Octacosanol Supplements
Description
Octacosonol, a buff-colored granular powder, is the principle sterol of wheat germ oil. 10 pounds of whole wheat are concentrated to provide 1 gm of octacosanol. It was isolated as the key ingredient in (Viobin) wheat germ oil by Dr. Thomas Cureton in the 1950’s. The patent has now run out so a number of other manufacturers have entered the market.
Method of Action
Octacosonol has been identified as the component in wheat germ oil responsible for lowering cholesterol and improving oxygen utilization.
Therapeutic Approaches
Octacosanol has also been demonstrated to be an ergogenic aid. There may be a delay in receiving the benefits of 4 - 6 weeks. Benefits, such as: improved strength, stamina, and reaction time. It is likely to prove beneficial to those individuals who experience muscle pain after exercise, have poor exercise tolerance or poor endurance.
Muscular dystrophies and other neuromuscular disorders (e.g. ALS and Parkinson’s) have proven responsive in some individuals to wheat germ oil concentrate. This supplement is not a “cure-all” for everyone, especially with these very complex diseases.
Recommended dosages are in the order of 1 -10 mg/day of octacosanol.
Toxicity Factors
No adverse effects are cited. However, some people cannot tolerate wheat germ oil (20% are allergic to wheat) or worry about the calories but can ingest crystalline octacosanol. Millions also choose a concentrated form of wheat germ oil. Therapeutic dosages of octacosanol have safely exceeded typical supplementary levels by a factor of 10 - 100.
References
Alfin-Slater, R.B.: Fed. Proceedings, 1960(19): 18-22.
Cureton, T.K.: Med. Sportiva 1958 (12): 259-63.
Kato-S. et-al: Octacosanol affects lipid metabolism in rats fed on a high-fat diet. Br-J-Nutr. 1995 Mar; 73(3): 433-41.
Norris, F.H. et al: Trial of octacosanol in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Neurology, 1986,36: 1263-4.
Snider, S.R. Octacosanol in parkinsonism. Ann. Neur. 1984,16:723.
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