Re: OT: Triglycerides

[Guest guest]

Hi Kay, I don't know much about natural ways, but I do know genetics

play a part. My brothers triglycerides were over 800!! The Dr. put

him on medication, but he got sick from it. He's really watching his

diet. He's lost a ton of weight.

> I have an OT question. I am 36 years old, and received the results

of some blood tests back today. My triglycerides were 213 (normal is

10-150). My cholesterol is 172 (160-240 is normal). I'm wondering

about some natural ways to lower my triglycerides. I don't eat alot

of fatty foods. I'm kind of bummed out about this. I eat a fair

amount of fruits and veggies...

>

> Thanks!

>

> Kay

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm glad mine isn't that high! (Yet!) : ) My blood pressure has always been

low, I don't consider myself to be overweight (5' 7, about 145 pounds). I was

just very surprised that it came back that way! I know my Mom has fought high

cholesterol, and her diet is very low in saturated fat. I guess it's the

wonderful genetic stuff kicking in for us, too!

Thanks !

Kay

Hi Kay, I don't know much about natural ways, but I do know genetics

play a part. My brothers triglycerides were over 800!! The Dr. put

him on medication, but he got sick from it. He's really watching his

diet. He's lost a ton of weight.

[Guest guest]

Kay,

I've heard good things about Omega 3 lowering triglycerides. I recently

sent something to my sister - I'll ask her if she still has it.

----Original Message Follows----

From: " mkphilpot " <mkphilpot@...>

Reply-Vaccinations

<Vaccinations >

Subject: OT: Triglycerides

Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2002 16:58:14 -0400

I have an OT question. I am 36 years old, and received the results of some

blood tests back today. My triglycerides were 213 (normal is 10-150). My

cholesterol is 172 (160-240 is normal). I'm wondering about some natural

ways to lower my triglycerides. I don't eat alot of fatty foods. I'm kind

of bummed out about this. I eat a fair amount of fruits and veggies...

Thanks!

Kay

[Guest guest]

Thanks , I'd be very interested to know.

Kay

> Kay,

> I've heard good things about Omega 3 lowering triglycerides. I recently

> sent something to my sister - I'll ask her if she still has it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

è I'm wondering about some natural ways to lower my

è triglycerides. 

http://www.rxvitamins.com/people/POLICOSANOLtech.asp

POLICOSANOL 10

SELECTIVELY PURIFIED FROM SUGAR CANE WAX

Cholesterol is a fat that is widely distributed in all cells of the body, but

found predominantly in the brain and nervous system. It is the precursor for

sex hormones, adrenal hormones, bile acids, vitamin D and cardiac glycosides.

Cholesterol can be synthesized in many tissues in the body and ultimately

eliminated in the bile as bile salts or cholesterol. The biosynthesis of

cholesterol may be separated into five steps involving numerous enzymes. Step

1, acetyl-CoA forms HMG-CoA and Mevalonate. Step 2, mevalonate forms active

Isoprenoid Units. Step 3, six Isoprenoid Units form Squalene. Step 4,

Squalene is converted to Lanosterol. Step 5, Lanosterol is converted to

Cholesterol. Cholesterol is made up of various lipoprotein fractions,

low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and

high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It is understood that elevated LDL and VLDL,

and low HDL levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. (1)

The importance of cholesterol is well established in human health, but as

mentioned, excessive levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease

(2). The most common medical approach for cholesterol reduction is the use of

statin drugs. The method of action for these drugs is to inhibit HMG-CoA

reductase (3-5). HMG-CoA reductase is the enzyme responsible for the

conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate, an early step in cholesterol

biosynthesis. Unfortunately for many patients, statin drugs have been

documented to have potential side effects such as fatigue, muscle weakness

and liver dysfunction (3, 6). The symptoms of muscle weakness and fatigue may

be related to a depletion of Coenzyme Q 10, which has been linked to statin

drug use (7-10). CoQ10 plays a vital role as an electron carrier in the

mitochondrial synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and energy

production. ATP is the primary energy source for heart and skeletal muscle

(1). Because of these potential drug side effects, people are seeking out

alternative, natural approaches to health care (11, 12).Policosanol is a

prime example of an effective phytochemical, or plant based alternative.

