Policosanol is a sugarcane-derived supplement studied for cholesterol lowering. Evidence is mixed: some trials report modest LDL reductions, but larger independent studies are inconsistent. Consult your clinician before use.
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. Get a baseline lipid panel in early adulthood, manage risk factors with lifestyle changes, and use medications like statins when needed to lower heart attack and stroke risk.
A concise guide to the four lipid panel values - total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides - current target ranges, and how clinicians use these numbers to manage heart-disease risk.
A lipid profile is a set of blood tests (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, and non-HDL) used to assess cardiovascular risk and guide lifestyle or medication decisions. Interpretation depends on overall ASCVD risk and current guideline-based targets.
Dietary patterns - especially Mediterranean-style eating, more soluble fiber and plant sterols, and replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats - can lower LDL cholesterol, but average reductions are modest and individual responses vary.
Policosanol is a sugar-cane-derived supplement marketed for cholesterol support. Early Cuban trials were promising, but later independent studies showed inconsistent results. It may be well tolerated short-term, but it is not a proven substitute for prescription lipid-lowering therapy.
Beta-sitosterol is a common plant sterol that can reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption and has modest supporting evidence for improving BPH symptoms. It is generally safe but should be discussed with a clinician before use.