Octacosanol what is it , Although its name and chemical formula look and sound scary, this non-essential substance has the valuable function of improving the endurance and ability of those taking it to store energy. From the point of view of sports, its non-essentiality is greatly underestimated.
Table of Contents
What is octacosanol?
Octacosanol is an alcohol derived from vegetable oils, mainly wheat germ oil and sugar cane.
Basic physiological effects
It has ergogenic functions. Improves endurance and oxygen saturation of muscle tissue.
What are the optimal doses?
5 to 10 milligrams twice daily if octacosanol is part of policosanol. 1 mg divided into two doses per day if octacosanol is taken in pure form.
Possible harmful / side effects when taking octacosanol
Long trials of the drug taken by athletes in doses exceeding 20 mg per day did not show any side effects. There is no information to interact with other drugs.
Which drugs are the main source of octacosanol?
Octacosanol can usually be found as a stand-alone preparation in its pure form or as a subunit in the policosanol molecule. It can also be found in some ergogens and energetics, as well as in recovery preparations.
Additional physiological effects of octacosanol
Policosanol has low blood cholesterol lowering functions. As part of its molecule, octacosanol has been attributed similar functions, but this has not been clinically confirmed. There is evidence of its ability to improve oxygen saturation in working muscles, thus reducing oxidative stress during exercise. There is evidence that it encourages the body to retain more liver and muscle glycogen when taken as a post-workout recovery supplement. Improves visual response time and some specific endurance.
Why take it?
If you want to improve your recovery after a hard workout and provide yourself with more energy as muscle glycogen, you can trust it. Undoubtedly, this is one of its most important qualities, related to the sport of iron. If you want to improve your aerobic endurance, you can rely on it again. His recommendations in this regard are from some of the largest sports universities in the world.
How is octacosanol absorbed by the body?
The absorption of octacosanol in humans is incomplete. There is a clear proportional relationship between the level of lipids in the food consumed with the drug and the degree of its absorption. The time to increase plasma levels of otcacosanol varies between one and four hours after consumption.
Which foods contain the most octacosanol?
Undoubtedly, this is the wheat germ. However, to get 1 milligram of octacosanol, you will need to eat 4.5 kg of embryos.
Sources used :
- Cureton TK. The physiological effects of wheat germ oil on humans. In Exercise. Illinois: Charles C. Thomas, 1972, 296–300
- Saint-John M. McNaughton L. Octacosanol ingestion and its effects on metabolic responses to submaximal cycle ergometry, reaction time and chest and grip strength. Int Clin Nutr Re 1986;6(2):81–7
- Pons P. Rodriguez M, Robaina C, et al. Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharm Res 1994;14:27–33