Policosanol is a mixture of essential alcohols isolated from sugar cane wax

(13). The main constituents are octacosanol, eicosanol, tetracosanol,

hexacosanol and triacontanol. There is a significant body of evidence

demonstrating the benefits of policosanol with respect to cardiovascular

disease. However, the exact method of action is still unknown. In the mid to

late nineties, one research group proposed that policosanol was able to

reduce endothelial damage by inhibiting the production of foam cells (14,

15). Foam cells are macrophages that can migrate into the endothelium of the

blood vessels and contribute to atherosclerotic plaque formation (2). Other

researchers believe policosanol has a modulating effect on HMG-CoA reductase,

the rate-controlling enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, but the precise

mechanism remains unclear (16-18). Still, other investigators believe

policosanol may inhibit cholesterol synthesis in the liver at a step before

mevalonate production, but total inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase is

doubtful (13). More recent work suggests policosanol inhibits LDL cholesterol

oxidation (19, 20). This was revealed when markers of peroxidation, such as

thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and malondialdehyde (MDA)

were lower in the cultures treated with policosanol. Oxidation of LDL

cholesterol has been linked to heart disease (2). Bi-products of LDL

oxidation are bioactive, and secrete inflammatory cytokines, growth factors

and cell surface adhesion molecules. In response to these oxidative

bi-products, smooth muscle cells proliferate in the wall of the artery,

resulting in the narrowing of the lumen and eventual blockage. Oxidized LDL

cholesterol can also inhibit the production of prostacyclin and nitric oxide,

which act as vasodilators and inhibitors of platelet aggregation.

Policosanol and Cholesterol

First and foremost, policosanol has shown the ability to reduce cholesterol

levels. In 1994 a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was

conducted on 22 patients with hypercholesterolemia. After eight weeks the

patients taking policosanol had a marked reduction in total cholesterol and

LDL cholesterol (21). A similar double-blind, placebo-controlled study was

performed on 69 patients, with comparable results. The group of patients

taking 10mg of policosanol daily for two years had an 18% reduction in total

cholesterol and a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol (22). Notably, after 12

months, the so-called good HDL cholesterol was elevated by 21%. A follow up

study was performed on a larger patient group. 437 patients were randomized

to receive, under double-blind conditions, policosanol or placebo once a day.

After twelve weeks, patients receiving policosanol had a 25% reduction in LDL

cholesterol, a 17% reduction in total cholesterol, and a 28% increase in HDL

cholesterol (23). The placebo group did not achieve any benefits. Policosanol

seems to be effective at lowering cholesterol on both men and women, and all

age groups. A study on 179 older aged people resulted in a reduction in total

cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by 13% and 16% respectively (24). Also on a

positive note there was a 14% increase in HDL cholesterol and a 28% reduction

in the total cholesterol to HDL ratio.

Policosanol and Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

There have been numerous studies comparing the effects of policosanol to

cholesterol lowering drugs. In one study a group of patients were randomized

to receive under double-blind conditions, either policosanol or pravastatin.

The results were impressive, with the policosanol group seeing a 19.3%

reduction in LDL cholesterol and a 13.9% reduction in total cholesterol. The

group taking pravastatin had a 15.6% reduction in LDL cholesterol and an

11.8% reduction in total cholesterol (25). The patients taking policosanol

noticed an increase in HDL cholesterol, while the patients taking pravastatin

did not. The policosanol group did not experience any side-effects, whereas

several people taking pravastatin had elevation of liver function enzymes.

Several other studies have demonstrated similar results when comparing

policosanol to statin drugs (26-28).

Cardiovascular Disease and Policosanol

More than just elevated cholesterol levels can cause cardiovascular disease.

