ABSTRACT
Octacosanol is one such supplement that has been the subject of many research studies. As with other types of supplementation, the benefits must outweigh the risks.
Octacosanol is the main active component of policosanol and wheat germ oil. Octacosanol is a long carbon chain: CH
(CH
)
CH
O
. It has a natural mixture of high molecular weight alcohols and is primarily isolated from sugar cane (
Saccharum officinarum
L) wax. Small quantities of octacosanol are available in the human diet through plants (mainly as a wax in the superficial layers of fruits), leaves, skins of common plants, and whole seeds. Most studies have used wheat germ oil extract or policosanol to elicit an octacosanol response.
