Human body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease.
Cholesterol is an amphipathic sterol present in higher animals. It’s a waxy lipid and distributed in body tissues. Cholesterol can be toxic in the form of polar lipid. Its molecular formula is C27H46O and molecular weight is 386.65354.
Every cell in the body needs cholesterol, which helps the cell membranes form the layers. These layers protect the contents of the cell by acting as the gatekeeper to what things can enter or leave the cell.
The body uses cholesterol to make hormones, bile acids, vitamin D, and other substances. Metabolites of cholesterol viz. bile salts, steroid hormones and oxysterols, fulfill important biological functions.
Cholesterol travels within the body by forming a complex with some proteins which are termed as lipoproteins. These lipoproteins include:
*Low density lipoprotein, or LDL (bad cholesterol)
*High density lipoprotein, or HDL (good cholesterol)
*Very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
With high cholesterol, it can develop fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Over time, this builds up and is called plaque. The plaque can narrow vessels and make them less flexible. This buildup of plaque is known as atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries.” It can lead to coronary artery disease, where your coronary arteries become narrow or even blocked.
High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases the chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher blood cholesterol level, the greater risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.
If body cholesterol levels are high, the condition is called hypercholesterolemia. If cholesterol levels are low, the condition is called hypocholesterolemia.
Total cholesterol levels under 200 mg/dl are healthy for adults. Doctors treat readings of 200–239 mg/dl as borderline high, and readings of at least 240 mg/dl as high.
What food causes high cholesterol? Full-fat dairy. Whole milk, butter and full-fat yogurt and cheese; Red meat- Steak, beef roast, ribs, pork chops and ground beef; Processed meat; Fried foods; Baked goods and sweets; Eggs; Shellfish; Lean meat.
Cholesterol in human body
