Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHealth BenefitsPossible Side EffectsDosageWhat to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Health Benefits
Possible Side Effects
Dosage
What to Look For
Policosanol, also known asoctacosanol, is a dietary supplement taken to lowercholesterol. 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.
Verywell / Getty Images
Health Benefits of Policosanol
Policosanol has been touted as a dietary supplement that can helplower 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 asstatin drugscommonly prescribed to treathypercholesterolemia(high cholesterol). However, some studies find no such benefit.
Policosanol may also have reduced effects onkey liver enzymessuch asaspartate aminotransferase(AST) andalanine aminotransferase(ALT) compared to these drugs.
A promising 2018 review of studies published inMolecular Nutrition and Food Researchconcluded that based on 22 studies involving 1,886 participants, policosanol from sugar cane can improve LDL and HDL levels. Even so, the researchers found inconsistent findings and advised that additional human trials are needed.
Limitations to Research FindingsAmong 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.
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.
Supplements to Lower Cholesterol; Which Actually Work?
Most studies suggest that policosanol derived from sugar cane is well tolerated with minimal side effects. The most common include:
Policosanol may have anticoagulant (blood-thinning) properties. As such, it should be used cautiously if you take a blood thinner likeaspirin,warfarin, orheparinbefore surgery.
However, a study of the commonly prescribed warfarin and its interactions with herbal products found that policosanol did not interfere with warfarin’s effects.Other interactions can include:
Policosanol may also increase the action oflevodopa, a medication used for Parkinson’s disease. This leads to side effects calleddyskinesias, 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 andkidney disease.Speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement use.
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 andkidney disease.Speak with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement use.
Which Foods Can Lower Cholesterol?
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.
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.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements like prescription drugs. This means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD), or pharmacist.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements like prescription drugs. This means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN or RD), or pharmacist.
How Phytosterols in Plants Help Lower Cholesterol
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.
4 Simple and Effective Ways to Lower Cholesterol
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harrabi S, Ferchichi A, Bacheli A, Fellah H.Policosanol composition, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of milk thistle (Silybium marianumL.) oil at different seed maturity stages.Lipids Health Dis.2018;17:82. doi:10.1186/s12944-018-0682-zAskarpour M, Ghaedi E, Roshanravan N, et al.Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2019;45:89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.023Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N,et al.A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res. 2022 Sep;183:106402. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106402.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.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.201700280Kim 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 subjects.Int J Mol Med. 2017;39(4):889-899. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2907Tan 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.Pandey S, Srivanitchapoom P.Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: clinical features, pathophysiology, and medical management.Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):190-198. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_239_17
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Harrabi S, Ferchichi A, Bacheli A, Fellah H.Policosanol composition, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of milk thistle (Silybium marianumL.) oil at different seed maturity stages.Lipids Health Dis.2018;17:82. doi:10.1186/s12944-018-0682-zAskarpour M, Ghaedi E, Roshanravan N, et al.Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2019;45:89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.023Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N,et al.A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res. 2022 Sep;183:106402. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106402.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.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.201700280Kim 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 subjects.Int J Mol Med. 2017;39(4):889-899. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2907Tan 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.Pandey S, Srivanitchapoom P.Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: clinical features, pathophysiology, and medical management.Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):190-198. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_239_17
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Harrabi S, Ferchichi A, Bacheli A, Fellah H.Policosanol composition, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of milk thistle (Silybium marianumL.) oil at different seed maturity stages.Lipids Health Dis.2018;17:82. doi:10.1186/s12944-018-0682-zAskarpour M, Ghaedi E, Roshanravan N, et al.Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2019;45:89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.023Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N,et al.A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res. 2022 Sep;183:106402. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106402.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.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.201700280Kim 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 subjects.Int J Mol Med. 2017;39(4):889-899. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2907Tan 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.Pandey S, Srivanitchapoom P.Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: clinical features, pathophysiology, and medical management.Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):190-198. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_239_17
Harrabi S, Ferchichi A, Bacheli A, Fellah H.Policosanol composition, antioxidant and anti-arthritic activities of milk thistle (Silybium marianumL.) oil at different seed maturity stages.Lipids Health Dis.2018;17:82. doi:10.1186/s12944-018-0682-z
Askarpour M, Ghaedi E, Roshanravan N, et al.Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Complement Ther Med. 2019;45:89-97. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.023
Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N,et al.A network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res. 2022 Sep;183:106402. doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106402.
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.
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
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 subjects.Int J Mol Med. 2017;39(4):889-899. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2907
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.
Pandey S, Srivanitchapoom P.Levodopa-induced dyskinesia: clinical features, pathophysiology, and medical management.Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2017 Jul-Sep;20(3):190-198. doi: 10.4103/aian.AIAN_239_17
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
