What is Cholesterol?
If you have heard of someone who has “high cholesterol,” you probably know that it is a unhealthy condition that becomes increasingly more dangerous as you get older.
But, like fat, cholesterol is misunderstood. An awareness of what cholesterol is and how it functions could help you stay healthy and even lose weight.
What are the Functions of Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat, or lipid, which is produced by the liver. It is crucial for normal body functioning and exists in the outer layer of every cell in our body. It is a waxy steroid and is transported in the blood plasma.
It builds and maintains cell membranes and prevents crystallization of hydrocarbons in the membrane, determining which molecules can pass into the cell and which cannot. It is also involved in the production of sex hormones, such as androgens and estrogens as well as hormones released by the adrenal glands – cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and many others.
It aids in bile production, converts sun rays to vitamin D, assists in the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, and insulates nerve fibers. Overall, this is a lipid that the body needs to function properly. It affects almost every system and is necessary for the production of essential hormones.
Lipoprotiens
Cholesterol is carried in the blood by molecules called lipoproteins. A lipoprotein is any complex or compound containing both lipid (fat) and protein. There are three main types of lipoproteins:
LDL (low density lipoprotein) – Often referred to as bad cholesterol, LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells. If more than the cell can use is carried, there can be a harmful buildup of LDL, which can increase the risk of arterial disease.
HDL (high density lipoprotein) – This is the good cholesterol. Experts say HDL actually works to prevent arterial disease. HDL takes the cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, which is the opposite of LDL. In the liver it is either broken down or expelled from the body as waste.
Triglycerides - They originate either from fats in our food, or are made in the body from other energy sources, such as carbohydrates. Calories we consume but are not used immediately by our tissues are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells. When your body needs energy and there is no food as an energy source, triglycerides will be released from fat cells and used as energy.
How Can I Lose Weight?
Knowing about LDL, HDL, and Triglycerides can help you lose weight because you should be aware of the types of foods you are eating. You should look foods that contain unsaturated fats.
Another way that you can reduce LDL is by taking a supplement that is high in niacin, fibrates, and statins. Some of these are also weight loss products, so you can get all the benefits of a diet pill and also contribute to your long-term health.