ENLISTING SUGAR IN BATTLE AGAINST CHOLESTEROL
A GOLD Coast company has developed a new product in the battle to combat the leading cause of death and disease in Australia.
Wigna Policosanol uses the natural ingredient policosanol – derived from sugar cane wax – to lower cholesterol and help maintain healthy weight loss to fight cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke.
The new product, which was recently granted approval from the Therapeutic Goods Administration is the brainchild of Jeffrey Park, who is the managing director of Wigna Pharmaceuticals.
“High cholesterol is a prominent factor in cardiovascular disease, causing plaque build-up within the arteries, preventing blood flow and contributing to heart attacks, strokes and chronic pain,” said Mr Park, who has lived on the Gold Coast since 1997.
Mr Park said the health benefits of policosanol had gained recognition in recent years.
In March, the journal Scientific Reports – published by Nature Research – presented findings by Japanese medical scientists on the benefits of policosanol in preventing high fat dietinduced obesity and metabolic disorders.
“Policosanol works by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, while maintaining good cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in the body. It may also assist in lowering blood pressure,” Mr Park said.
Giant Chemist has begun stocking Wigna Policosanol, in the wake of TGA approval.
Wigna Pharmaceuticals – previously Wigna Korea – has been supplying health supplements throughout Australia and New Zealand for the past 10 years.
Mr Park also supplies products including vitamins and health supplements to almost 5000 chemists across South Korea. He plans to take Wigna Policosanol to market there this year.
Wigna Policosanol is just the start of a produce range he is developing in the fight against cardiovascular disease.
“All our products are manufactured and owned in Australia,” he said.