On the Q10
Studies have shown policosanol to be generally safe, but there are a few notes of caution. Of course, a doctor or healthcare professional should be consulted before beginning any new supplement regimen. In the case of policosanol, this is especially necessary for those who are taking blood-thinning medications, or for patients who are currently taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. Also, some study subjects have experienced mild side effects from policosanol, including insomnia, headache, diarrhoea, nervousness, and weight loss. These short-term side effects have been reported in less than one percent of the subjects tested. And unlike statin drugs, policosanol has not been shown to have a harmful effect on the liver - the organ that manages the production of cholesterol. Another concern is policosanol's effect on levels of CoQ10, the antioxidant enzyme that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health, and possibly even help prevent congestive heart failure. One of the ironies of statin drugs is that they've been shown to lower CoQ10 levels. So while you're risking serious long-term side effects to reduce cholesterol, you're also removing a powerful heart healthy antioxidant. Meanwhile, some research has indicated that policosanol may also have a negative effect on CoQ10, although Dr. Wright has stated that policosanol does not seriously interfere with the body's ability to produce CoQ10. In any case, a supplement of CoQ10 will be helpful for most people, and some policosanol manufacturers have even added CoQ10 to their supplement formulas.(published with permission in writing from:http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk)
