Knowing Cholesterol and Its 5 Main Functions

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What is cholesterol, where it comes from, what is bad and what is

good about cholesterol. The word " cholesterol " can refer either to

the cholesterol found in the body itself (blood cholesterol) or the

cholesterol found in food (dietary cholesterol).

 

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is important for a healthy

body because it is needed to give strength to the cells (or building

blocks) in your body. It is a versatile compound that is vital to the

function of the human body. It also plays an important role in the

formation of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

 

You get cholesterol in two ways, from your body itself and from what

you have taken as your meals. Your liver makes about 80% cholesterol

for your body and the rest about 20% comes from animal products that

you eat, such as meats, eggs, and dairy products. Some foods contain

saturated or trans-fat, which also cause your body to make

cholesterol. The foods that raise your blood cholesterol the most are

saturated fat and trans-fat in such foods as fatty meat and whole-fat

dairy products, snack foods and ready-prepared foods. Foods that have

high levels of dietary cholesterol include egg yolks, organ meats,

shrimp, squid and fatty meats. Thats' the reason why you have to know

your food.

 

Dietary cholesterol only has an effect in some people. From a

nutrition perspective, the best way for controlling blood cholesterol

is to eat a healthy diet that is lower in fat, especially saturated

and trans-fat.

 

Just like everything else; cholesterol levels differ greatly among

individuals. In humans, cholesterol serves 5 main functions:

 

 

 

 

Cholesterol is used by the body to manufacture steroids, or cortisone-

like hormones, including the sex hormones. These hormones include

testosterone, estrogen and cortisone. Combined, these hormones

control a myriad of bodily functions.

 

 

Cholesterol helps the liver produce bile acids. These acids are

essential for digestion of fats and ridding the body of waste.

 

 

Cholesterol acts as a cell to interconnect " lipid molecules " . A lipid

molecule is needed to stabilize our cell membranes. Without

cholesterol, our bodies ruins.

 

 

Cholesterol is an important part of the myelin sheath which is a

neuron consists of fat-containing cells that insulate the axon from

electrical activity. It is to ensure our brain functions properly by

aiding route of electrical impulses. Without it, our brain would be

difficult to focus and might lose of memory.

 

 

Finally, Cholesterol has lots of beneficial on the human body immune

system.

 

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