Policosanols: Chemistry, Occurrence, and Health Effects

Purpose of Review Overwhelming evidence indicates that reduction of blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C ameliorate the occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Long-chain alcohols and aldehydes known generically as policosanol (PC) and policosanal have attracted attention from researchers and scientists due to their cholesterol-lowering health benefits. Many researchers reported that PC decreased serum cholesterol, while others failed to reproduce this effect. The objective of this investigation was to update research data and establish the optimal future research direction of PC as a cholesterol-lowering alternative for use in food, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical industries.