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Policosanol
Overview
Policosanol is a natural mixture of long-chain alcohols that comes from sugar cane wax or beeswax. It can also be found in wheat or rice.
Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. It also decreases the stickiness of cells in the blood known as platelets.
People use policosanol for leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse policosanol with octacosanol. These are not the same.
Policosanol seems to decrease cholesterol production in the liver and to increase the breakdown of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. It also decreases the stickiness of cells in the blood known as platelets.
People use policosanol for leg pain during exercise due to poor blood flow. It is also used for high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse policosanol with octacosanol. These are not the same.
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