Sugar Pills Redux

The Wall Street Journal had an excellent
article today on new clinical research that suggests
that policosanol has no effect at all on cholesterol
levels.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115016002768278486.html?mod=health_home_inside_today_left_column

Can a Sugar-Cane Extract Cut Cholesterol?

By LAURA JOHANNES
June 13, 2006; Page D3

"new evidence suggests it may not work after all, and physicians say patients should stick to proven remedies."
...
"almost all the published work comes from Cuba, a sugar-cane producer that has been seeking to create a policosanol industry."
...
"However, two recent studies raise doubts about the efficacy of policosanol."
...
"cholesterol experts say that, unless further independent research shows policosanol works, it's probably a waste of money."