Oxidized LDL or oxidized low-density lipoprotein, is a different type of the known LDL cholesterol also called the bad cholesterol. Having high levels of LDL cholesterol is dangerous if only due to its tendency to build up within blood vessel walls thus enhancing atherosclerosis or the narrowing of the arteries. It appears however, that in order to prevent heart disease and strokes, it’s not enough to reduce overall cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, you must also focus your efforts to keep the LDL cholesterol from oxidizing meaning becoming oxidized low-density lipoprotein.

An abundance of free radicals in the blood (due to the wrong diet for example), can in fact damage the LDL cholesterol making it transform into an even more dangerous form of oxidized LDL. Although LDL cholesterol should be lowered in order to prevent the onset of dangerous conditions such as heart attacks, LDL is not all bad as it enhances normal cell function. The problem begins when there are excess amounts of LDL cholesterol. This excess amounts of low-density lipoprotein can be the result of an over production of LDL by the liver due to genetic tendencies or it can be due to consuming the high cholesterol foods or both. But be that as it may, oxidized low-density lipoprotein occurs when your diet is low in anti oxidants, which can fight and neutralize these dangerous free radicals, which are known to be the main trigger for most chronic conditions including cancer.

It seems that oxidized low-density lipoprotein is not less risky than LDL and can contribute to dangerous condition as well. Among these conditions are: the inhibition of the production of nitric oxide by your blood vessel cells, to falsely stimulate white cells to be released by manipulating the chemical messengers responsible for white cells function and to promote atherosclerosis and heart disease as a result of higher levels of oxidized LDL. It also seems the occurrence of oxidized LDL is more common among people who suffer from diabetics.

It’s only logical, that by neutralizing free radicals, the main cause as to why LDL becomes oxidized LDL, we can minimize the chances of this occurrence and thus lower the risk for the dangerous condition oxidized LDL can lead to. Well, how do we fight these free radicals? Antioxidants found in Vitamins like C and E, in certain whole foods and in specific supplements is the answer. By stepping into a diet rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, by taking the necessary antioxidant supplements and by exercising regularly we provide the body with the energy and force it needs not only to lower the LDL cholesterol but to also prevent the dangerous transformation of LDL to oxidized low-density lipoprotein.