Cholesterol is a little waxy lipid (fat) molecule that happens to be one of the most important substances in the human body. Every cell membrane has cholesterol as a critical structural and functional component. Brain cells need cholesterol to make synapses (connections) with other brain cells. Cholesterol is the precursor molecule for important hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, cortisol, and pregnenolone. Cholesterol is needed for making the bile acids that allow us to digest and absorb fats. Cholesterol is made into all-important vitamin D in the presence of sunlight. Bottom line is that you can’t live without cholesterol, which is why your liver actually makes up to 1,400 milligrams a day regardless of how much food-borne cholesterol you consume— or how much you avoid it like the plague—in your diet.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 08:08:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015