What Is Oxidized LDL?

Answer: LDL cholesterol, which is known as your "bad" cholesterol, becomes even more dangerous when it is oxidized. Oxidized LDL can produce inflammation in arteries that supply blood to your organs and other tissues, thus promoting atherosclerosis and increasing your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. The oxidation of LDL occurs when the LDL particles react with free radicals. The oxidized LDL itself then becomes more reactive with the surrounding tissues, which can produce tissue damage. Some of the things that appear to increase levels of oxidized LDL include consuming a diet that is high in trans fats, smoking, poorly controlled diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Once LDL becomes oxidized, it goes directly within the inner-lining (endothelium) of any artery in the body, including the carotid artery, coronary artery or the arteries that supply your legs and arms with blood. Once there, it encourages the accumulation of inflammatory cells, such as macrophage, and platelets at the site of the vessel and promotes their adhesion to the damaged area. More macrophages, cholesterol and other lipids begin to accumulate at the site, forming a plaque that begins to grow thicker. Over time, this can slow -- or completely restrict -- the amount of blood flow that travels to one or more areas of the body. This can result in a variety of health conditions, including coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease or dementia.

There are many things you can do to prevent the formation of oxidized LDL, and many of them involve making a few changes to your everyday habits to lower your LDL cholesterol, such as: Stop smoking. Exclude trans fats from your diet, such as pastries, deep fried foods and foods cooked with lard. Add fruits and vegetables to your diet. Not only do they contain plenty of nutrients and are low in fat, they also possess antioxidants that may help to reduce the oxidation of LDL. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or metabolic syndrome, get these conditions under control. This would include losing weight, eating healthy and exercising. In some cases, you may need medication to help lower your cholesterol. Some of these cholesterol-lowering medications, such as statins, also possess anti-inflammatory properties that can lower your cholesterol and prevent the inflammation that helps to establish the formation of atherosclerosis.

Sources:

Dipiro JT, Talbert RL. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiological Approach, 6th ed 2005.

Fauci AC, Kasper DL, Longo DL et al. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th edition, 2008.

View the original article here