Sugar Cane Extract As An Alternative To Statins

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Here’s an excerpt from an e-mail from one of our regular readers, Rob, who’s experienced this tug of war first-hand:

‘ I had a heart attack over 2 years ago, followed by ulcerative colitis and fibromyalgia [FM]. The FM was probably caused by the doubling of Simvastatin to 40mg the previous year, and subsequent attempts to reduce cholesterol using Atorvastain 10mg for two weeks resulted in muscle pain for over 3 months. I have since been prescribed Pravastatin by my Cardiologist, but am very reluctant to take it because of the severe pain these statins seem to cause. .. My GP has agreed that since thus far my reactions to prescribed medication have proven to be (to say the least) unsuccessful, she had no objections to me trying alternative solutions, like red yeast rice... So in seeking another solution, I have found that an extract from sugar cane may help me.

What do you know about it?’

As always we like to be at the frontline of investigating reliable and proven natural alternatives to any prescription drugs. So, Rob this alert is for you and everyone else out there who’s experiencing the same problem.

Sweet secret for effectively lowering cholesterol

Clinical trials have shown that a fraction of sugar cane called policosanol offers even better results than prescription drugs at lowering overall cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It also assists in raising levels of HDL (good) cholesterol and protecting against blood clotting. And wait for it: On top of all the benefits, it virtually has no side effects.

By now you know that refined sugar is a big "no-no". There is no doubt that eliminating refined sugar is a crucial step in living a healthy lifestyle.

Policosanol is technically not a sugar at all. It's a group of eight to nine "long chain alcohols" (solid, waxy compounds). It actually contains no sugar and has no extra calories so it doesn't have an adverse effect on blood sugar levels. Research is accumulating to show that policosanol is more effective than the most popular patent medicines for lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. As added bonuses, policosanol helps to prevent strokes by inhibiting platelet aggregation and abnormal blood clotting and may lower blood pressure. And unlike the popular patent medications, policosanol does not seriously interfere with our bodies ability to produce essential co-enzyme Q10 as the patent statin medications do.

Unlike many other supplements, policosanol has demonstrated its abilities in human trials, which compared its performance head to head with top-selling statin drugs.

Looking at the comparative studies below you will see that policosanol rivalled and even outperformed the statins.

Policosanol vs Lovastatin (Movacor or Advicor)

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 53 individuals with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol were asked to follow a lipid-lowering diet for six weeks. The patients were then divided into two groups. One group was given 10mg of policosanol daily, while the other group was given 20mg of Lovastatin daily for 12 weeks. While both groups experienced lowered total cholesterol, the policosanol groups LDL cholesterol dropped 4 per cent lower than the Lovastatin group. The policosanol groups HDL (good) levels also rose nearly 8 per cent, compared to a 3 per cent drop in the Lovastatin group. But the most exciting results occurred in the triglyceride levels. Policosanol caused an 18 per cent drop in triglycerides. Lovastatin offered only a 0.5 per cent drop.

Policosanol vs Simvastatin (Zocor)

In another study, 53 individuals aged 60 to 77 with "primary hypercholesterolemia" (high cholesterol not linked to diabetes or other known metabolic problems) first followed a lipid-lowering diet for six weeks. The patients were then "randomized" to take either 10mg of Simvastatin or 10mg of policosanol daily for eight weeks. Again, both groups experienced overall lowered cholesterol levels. However, triglyceride levels in the policosanol group were 5 per cent lower than those in the Simvastatin group.

Policosanol vs Pravastatin (pravachol)

In this trial, 68 individuals aged 60 to 80 with "type 2 hypercholesterolemia" (a very common type) and "high coronary risk" were first asked to follow a low-fat diet for six weeks. After the six weeks, the participants were divided into two groups, one of which took 10mg of policosanol daily, and the other took 10mg of Pravastatin daily, both for eight weeks. Policosanol offered better results in all areas, lowering LDL levels 4 per cent more than Pravastatin, lowering triglycerides 11 per cent more, and raising (good) HDL levels 18 per cent or 13 per cent more than Pravastatin.

Policosanol Lowers Blood Pressure. Statin Drug Raises It

High blood pressure is another marker of cardiovascular disease and, as such, is subject to monitoring and (too often) prescription drug treatment. Fortunately, the benefits of policosanol extend to this arena as well.

In the Lovastatin study mentioned above, policosanol lowered blood pressure by what the researchers termed "a mild but significant degree." Systolic blood pressure (the "upper" number) dropped by approximately 8 points, and diastolic blood pressure (the "lower" number) dropped by approximately 3 points. Both numbers actually went up with Lovastatin, the systolic by 2 points and the diastolic by approximately 5 points.

In the Simvastatin study, the policosanol group showed statistically significant lowered blood pressure levels (an 8 point drop in systolic and a 4 point drop in diastolic). The Simvastatin group did not show statistically significant results.

Policosanol vs Pravastatin (pravachol) for blood clots

The study on policosanol vs. Pravastatin also examined policosanols effects on platelet aggregation, or clotting. The researchers used four natural substances to induce clotting in the study participants. They then measured policosanol’s effectiveness against each of these substances. Policosanol inhibited clotting by 16.6 per cent, 20.3 per cent, 42.2 per cent, and 69 per cent respectively when exposed to the four substances. In considerable contrast, Pravastatin actually made clotting worse in the first measure. Even Pravastatin best results, measured in the last test, were still 20 per cent lower than those offered by policosanol.

In another comparative trial using healthy volunteers, 20mg of policosanol daily was found to be just as effective as 100mg of aspirin (the daily dose most widely recommended by mainstream doctors to prevent clotting).'

Combining policosanol and cod liver oil is a great alternative to aspirin, not only to prevent clotting and to assist cholesterol regulation but also for cardiovascular health and health in general.

Policosanol does not require a prescription and is widely available in natural health food stores, pharmacies, and various on-line sources in 10 and 15mg capsules. Although other strengths are also available, a single 15mg capsule daily appears to be enough for most uses.

If you are already taking a prescription cholesterol medication, please consult your doctor before making any changes or additions to your health regime.

Related reading:

Policosanol: Cholesterol - To Lower, Or Not To Lower...
Statins: Safe and natural alternatives to cholesterol drugs

‘A Natural Alternative to Statin Drugs’ published online, altmedangel.com

‘Sugar-cane extract may favourably alter lipid level’ published online 28.11.05, redorbit.com

Sugar cane extract helps cholesterol go down’ by Elena Conis, published online 31.10.05, articles.latimes.com