Policosanol - A Promising Supplement From Deep in the Heart of Cuba

Cuba, which most people associate with cigars, Fidel Castro, and the Cuban Missile Crisis, has recently pioneered research in a natural agent known as policosanol.  Derived from the waxy layer of the sugar cane plant, policosanol has been shown to reduce cholesterol and platelet adherence.  As a result of these benefits, policosanol should be able to reduce the occurrence of both heart attacks and stroke.

Although not yet widely known among nutritionists and physicians, it is actually quite well studied in both animals and humans, and trial results show that the benefits of policosanol in reducing cholesterol are comparable to the "statins" (i.e. Lipitor and Zocor).  Therefore it is reasonable to expect its use to produce a 20 percent decrease in total cholesterol and LDL, while achieving an increase in the beneficial HDL cholesterol.   Policosanol has also been used in patients with multiple risk factors, as well as those with dysfunction of the liver.  This is a great advantage of policosanol over statin medications, since statins are known to produce both muscle damage and liver toxicity.  In addition to reducing cholesterol, this natural agent has also been found to reduce angina, improve leg circulation, and reduce abnormal cardiogram readings on stress testing of patients with coronary heart disease.

The mechanisms of action of this new supplement are not yet well established. Policosanol certainly inhibits platelet clumping but it is much less clear how it reduces cholesterol.  While it is theorized to both block cholesterol adsorption from the intestines and inhibit cholesterol production from the liver, many natural agents have multiple mechanisms of actions.

A big plus of this new compound is that it appears to be safe and free of serious side effects, at least based on current data which have included over 3,000 patients in more than 60 clinical trials and a number of animal studies specifically looking at toxicity.  Although policosanol is a safe and effective nutrient supplement, it should be used under a physician’s guidance.  For more information, you will have to wait to read Dr. Magaziner’s upcoming book.

BACK TO TOP

Fish Consumption: Can it be Counterproductive?

In the past 10 years, studies have indicated that consumption of fish containing high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids would help protect against cardiovascular disease.  While we have warned of mercury toxicity from the consumption of fish in previous newsletters, a report in this past month’s New England Journal of Medicine indicates that mercury consumption from fish may also contribute to heart attacks.

In the study, lead by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, men from eight countries were evaluated for risk of heart attacks based upon the body’s mercury level.  Samples were obtained from both the men’s nail clippings and from adipose (fat) tissue biopsies.  It was found that those men who suffered a heart attack had mercury levels 15% higher than the control population.  It was also discovered that men with the highest levels of Omega-3 fatty acids had the lowest risk of heart attack.

While the results of this study agree with prior studies that use of fish oils is heart healthy, the consumption of fish may be detrimental.  The researchers advised the population to avoid fish known to contain elevated levels of mercury, such as swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark.  However, many other species of fish are also contaminated by mercury including tuna, snapper, and even salmon.

If you are at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, or stroke, we would advise an evaluation for mercury. You may be surprised to hear that we have found that nearly one-third of the adult population that we have tested for mercury toxicity have tested positive.  While most laboratories are not equipped to perform nail samples, there are other methods of diagnosis.  Be aware that a simple blood test will not detect high tissue levels and may only show acute exposure.  Therefore, more sophisticated methods are necessary.

BACK TO TOP

When most of us think about infection, we envision fever, body aches, redness, swelling, and malaise.  Many of us are not familiar with the concept of how infections can lead to chronic diseases.  Infections have been found lingering in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease and other maladies.  What is unique to this latter population is that they do not exhibit the classical signs and symptoms of infection but suffer the consequences.  Fortunately in these individuals, treatment of the infection has been helpful in relieving fatigue and symptoms of fibromyalgia.  Treatment of infections has unclear results when it comes to cardiovascular disease.

At the Philadelphia College for Osteopathic Medicine, a recent study examined the link between Alzheimer’s disease and infection.  After examining the brain tissue of deceased individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it was found that 85% of the samples contained the infection Chlamydia pneumoniae.  Known to cause "walking pneumonia", it is theorized that the Chlamydia will infiltrate into the circulatory system and deposit in the brain, causing destruction.  The result is the tangled web of cognition and memory known as Alzheimer’s dementia.  While these results are interesting, it is not known if antibiotic therapy could reverse or halt damage done by such infections.  While research is still in its infancy, it is not unreasonable to suggest screening patients with early dementia for this infection.

BACK TO TOP

Most Americans are recently familiar with the use of  botox injections to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.  However, the use of this agent began in the early 1970s as treatment for crossed eyes (also called strabismus) and has since been used to treat muscle spasms, torticollis, and conditions of excessive sweating.

Botox has become hyped among both celebrities and baby boomers seeking to reduce the signs of aging.  The use of this procedure for facial lines has increased by 1500% in the past four years, producing a $400 million market.  Botox has been recently approved in the United States for treatment of forehead wrinkles and "crows feet."  Other areas of the face and body have not been approved because of a lack of efficacy.  Although short-term negative side effects are rare, they include facial paralysis, headache, swelling and visual disturbances.  It is unclear if other serious reactions of heart attacks and irregular heart rhythms are caused by botox.  However, in a report in the British Medical Journal, neurologists caution about the use of botox by the general public, as the long-term risks are not clear.

If you are seeking a natural solution to reverse external signs of facial aging, we recommend considering a mesolift.  Appearing more natural than a face lift, a mesolift utilizes injections of vitamins in order to restore facial tone, soften the appearance of wrinkles, restore the jaw line and improve skin quality.  The mesolift procedure was pioneered in France and has been used for decades without report of serious side effects.  As with any injection, slight bruising can occur.  For more information on mesotherapy and its uses, please visit our mesotherapy link or www.mesotherapymd.com.
 

BACK TO TOP

Unfortunately, there has been a consensus opinion by oncologists and radiation oncologists that antioxidant vitamins should not be used by patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.  This opinion, however, is not based upon scientific fact.  The  opinion of these practitioners is rather based on fear that the antioxidants reduce the effectiveness of their respective therapies.  Science says otherwise, as several studies performed at the University of Colorado have proven that cancer patients who take antioxidants have reduced side effects and enhanced results in comparison to their counterparts who do not take the supplements.

A recent study published in the journal of the American College of Nutrition evaluated chromosomal (DNA) damage in both cervical and ovarian cancer cells and normal cells treated with alpha-tocopheryl succinate (vitamin E).  Results showed that vitamin E accentuated DNA damage in the cancer cells and therefore enhanced the beneficial effect of radiation therapy.  In addition, vitamin E protected the normal cells from radiation damage.  Both the cancer cells and the normal cells adsorbed a similar amount of the vitamin.

It is reasonable to conclude that vitamin E may improve the efficacy of radiation therapy by enhancing tumor response while decreasing toxicity in normal cells.  In our clinical experience, we have found a customized regiment of antioxidants, detoxifying agents, enzymes, and immune boosters to aid our patients who have cancer.



BACK TO TOP