What is cholesterol? what causes high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a lipid (fat) which is produced by the liver beauty. Cholesterol is vital for normal body function. Every cell in our body has cholesterol in its outer layer.
Cholesterol is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma of all animals. It is the main sterol synthesized by animals - small amounts are also synthesized in plants and fungi. A sterol is a steroid sub-group.
Cholesterol levels among US adults today are generally higher than in all other industrial nations. During the 1990s there was some concern about cholesterol levels in American children.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 1 in every 10 children/adolescents in the USA has elevated total cholesterol levels; and this was after concentrations had dropped over a 20-year period.1beauty
The word "cholesterol" comes from the Greek word chole, meaning "bile", and the Greek word stereos, meaning "solid, stiff".2
This Medical News Today information article provides details on the functions of cholesterol, how it is transported in the blood, and what normal cholesterol levels are. beauty
In addition, the article points out the dangers of high cholesterol levels, the potential causes, its symptoms, how high cholesterol is diagnosed, and the treatment options.
What are the functions of cholesterol?
Below is a list of the important functions of cholesterol:3
It builds and maintains cell membranes.3
It is essential for determining which molecules can pass into the cell and which cannot (cell membrane permeability).
It is involved in the production of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens).3
It is essential for the production of hormones released by the adrenal glands (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and others).
It aids in the production of bile.3
It converts sunshine to vitamin D, which among other things is said to have cardiovascular benefits. However, scientists at Rockefeller University were surprised to find that taking vitamin D supplements did not reduce the risk of cholesterol-related cardiovascular disease.4
It is important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K. beauty
It insulates nerve fibers.