Antioxidants May Not Reduce Cholesterol

by Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD on April 14th, 2006

Antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamin E, deactivate free radicals which are known to cause cell damage. Free radicals are also known to oxidize LDL cholesterol leading to the build-up of fat in arteries. Theoretically, preventing this oxidation should reduce the risk of heart disease. New evidence suggests that antioxidants may not play such a role after all.

Researchers have found that Probucol, a cholesterol-lowering drug that reduced the levels of LDL cholesterol but with adverse side effects, was not acting as an anti-oxidant as previously thought. It seems to exert its effect via a part of the drug molecule that is not well-understood.

This finding could explain why previous studies have not found vitamin E or other antioxidants to have a strong cardioprotective effect. And it also means that drugs closely related to Probucol (but without the same side effects) may turn out to be a good alternative for controlling cholesterol levels.

Medical News Today, April 14, 2006

*Graphic from the Graz University of Technology