Policosanol is a nutritional supplement originated in Cuba that is made out of yams, beeswax and a mixture of fatty alcohols derived from sugar cane. With octanosol as its major ingredient, Policosanol has thought to be effective to lower cholesterol just like statin drugs but without the side effects.

In the same way that statin drugs inhibit the metabolism of fat and cholesterol in the liver, it appears that the alcohol that policosanol is also made of, serve the same purpose as they are aimed at slowing the production of cholesterol in the liver but focus at other routs of metabolism tat those that statin drugs act upon.

Several experiments both on animals and humans with policosanol have shown the effectiveness of the supplement on lowering cholesterol as it reduces the LDL (low density lipoprotein) to a level matched by statin drugs and also has the ability to increase the High Density Lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol by as much as 10 - 25%, an effect that cannot be emulated by statin drugs.

Policosanol works by lowering the level of blood elements in platelets, the elements that create the sticky consistency of platelets that are mainly responsible for clotting. That is why patients who take prescription medications for the purpose of blood thinning (blood thinners such as Coumadin), should consult their doctor prior to the use of Policosanol.

Policosanol unlike its statin drug counterparts has not been associated with serious side effects beside mild reactions such as gastrointestinal problems, skin rash, headache, and sleeping disturbances.

Clinical studies using placebo that were aimed at measuring the effectiveness of Policosanol in lowering cholesterol, in which 437 high cholesterol sufferers had participated, have found impressive results in reducing cholesterol in as little as 12 weeks from the first intake of Policosanol. LDL has been lowered by 25% and overall cholesterol by 17% among the group that was given Policosanol.

Policosanol also seemed to help with the reduction of cells that build up within the arteries, thus lowering the risk of having atherosclerosis, a dangerous condition in which cholesterol accumulates into artery walls and clogs the arteries, a condition which can lead to heart disease and strokes.

Contrary to the above impressive results, a new study conducted in May 17, 2006, using Policosanol in a placebo-controlled trial, in which 143 patients had participated and given 80 mg/day for a period of 12 weeks, has showed no evidence for lowering LDL cholesterol among the group or of any reduction in lipids.