. Anything above increases risk of heart attack & stroke. They do say that if you are below 150 you will never get a heart attack. But who would swap a heart attack for a stroke........?"
