Though a natural remedy and thus far not causing side effects associated with statin drugs, those skeptical about policosinol quickly point out that it is not an FDA approved drug. As such, it has not been subjected to rigorous testing that comes with approving a new drug, including supervised preclinical trials and standardized testing in successively larger population of people. The fact that FDA approves 1 out of 5000, or .0002 of applications that it receives for new drug approval, is an indication of how highly valued – and rare – this approval is.

However, this instigates another debate – whether FDA approval process is most appropriate way to accept drugs into drug plans, and whether doctors should be permitted to prescribe non-FDA-approved drugs without undue concerns for malpractice lawsuits. Indeed, an MD may have personally benefited from a natural remedy like policosinol, but to prescribe that to a patient requires more support than personal preference, or even personal testimony.

And it is intersection of these two separate debates -- whether policosinol works or not, and whether FDA approval process is fair or not – that situation, and verdict on policosinol, currently lies. This debate is frustrating to all sides; including patients themselves, who simply want a real solution.

However, despite these frustrations, fact that efforts are being undertaken to develop – or verify – a remedy that is safe, complete, and free of side-effects – is a step in right direction. Additional research on policosinol will further clarify whether that step should be towards FDA approval, or towards a warning label.

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com

REFERENCES

[i] Source: “Heart Mender”. CNN.Com. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/americasbest/science.medicine/pro.pridker.html

[ii] Source: “Cholesterol”. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4488

[iii] Source: “Statin Medications: What are Side Effects?”. Mayoclinic.com http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=AN00587

[iv] Source: “Policosinol ”. Wholehealthmd.com. http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10127,00.html

[v] Source: “Policosinol : clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent”. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Am Heart J. 2002 Feb;143(2):356-65.

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

When I take enzymes orally, aren’t they destroyed by either my stomach acid or by my own store of stomach and intestinal enzymes?

Some enzymes taken orally, including those made from animal pancreas extracts, become inactive in low pH of stomach acid. Microbial derived enzymes are acid resistant, and can maintain activity at pH as low as 2.0 and as high as 10.0. Microorganisms use their enzymes to break down and digest plant material that they grow upon. Since site of fungal growth in nature can vary, fungi have evolved enzyme systems that allow plant to grow under a variety of conditions, including differences in pH and temperature. Pancreatic enzymes work under a much narrower range of pH in animal, since their environment is more controlled. Manufacturers often enterically coat pancreatic enzymes to provide resistance to acidity. Some of these coatings contain ingredients considered unhealthful.

The producers of Bio88+ (Plus) use only very finest “certified” organic, 100% vegetarian-based components in making of their highly nutritious food product. There are no animal based products associated with Bio 88+ (Plus). Feel free to contact author by email for additional information.

Based upon our final questions above, “aren’t they destroyed by my stomach acid…”, our next article, Part V, will deal with possible downside of enzymes and dietary enzyme supplements.

Disclaimer: These articles in no way should be taken as medical advice on any product or condition, nor do they constitute in any way medical advice endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. They are meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using a greens product as a dietary supplement. If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author bears no responsibility for your decisions nor for outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.