Benefits of Cholesterol
Cholesterol, which is a sterol, is a waxy substance that is made in the body and provides many significant benefits. These benefits include forming the foundation of the membranes of many cells, contributing to the development of bile, which is integral to fat absorption, and being involved in the synthesis of many of the hormones secreted and used by the body. Cholesterol is dispersed throughout the body in response to damage or injury to the walls of arteries and other blood vessels. Because it is always found in high quantities in the arteries of those who have heart problems or atherosclerosis, it has a stigma of being a precursor to heart disease. Actually, it is the lifestyle (i.e. smoking, high-fat diets) that causes the problem and cholesterol in response is guilty by association.
Origins
Although other areas in the body produce cholesterol, such as the intestines, adrenal glands and reproductive organs, the majority of internal production--20 to 25 percent--comes from the liver. Cholesterol is synthesized by hepatocytes, cells of the liver. Typically, the amount manufactured by the body is sufficient for the needs of the body. However, most people tend to augment their cholesterol levels by way of the diet. Excessive consumption of cholesterol via the diet causes an overflow in the bloodstream. When the liver reaches its storage capacity for cholesterol, the excess is carried throughout the body and deposited around smooth muscle fibers in arteries. This also leads to plaque buildup.
Daily synthesis of cholesterol is directly related to the levels present in the body. The more cholesterol introduced to the body via food intake, the less the body will manufacture. Conversely, the less provided by eating, the more the body produces. One thousand milligrams is the recommended intake with a total body content of approximately 35 grams. It is also essential to note that roughly 50 percent of cholesterol excreted by the body is actually reabsorbed back into the bloodstream for recycling.
References
- Harper's Biochemistry, 24th ed. Mayes, PA. Cholesterol Synthesis, transport, and excretion. 1998
- Sports and Fitness Nutrition. Wildman, Robert and Miller, Barry. 2004
