Policosanol is a mixture of very long chain alcohols that is
purified from sugar cane wax. Approximately 67% of policosanol
is octacosanol. Although some research has been conducted using
policosanol, little research is currently available that focuses
on octacosanol alone. One preliminary clinical study in
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease- a
chronic, progressive, neurologic disease in which loss of nerve
cells produces muscle paralysis) patients showed no measurable
benefit from octacosanol. As octacosanol is the main component
of policosanol, more research is needed to determine if
octacosanol is the primary active component of policosanol.
1-octacosanol, (3)H-octacosanol, cluytyl alcohol, montanyl
alcohol, n-octacosanol, octacosanoic acid, policosanol, Suregada
angustifolia (Baill. ex Muell. Arg.), very long chain fatty
alcohols. These uses have been tested in humans or animals.
Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of
these conditions are potentially serious,