What is cholesterol in human body
The human body naturally produces lipids, including cholesterol, which is a type of fat.
It is a crucial part of cell membranes and is crucial for many bodily processes.
Although cholesterol is frequently linked to poor health outcomes, it’s important to remember that the body requires it to function properly when it’s at the proper levels.
Cholesterol serves several vital functions, including:
Cell membrane structure: Cholesterol helps maintain the integrity and fluidity of cell membranes, ensuring their proper functioning.
Hormone production: It serves as a building block for the synthesis of important hormones, including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.
Vitamin D synthesis: Cholesterol is a precursor for the production of vitamin D, a vital nutrient involved in bone health and various other physiological processes.
Bile acid production: Cholesterol is converted into bile acids in the liver, which are essential for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats.
There are two different types of cholesterol:
HDL and LDL are two different types of lipoproteins.
Since LDL cholesterol is removed from the blood and transported back to the liver for processing and elimination, HDL cholesterol is frequently referred to as “good” cholesterol.
On the other hand, LDL cholesterol is frequently referred to as “bad” cholesterol because it can help form artery plaque, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.
It’s critical to keep the body’s cholesterol levels in a healthy range.
A lack of HDL cholesterol or an excess of LDL cholesterol will create an unbalance and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Smoking, inactivity, and poor diet are examples of lifestyle factors that can raise LDL cholesterol levels.
To help control cholesterol levels, health professionals typically advise living a healthy lifestyle that includes eating a balanced diet, exercising frequently, and quitting smoking.
In some circumstances, especially when dietary changes are insufficient, doctors may prescribe drugs called statins to control cholesterol levels.
It should be noted that food sources of cholesterol include primarily items derived from animals, including meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products.
In contrast, dietary cholesterol has a much smaller impact on blood cholesterol levels than saturated and trans fats, and the liver produces the majority of the body’s cholesterol.
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