Cholesterol - Vital Substance

Even though, cholesterol is often portrayed as a Villain, Ironically without cholesterol there is no life on earth!    Cholesterol is essential to life. Hence, called Queen of Fats.

Cholesterol is a waxy organic chemical substance, found in all cells of the body. In 1758, French Doctor Francois Poulletier de La Salle isolated solid cholesterol from gallstones. “Cholesterol is the Greek word. "Chole" means bile, "stereos" means solid, and the chemical suffix "ol" means alcohol.”

Almost, every cell in the body can produce its own cholesterol and the production is regulated by certain proteins. However, the liver is the primary producer of the cholesterol and supply/share with other parts and organs of the body.

Please note that, Cholesterol will be produced by the body, even if you avoid the dietary Cholesterol. In other words, even if you are in completely cholesterol-free diet, the body will produce its own cholesterol about 1500 – 2000 milligrams per day for normal adult.

When we eat more (saturated) fat, our liver makes less. I.e. you are not over loading the liver. (Liver has got plenty of other task to do) but, by restricting or eliminating cholesterol, liver had to produce the cholesterol from carbohydrates thru its enzymes by thirty different complex chemical process. Which not only overburdens the liver also the (produced) cholesterol profile is much inferior.

If Cholesterol is nemesis of our health, why liver (overburdens himself and) needs to produce?  Due to the flawed research data, it projected as a deadly poison. Will see later in a separate post. Today, we will focus only the importance of this vital element.

Cholesterol is responsible for several vital biochemical processes in our body and plays an important role in order to keep us healthy. That’s why liver is working hard to produce cholesterol, even you avoid. Such “hard working” liver may end up with fatty liver or liver cirrhosis condition.

Cholesterol is a building block of cell membranes and a necessary component to synthesis hormone, bile acids, vitamin D from the sun, and playing a pivotal role in brain neuro-transmission.

Building blocks: Cholesterol is a structural component of cells. Cholesterol is necessary to form the outer coating of cells (plasma membrane) Which makes the cell waterproof (as protective barrier) so there can be a different chemistry on the inside and the outside of the cell. It also, provide rigidity and stability of the cell thus preventing membranes from freezing, shrinking and damaging.

Cholesterol is preventing the fatty acid crystallization to provide optimal temperature to maintain the desired fluidity of membranes and also prevents accumulation of phospholipids in the cell membrane.

Hormone production: Cholesterol (steroid alcohols) are vital elements to produce steroid hormones and sex hormones.

Without Cholesterol, Human sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can’t be synthesized. These hormones are vital to trigger the development of the physical traits, characteristic of adult women and men, also play an important role in reproduction.

The steroid hormones produced from cholesterol include cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol plays an important role in blood-sugar regulation and defending the body against infection and Inflammation. Aldosterone, is an important hormone to regulate the blood pressure and retaining correct salt (electrolytes) and water in the body.

Vitamin D:  According to me, Vit D is not a vitamin, it’s a hormone. Yes, it’s Hormone D!  Is a very important substance for human life and will write a separate and detailed post later. I strongly recommend to read the book "Power of Vitamin D" is written by Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi, MD,

Such important vitamin (hormone) can’t be produced without cholesterol and sunlight.  Cholesterol is the precursor of vitamin D.

Bile Production: Cholesterol is integral to the production of bile, a greenish fluid that is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Without bile body can’t digest foods that contain fat. Bile acts as an emulsifier also helps to absorb the nutrition’s and fat soluble vitamins.

Immune system: Life-saving immunoglobins are made from cholesterol! Our immune system depends on cholesterol (especially LDL-cholesterol) to fight against infections and repair functions. In other words, those who are with low blood cholesterol are prone to various infections.  Also, Cholesterol is a powerful antioxidant in the body and helps heal the damage caused by free radicals and playing an important role in the healing process of wound and inflammation.

Cholesterol is a “feel-good” substance that protects us against depression and stress. Cholesterol is vital to the function of the brain, nervous system and proper synthesis of neurotransmitters, which is essential for propagation of nerve impulses through neurons.

Such a vital substance was wrongly associated with heart diseases, by misguided theories about cholesterol, and  the flawed research data’s which supported / backed up by Medical associations, Pharma, food industry in order to protect their business interest. Unfortunately, the Government also blindly supported such cholesterol guidelines is a shame!

If cholesterol is harmful to body, why does it produce? Body produces the cholesterol to clog up its own arteries? This would be against Natural Law and survival of the Species.

Finally, I end this topic with a Quote from Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of USA………

“If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny”