A Component of LDL We Should Know About

Forty years ago, knowing a cholesterol level was enough – it enabled one to estimate increased risk of cardiovascular problems in later life. Then it became important to know about the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterols: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), respectively. Now there’s a new factor: oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL). This substance, which accounts for only a minor fraction of LDL (0.001% to 5.0%), has been shown to be linked to carotid artery intima/media thickness (CIMT), itself a sign of early atherosclerosis.

A new article in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows an association between the blood levels of Ox-LDL with the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome. And high levels of Ox-LDL were shown to be linked to 3 of the individual components of the metabolic syndrome: obesity, high triglyceride levels, and high fasting blood glucose levels. In contrast, LDL-C levels had somewhat limited association with the metabolic syndrome symptoms.

It really looks as if oxidized LDL is the villain in the LDL -C complex. Next time your doctor says “Your LDL cholesterol is a little high” ask him what your oxidized LDL is. She (or he) will probably be flabbergasted. It’s not being measured as a routine, yet. But it soon will be!