Policosanol Benefits for Cholesterol Levels

Sugar Cane Derivative Impacts LDL and HDL

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Policosanol is a dietary supplement that some people take to lower cholesterol. The compound is mainly derived from sugar cane but can also be obtained from beeswax, cereal grains, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

This article describes the potential health benefits of policosanol, including how it is taken and what possible side effects may occur. It also takes an evidence-based look at the research on policosanol and whether it supports the claims that it can help lower cholesterol.

Cut down sugar cane stalks
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Also Known As

  • Octacosanol
  • 1-Octacosanol
  • N-Octacosanol
  • Octacosyl Alcohol

Health Benefits of Policosanol

Policosanol has been touted as a dietary supplement that can help lower cholesterol. Policosanol is claimed to offer numerous health benefits, including:

How policosanol does so remains a bit unclear. Some contend that it directly blocks the formation of cholesterol in the liver in the same way as statin drugs commonly prescribed to treat hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), though some studies find no such benefit.

Both human and animal studies suggest that policosanol interferes with an enzyme called 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme reductase (HMG-CoA). It is an enzyme essential to the production of cholesterol and is the same one that's targeted by statin drugs.

Policosanol also may have reduced effects on key liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) when compared with these drugs.

A promising 2018 review of studies published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research concluded that based on 22 studies involving 1,886 participants, policosanol from sugar cane can improve LDL and HDL levels. Even so, the researchers found inconsistency in the findings and advised that additional human trials are needed.

Limitations to Research Findings

Among concerns about research findings is that many studies come from Cuba’s National Center for Scientific Research, a group involved with the policosanol patent. A 2018 review noted that the results from the Cuba-based studies differed from those of other research groups, raising concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

Possible Side Effects

Most studies suggest that policosanol derived from sugar cane is well tolerated with minimal side effects. The most common include:

  • Indigestion
  • Skin rash
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Weight loss

Policosanol may have anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties. As such, it should be used with caution if you are taking a blood thinner like aspirin, warfarin, or heparin, or ahead of a surgery.

However, a study of the commonly prescribed warfarin and its interactions with herbal products found that policosanol did not interfere with warfarin effects. Other interactions can include:

Policosanol may also increase the action of levodopa, a medication used for Parkinson's disease. This leads to side effects called dyskinesias, a group of movement control disorders.

Who Should Not Take Policosanol?

Due to the lack of safety research, policosanol should not be used in children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or those with medical conditions including severe liver and kidney disease. Speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement use.

Dosage and Preparation

Policosanol is typically sold in capsule or tablet form at drugstores, nutritional supplement stores, health food shops, and online.

There is no standard recommended dose of policosanol. Many manufacturers recommend taking 10 milligrams (mg) once daily. Studies have reported that doses of up to 10 mg twice daily are safe.

What to Look For

Most of the studies examining the benefits of the supplement used policosanol derived from sugar cane. Because there is far less research on the effectiveness and safety of other forms of policosanol, check the product label to ensure the supplement is derived from sugar cane.

Dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF.

However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn’t mean they are necessarily safe for all or effective in general. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and to check in about any potential interactions with other supplements or medications.

Summary

Policosanol is a supplement mainly derived from sugar cane. It is thought to lower cholesterol and have other health benefits as well. Although some studies support the claims, the findings are not consistent. Further quality research is needed.

If you're considering using it, talk with your healthcare provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  4. Gholamrezayi A, Amini MR, Rasaei N, Akhgarjand C, Kalantar Z, Askari G, et al. What is the influence of policosanol supplementation on liver enzymes? A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Med. 2024 Mar;80:103018. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103018. 

  5. Gong J, Qin X, Yuan F, et al. Efficacy and safety of sugarcane policosanol on dyslipidemia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018;62(1) doi:10.1002/mnfr.201700280

  6. Kim JY, Kim SM, Kim SJ, Lee EY, Kim JR, Cho KH. Consumption of policosanol enhances HDL functionality via CETP inhibition and reduces blood pressure and visceral fat in young and middle-aged subjectsInt J Mol Med. 2017;39(4):889-899. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2907

  7. Tan CSS, Lee SWH. Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Feb;87(2):352-374. doi:10.1111/bcp.14404. 

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Cathy Wong

By Cathy Wong
Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.