Platelet aggregation and intermittent claudication are conditions associated

with cardiovascular disease. Intermittent claudication is caused by

inadequate blood supply attributable to atherosclerosis or hardening of the

arteries (29). Usually the first symptoms are severe pains in the calf

muscle. Intermittent claudication and atherosclerosis can be caused by

platelet aggregation. Platelets are small discs in the blood responsible for

blood coagulation and thrombus formation. This process is important to stop

the loss of blood after surgery or an injury. However, excessive platelet

aggregation caused by vascular injury or excessive stress can lead to

atherosclerotic plaque formation. Which, in turn can lead to cardiovascular

disease. Researchers have discovered the benefits of Policosanol in patients

experiencing intermittent claudication and platelet aggregation. Early animal

studies demonstrated that policosanol reduced platelet aggregation by

inhibiting the inflammatory mediator thromboxane B2 (30, 31). More recent

human studies revealed the same positive effects. Randomized, double-blind,

placebo-controlled trials investigating the effects of policosanol on

platelet aggregation found that patients receiving policosanol had

significantly less platelet aggregation than did the placebo group (32-34).

The method of action for reducing platelet aggregation was the ability of

policosanol to inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators arachidonic

acid, thromboxane B2 and prostacyclin. By reducing platelet aggregation there

was a noticeable decline in intermittent claudication. A six week study

demonstrated that patients with moderately severe intermittent claudication

had a considerable improvement after supplementing with policosanol (35, 36).

These patients reported less lower leg pain, and were able to increase their

walking distance. It was noted that Policosanol did not affect the

coagulation time when administered at single or repeated doses. That is to

say, policosanol did not change the bleeding time similar to that of the

blood thinning drug warfarin. Also, the addition of policosanol to warfarin

therapy did not add to the bleeding time induced by warfarin alone (37). In

addition to the results with heart disease patients, animal studies revealed

that Policosanol protected against cerebral ischemia, suggesting a possible

therapeutic effect in cerebral vascular disorders (30, 38). In the animals

treated with policosanol, swelling and necrosis of neurons were significantly

reduced in all areas of the brain.

Postmenopausal Women and Heart Disease

Female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, appear to provide a protective

effect against cardiovascular disease. As women go through menopause, when

hormone levels drop, there is often an elevation of cholesterol and increased

risk of cardiovascular disease (2, 39). A large randomized, double-blind,

placebo-controlled study, with 224 postmenopausal women having elevated

cholesterol was conducted to investigate the efficacy of policosanol. After

eighteen weeks, the group receiving policosanol experienced a 17% reduction

in total cholesterol, a 25% reduction in LDL cholesterol, and a significant

29% rise in HDL cholesterol (40). Four serious cardiac events occurred in the

placebo group compared to none in the policosanol group.

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Type II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) predisposes

patients to elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (2, 41).

Fifty-three diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia were enrolled in a

randomized, double-blind study of policosanol.

After 12 weeks, total cholesterol was lowered 14%, LDL cholesterol by 20% and

HDL cholesterol increased by 7.5% in the group receiving policosanol (27).

Several other studies had similar positive results with type II diabetic

patients (41, 42). It was noted that blood sugar levels were not affected by

policosanol supplementation.

Safety and Efficacy

Policosanol has been found in several sources, but all of the studies, to

date, have been done using material from sugar cane. Most studies have shown

a positive effect at doses ranging from 5mg to 20mg daily. When evaluating

policosanol for toxicity, animals were given as much as 500mg per Kg of body

weight. This is over 600 times the recommended therapeutic dose. Even at

these extremely high doses, there were no reports of toxicity or

carcinogenicity (43-46). In human studies, patients receiving 20mg - 40mg of

policosanol daily for two years had good tolerability and did not experience

any adverse affects (22, 27, 47)In conclusion, policosanol is an excellent

natural product that can have positive effects on cholesterol levels and

overall cardiovascular health.

References:

1. Murray DG, Mayes, Victor Rodwell. Harper's Biochemistry. 25

ed. Stamford , Connecticut: Appleton & Lange; 2000.

2. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis & Therapy. 17th ed. Whitehouse Station NJ:

Merck Research Laboratories; 1999.

3. Physicians' Desk Reference. 50 ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics

Company; 2002.

4. Carpentier Y, Ducobu J, Sternon J. [Atorvastatin (Lipitor)]. Rev Med Brux

1999;20(5):427-33.

5. De Pinieux G, Chariot P, Ammi-Said M, Louarn F, Lejonc JL, Astier A, et

al. Lipid-lowering drugs and mitochondrial function: effects of HMG-CoA

reductase inhibitors on serum ubiquinone and blood lactate/pyruvate ratio. Br

J Clin Pharmacol 1996;42(3):333-7.

