Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol

Chen JT, Wesley R, Shamburek RD, Pucino F, Csako G

Published in Pharmacotherapy

Methodology

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing plant sterols/stanols with policosanol for LDL cholesterol lowering

Pooled trials, nearly all from a single Cuban research group, reported larger LDL reductions with policosanol than with plant sterols

Reported policosanol efficacy is dominated by trials from one institute and was not confirmed by later independent research

Severe source bias; superseded by independent negative trials

Compound

Pooled trials, nearly all from a single Cuban research group, reported larger LDL reductions with policosanol than with plant sterols

Year:2005

Quality Score:4/10

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