Oxycholesterol Hard on the Heart

WASHINGTON—New research presented at the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society reveals oxycholesterol, a form of cholesterol, may be the most serious cardiovascular health threat of all.

Fried and processed food, particularly fast-food, contains high amounts of oxycholesterol. Researchers suggest avoiding these foods and eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, may help reduce its levels in the body.

“Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), and the heart-healthy high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) are still important health issues,” said study leader Zhen-Yu Chen, Ph.D., of Chinese University of Hong Kong. “But the public should recognize that oxycholesterol is also important and cannot be ignored. Our work demonstrated that oxycholesterol boosts total cholesterol levels and promotes atherosclerosis ['hardening of the arteries'] more than non-oxidized cholesterol.”