6. Sirtori CR. Tissue selectivity of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG

CoA) reductase inhibitors. Pharmacol Ther 1993;60(3):431-59.

7. Watts GF, Castelluccio C, Rice- C, Taub NA, Baum H, Quinn PJ. Plasma

coenzyme Q (ubiquinone) concentrations in patients treated with simvastatin.

J Clin Pathol 1993;46(11):1055-7.

8. Folkers K, Langsjoen P, Willis R, P, Xia LJ, Ye CQ, et al.

Lovastatin decreases coenzyme Q levels in humans. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

1990;87(22):8931-4.

9. Bargossi AM, Grossi G, Fiorella PL, Gaddi A, Di Giulio R, Battino M.

Exogenous CoQ10 supplementation prevents plasma ubiquinone reduction induced

by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Mol Aspects Med 1994;15(Suppl):s187-93.

10. Bargossi AM, Battino M, Gaddi A, Fiorella PL, Grossi G, Barozzi G, et al.

Exogenous CoQ10 preserves plasma ubiquinone levels in patients treated with

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. Int J Clin Lab

Res 1994;24(3):171-6.

11. Astin JA. Why patients use alternative medicine: results of a national

study [see comments]. Jama 1998;279(19):1548-53.

12. Eisenberg DM, Kessler RC, C, Norlock FE, Calkins DR, Delbanco TL.

Unconventional medicine in the United States. Prevalence, costs, and patterns

of use [see comments]. N Engl J Med 1993;328(4):246-52.

13. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and

therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J

2002;143(2):356-65.

14. Noa M, de la MC, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on foam-cell formation

in carrageenan-induced granulomas in rats. J Pharm Pharmacol 1996;48(3):306-9.

15. Noa M, Mas R, Mesa R. Effect of policosanol on circulating endothelial

cells in experimental models in Sprague-Dawley rats and in rabbits. J Pharm

Pharmacol 1997;49(10):999-1002.

16. Menendez R, Fernandez SI, Del Rio A, RM, Fraga V, Amor AM, et

al. Policosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density

lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res

1994;27(3-4):199-203.

17. Menendez R, Amor AM, RM, Fraga V, Mas R. Effect of policosanol

on the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis of normocholesterolemic rats. Biol

Res 1996;29(2):253-7.

18. Menendez R, Amor AM, Rodeiro I, RM, PC, Alfonso JL, et

al. Policosanol modulates HMG-CoA reductase activity in cultured fibroblasts.

Arch Med Res 2001;32(1):8-12.

19. Menendez R, Mas R, Amor AM, Ledon N, J, RM, et al.

Inhibition of rat lipoprotein lipid peroxidation by the oral administration

of D003, a mixture of very long-chain saturated fatty acids. Can J Physiol

Pharmacol 2002;80(1):13-21.

20. Menendez R, Mas R, Amor AM, RM, Fernandez JC, Rodeiro I, et al.

Effects of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of low density

lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy volunteers to oxidative modification

in vitro. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;50(3):255-62.

21. Pons P, M, Robaina C, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, et al.

Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of

patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment.

Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994;14(1):27-33.

22. Canetti M, Moreira M, Mas R, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, et al.

A two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients

with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res

1995;15(4):159-65.

23. Mas R, Castano G, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Aleman C, et al.

Effects of policosanol in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and

additional coronary risk factors. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999;65(4):439-47.

24. Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez JC, Illnait J, Fernandez L, Alvarez E.

Effects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia

and high coronary risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001;56(3):M186-92.

25. Castano G, Mas R, Arruzazabala ML, Noa M, Illnait J, Fernandez JC, et al.

Effects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation

and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol

Res 1999;19(4):105-16.

26. Prat H, Roman O, Pino E. [Comparative effects of policosanol and two

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on type II hypercholesterolemia]. Rev Med Chil

1999;127(3):286-94.

27. Crespo N, Illnait J, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez J, Castano G.

Comparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and

lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and noninsulin dependent

diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999;19(4):117-27.

28. Noa M, Mas R, Mesa R. A comparative study of policosanol vs lovastatin on

intimal thickening in rabbit cuffed carotid artery. Pharmacol Res

2001;43(1):31-7.

29. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 18th ed. Philadelphia: F A

Co; 1997.

30. Arruzazabala ML, Molina V, Carbajal D, Valdes S, Mas R. Effect of

policosanol on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils: role of prostacyclin

and thromboxane A2. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1993;49(3):695-7.

31. Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Mas R, Molina V, Valdes S. Effect of

policosanol on experimental thrombosis models. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent

Fatty Acids 1994;50(5):249-51.

32. Arruzazabala ML, Mas R, Molina V, Carbajal D, Mendoza S, Fernandez L, et

al. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in type II

hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Tissue React 1998;20(4):119-24.

33. Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R. Effect of policosanol on

platelet aggregation and serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in

healthy volunteers. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1998;58(1):61-4.

34. Valdes S, Arruzazabala ML, Fernandez L, Mas R, Carbajal D, Aleman C, et

al. Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in healthy volunteers. Int

J Clin Pharmacol Res 1996;16(2-3):67-72.

35. Castano G, Mas R, Roca J, Fernandez L, Illnait J, Fernandez JC, et al. A

double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of policosanol in

patients with intermittent claudication. Angiology 1999;50(2):123-30.

36. Castano G, Mas Ferreiro R, Fernandez L, Gamez R, Illnait J, Fernandez C.

A long-term study of policosanol in the treatment of intermittent

claudication. Angiology 2001;52(2):115-25.

37. Carbajal D, Arruzazabala ML, Valdes S, Mas R. Interaction

policosanol-warfarin on bleeding time and thrombosis in rats. Pharmacol Res

1998;38(2):89-91.

38. Molina V, Arruzazabala ML, Carbajal D, Valdes S, Noa M, Mas R, et al.

Effect of policosanol on cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils. Braz J Med

Biol Res 1999;32(10):1269-76.

39. Hudson T, ND. Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Los Angeles:

Keats; 1999.

40. Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, Fernandez JC, Illnait J, LE, et al.

Effects of policosanol on postmenopausal women with type II

hypercholesterolemia. Gynecol Endocrinol 2000;14(3):187-95.

41. O, Agramonte AJ, Illnait J, Mas Ferreiro R, Fernandez L, Fernandez

JC. Treatment of hypercholesterolemia in NIDDM with policosanol. Diabetes

Care 1995;18(3):393-7.

42. Castano G, Mas R, Fernandez L, Illnait J, Gamez R, Alvarez E. Effects of

policosanol 20 versus 40 mg/day in the treatment of patients with type II

hypercholesterolemia: a 6-month double-blind study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res

2001;21(1):43-57.

43. Aleman CL, Mas R, C, Rodeiro I, Cerejido E, Noa M, et al. A

12-month study of policosanol oral toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats. Toxicol

Lett 1994;70(1):77-87.

44. Aleman CL, Mas Ferreiro R, Noa Puig M, Rodeiro Guerra I, Ortega

C, Capote A. Carcinogenicity of policosanol in Sprague Dawley rats: a 24

month study. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1994;14(5):239-49.

45. Aleman CL, Puig MN, Elias EC, Ortega CH, Guerra IR, Ferreiro RM, et al.

Carcinogenicity of policosanol in mice: an 18-month study. Food Chem Toxicol

1995;33(7):573-8.

46. Mesa AR, Mas R, Noa M, C, Rodeiro I, Gamez R, et al. Toxicity

of policosanol in beagle dogs: one-year study. Toxicol Lett 1994;73(2):81-90.

47. Mirkin A, Mas R, to M, Boccanera R, is A, Poudes R, et al.

Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in hypercholesterolemic

postmenopausal women. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001;21(1):31-41.

[Guest guest]

Increase Omega 3 and decrease Omega 6.

Re: OT: Triglycerides

> Thanks , I'd be very interested to know.

>

> Kay

>

>

> > Kay,

> > I've heard good things about Omega 3 lowering triglycerides. I recently

> > sent something to my sister - I'll ask her if she still has it.

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'll try! : ) Thank you!

Kay

Increase Omega 3 and decrease Omega 6.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for this information!

Kay

http://www.rxvitamins.com/people/POLICOSANOLtech.asp

POLICOSANOL 10

SELECTIVELY PURIFIED FROM SUGAR CANE WAX