Octacosanol for Sports & Fitness
Octacosanol is a waxy substance naturally present in some plant oils and is the primary component of the sugar cane extract called policosanol.
Why Do Athletes Use It?*
Some athletes say that octacosanol helps increase speed and strength and improve reaction time.
What Do the Advocates Say?*
Animal studies suggest that octacosanol may help muscles obtain and utilize fatty acids for energy production. Other claims for increased anabolic and oxygen utilization effects have not been proven. Very little human research has investigated the effects of octacosanol on exercise performance, and results have been mixed.
How Much Is Usually Taken by Athletes?
Octacosanol, a waxy substance found in wheat germ oil, has been investigated as an ergogenic agent. Preliminary studies have suggested that octacosanol improves endurance, reaction time, and other measures of exercise capacity.1 In another preliminary trial, supplementation with 1 mg per day of octacosanol for eight weeks improved grip strength and visual reaction time, but it had no effect on chest strength, auditory reaction time, or endurance.2