I first came across the name 'Policosanol', which is also known as Octacosanol, 1-Octacosanol, N-Octacosanol, Octacosyl Alcohol, when I read the book Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever

Ray Kurzweil refers to Policosanol as being a non prescription drug that can dramatically reduce blood cholesterol and believes that it is comparable with prescription medications such as Statins. He goes on to state that in combination with statins, the effect on cholesterol is even greater. Policosanol has been shown in studies to decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol by up to 35% which is extremely important as LDL cholesterol has been linked to atherosclerosis which is commonly known as 'hardening of the arteries' which is caused by the build up of lipids inside the arteries of the heart leading to Coronary Heart Disease and eventually death.

Studies have shown that Policosanol can increase HDL (good) cholesterol by up to 15%. HDL cholesterol helps carry away cholesterol from the heart.

The structure of Policosanol is fatty alcohols (aliphatic primary alcohols) in long chains and it is created by refining sugar cane wax, which  is ironic to think that something made from a source of sugar could be good for your heart.