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What is Cholesterol: The Basics |
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Written by Webmaster
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By Matt Morrison
 Cholesterol, in its most basic sense, is a fat that lines your bloodstream and can be found within the membrane of every cell in your body. A handful of cholesterol would feel and look something like soft off-white candle shavings. While controlling cholesterol is becoming increasingly more popular among adults fearing heart attacks, it must be understood that without it, the body would be incapable of performing many basic and essential functions, such as the production of sex hormones, a healthy digestion process, the regulation of membrane fluidity, and even converting the sunlight that touches your skin to the every-important Vitamin D.
Cholesterol is classified as a sterol, a conjunction of the words steroid and alcohol. It is, as mentioned above, essential in the synthesis of steroid hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone in all mammals, progesterone and estrogen's in females, and testosterone in men. Each of these individual hormones play an extensive role in daily life, from the responses to stress, to the ability to retain water and sodium in the kidneys. Through its control on progesterone, cholesterol
also has a significant effect on the female menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Cholesterol aides in the production of bile located in the gallbladder. Bile is the number one tool used in your body's digestive system. It is passed from the gallbladder to the stomach during and after consuming food. In the event that the body has excessive amounts of cholesterol (and not enough bile salts) then a gallstone can occur. While gallstones have the potential of being easily taken care of, they can take up to two years of medication to dissolve completely. Even after this time, recurrence is not rare. Gallstones can also be attributed to pancreatitis - or the inflammation of the pancreas. One must also be wary of not limiting their body's cholesterol too much, because without it, bile cannot be created, breaking down the digestive system. A lack of bile can cause steatorrhea, which is an excess presence of fat in stools.
Finally, it is important to explore the uses of cholesterol in the construction of cell membranes, as well as the fluidity of these membranes. The lipid bilayer is the most important aspect of this membrane, and is known to be essential for every living thing on earth. The cell membrane consists almost entirely of proteins and lipids, which work together in order to perform necessary cellular processes. Most importantly among these processes is the act of membrane fluidity, or, the viscosity of the membrane. A lack of viscosity, or ability for the cell membrane to move, is a leading cause of heart attacks, due to a clogging of the bloodstream.
So, while cholesterol in an excess amount can be detrimental to the body, it is crucial to realize that the lack of cholesterol can be nearly as dangerous. A proper balance of cholesterol is essential for a healthy lifestyle, and understanding what are known as good and bad forms of cholesterol is a big part of that.
To learn more about cholesterol structure and the intricacies of cholesterol visit: http://www.decreasecholesterol.com
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