All animals synthesize a waxy substance called cholesterol and they may also acquire it through the diet. Cholesterol performs a variety of essential functions in animal cells such as building cell walls. Most people in the United States have more cholesterol than they need for optimum health. Excess cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and doctors frequently recommend their patients follow a low-fat diet to reduce their cholesterol level.
Step 1
Study the physical properties of cholesterol. It molecular formula is C27H46O and it's a white solid at room temperature. Cholesterol melts at 150 degrees Celsius and decomposes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. It's slightly soluble in water but highly soluble in ethanol, methanol and acetone.
Step 2
Consider the sources of cholesterol in the body. A 150-lb. adult will normally synthesize about 1,000 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol each day. The American Heart Association recommends that you limit your dietary intake of cholesterol to 300 milligrams per day if you're generally healthy and 200 mg per day if you have a predisposition to heart disease.
Step 3
Examine the function of cholesterol in the body. The most well-known physiological function of cholesterol is the ability to control the fluidity of the cell membranes. Cholesterol also increases the efficiency with which neurons conduct neural impulses and it's also used to synthesize lipids in the plasma membrane.
Step 4
Observe the effect of cholesterol on arteriosclerosis. This condition occurs when fatty materials such as cholesterol accumulate on the inner walls of the arteries. This constricts the arteries and may even block them in severe cases. Arteriosclerosis can lead to high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks.
Step 5
Look at low-cholesterol diets. A low-cholesterol diet requires you to carefully monitor your intake of animal fats since this is the only dietary source of cholesterol. Fats should provide no more than 35 percent of your total caloric intake and saturated fats shouldn't provide more than 7 percent of your total caloric intake.
