Oxidized cholesterolis made in the body when low-densitylipoprotein(LDL), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, goes through a chemical reaction. Oxidized cholesterol is what builds up on the artery walls, the muscular tubes that carry blood away from the heart.
Too much oxidized cholesterol can lead toatherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The resulting decrease in blood flow in your arteries raises your risk for heart attack andstroke.
What is cholesterol?Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood, one of a group of non-water-soluble molecules calledlipids. Cholesterol is used to build healthy cells in the body, which help with bodily structure, nutrient processing, and making energy.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood, one of a group of non-water-soluble molecules calledlipids. Cholesterol is used to build healthy cells in the body, which help with bodily structure, nutrient processing, and making energy.
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This article explains what oxidized cholesterol is, what causes it, and how it can impact your overall health. It will also discuss what can help reduce and prevent oxidized LDL buildup.
What Causes LDL to Oxidize?
LDL cholesterol can buildup due to:
When LDL cholesterol reacts withfree radicals(unstable molecules made during normal cell metabolism), it can become oxidized. While oxidation is a normal process, it is possible for your body to make too much oxidized cholesterol. This can lead to inflammation and other health concerns.
LDL cholesterol molecules are not all the same size. Smaller LDL particles are more likely to become oxidized, making them more dangerous to your health.
What Are The Effects of Oxidized LDL?
Over time, fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of the arteries. This causes the plaques to grow.
Plaque buildup can partially or completely block blood flow within an artery. This is referred to asatherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis increases a person’s risk for:
While research has largely indicated that oxidized LDL cholesterol has a negative effect on the body, some studies suggest mild oxidation of LDL may have some protective factors.
How Do You Reduce Oxidized LDL?
You can test for cholesterol levels through routinecholesterol blood tests. These determine levels of LDL, HDL, and triglycerides, or a type of fat in the blood. Routine cholesterol tests do not measure the concentration of small versus large LDL molecules or oxidized LDL levels, though advanced lipoprotein tests can measure these.
If you have elevated orhigh cholesterol, lifestyle changes can help you reduce your level of small LDL.This can help prevent the formation of oxidized LDL.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cholesterol testing should be done every four to six years for people age 20 or older who are at low risk for cardiovascular disease. People with cardiovascular risk factors may need more frequent testing.LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cholesterol testing should be done every four to six years for people age 20 or older who are at low risk for cardiovascular disease. People with cardiovascular risk factors may need more frequent testing.
LDL cholesterol levels should be less than 100 mg/dL.
How to Reduce Your Small, Dense LDL Cholesterol
What Foods Remove Oxidized Cholesterol?
What you eat can play a significant role in preventing oxidized LDL.Oxidized cholesterol-lowering foods include:
AntioxidantsAntioxidants are substances that help prevent oxidation and reduce or slow cell damage.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent oxidation and reduce or slow cell damage.
Foods That Cause Oxidized Cholesterol
Foods that cause oxidized cholesterol that should be limited or avoided include:
Natural sugars, like those found in fruits, have not been shown to increase cholesterol.
What Else Can Help Reduce Oxidized LDL?
Some cholesterol-lowering medications, such asstatins, also have anti-inflammatory properties that may help prevent the inflammation that promotes plaque buildup in the arteries.
At normal levels, LDL and HDL cholesterol do not cause problems.
12 Ways to Reduce LDL Cholesterol
Summary
Oxidized cholesterol forms in the body when LDL goes through a chemical reaction. Oxidized LDL can build up on the artery walls due to eating certain foods high in trans fats. Smoking tobacco products is also linked to high levels of oxidized LDL.
Oxidized LDL can lead to inflammation in the arteries and eventually atherosclerosis, which is linked to other serious health concerns.
A Word From Verywell
Oxidized LDL is increasingly recognized as a contributor to heart disease, vascular disease, and stroke.
If you’ve been diagnosed with elevated or high cholesterol, taking steps to eat healthier, exercise more, and to stop smoking can help. A lower level of LDL decreases the chance of plaque buildup. Speak with your healthcare provider about ways you can prevent or reduce LDL buildup.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStatins, a type of drug, are associated with reduced oxidized cholesterol levels.Learn MoreBe Aware of These Statin Drug InteractionsHighly processed foods, dairy, eggs, butter, meat, fish, and baked goods tend to cause a buildup of oxidized cholesterol.Learn MoreStudy: Eating Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Your IBD RiskLDL is a type of cholesterol that is considered bad. LDL that has gone through a chemical reaction is called oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL can lead to inflammation and other health concerns.Learn MoreSigns of a Weak Heart and Common CausesSmoking, and eating foods high in trans fats can cause a buildup of oxidized LDL.Learn MoreWhich Foods Are High in Trans Fats?
Frequently Asked Questions
Statins, a type of drug, are associated with reduced oxidized cholesterol levels.Learn MoreBe Aware of These Statin Drug Interactions
Statins, a type of drug, are associated with reduced oxidized cholesterol levels.
Learn MoreBe Aware of These Statin Drug Interactions
Highly processed foods, dairy, eggs, butter, meat, fish, and baked goods tend to cause a buildup of oxidized cholesterol.Learn MoreStudy: Eating Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Your IBD Risk
Highly processed foods, dairy, eggs, butter, meat, fish, and baked goods tend to cause a buildup of oxidized cholesterol.
Learn MoreStudy: Eating Ultra-Processed Foods May Increase Your IBD Risk
LDL is a type of cholesterol that is considered bad. LDL that has gone through a chemical reaction is called oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL can lead to inflammation and other health concerns.Learn MoreSigns of a Weak Heart and Common Causes
LDL is a type of cholesterol that is considered bad. LDL that has gone through a chemical reaction is called oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL can lead to inflammation and other health concerns.
Learn MoreSigns of a Weak Heart and Common Causes
Smoking, and eating foods high in trans fats can cause a buildup of oxidized LDL.Learn MoreWhich Foods Are High in Trans Fats?
Smoking, and eating foods high in trans fats can cause a buildup of oxidized LDL.
Learn MoreWhich Foods Are High in Trans Fats?
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Trpkovic A, Resanovic I, Stanimirovic J, et al.Oxidized low-density lipoprotein as a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases.Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2015;52(2):70-85. doi:10.3109/10408363.2014.992063
Meyer JM, Ji A, Cai L, van der Westhuyzen DR.Minimally oxidized LDL inhibits macrophage selective cholesteryl ester uptake and native LDL-induced foam cell formation.J Lipid Res.2014;55(8):1648. doi:10.1194/jlr.M044644
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National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.LDL: The “bad” cholesterol.
Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey AL, et al.2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines.Circulation. 2019;139(25):e1082-e1143. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625
DiNicolantonio JJ, Lucan SC, James H. O’Keefe JH.The evidence for saturated fat and for sugar related to coronary heart disease.Prog Cardiovasc Dis.2016;58(5):464-472. doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2015.11.006
Singh P, Goncalves I, Tengryd C, et al.Reduced oxidized LDL in T2D plaques is associated with a greater statin usage but not with future cardiovascular events.Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2020;19(1):214. doi:10.1186/s12933-020-01189-z
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