Cholesterol Pt 1

Despite what you may read in the mainstream press, Cholesterol is not some evil monster that you have to avoid or else you will drop down dead. In fact Cholesterol is in fact essential to our well being. 

So exactly what is cholesterol and what role does it play in heart disease. Well, over a series of posts I will introduce you to all of the main players in the supposed cholesterol problem. Let's start with just a simple look at exactly what Cholesterol is.

The word "cholesterol" comes from the Greek word chole, meaning "bile", and the Greek word stereos, meaning "solid, stiff", and it is a waxy, lipid gracing every cell’s membrane and our blood plasma. It is made out of a molecule called acetyl Co A that is derived from the breakdown of sugars, fats and proteins.
It's functions include:

• It builds and maintains cell membranes (outer layer), it prevents crystallization of hydrocarbons in the membrane
• It is essential for determining which molecules can pass into the cell and which cannot (cell membrane permeability)
• It is involved in the production of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens)
• It is essential for the production of hormones released by the adrenal glands (cortisol, corticosterone, aldosterone, and others)
• It aids in the production of bile
• It converts sunshine to vitamin D
• It is important for the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K
• It insulates nerve fibers

Each day your liver produces some 1000-1400mg of Cholesterol. However, in another example of the genius of our bodies, our liver's production of Cholesterol is linked with our dietary intake of Cholesterol. Eat more and the liver will produce less, eat less and the liver will produce more.

So far it doesn't sound too bad does it? Let's have a look at some  abbreviations you've probably herd related to Cholesterol.

Cholesterol is carried in the blood by molecules called lipoproteins. A lipoprotein is any complex or compound containing both lipid (fat) and protein. The three main types are:

• LDL (low density lipoprotein) - Often called the bad cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol from the liver to cells.
• HDL (high density lipoprotein) - Often refer to as the good cholesterol.  HDL does the opposite of LDL - HDL takes the cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver. In the liver it is either broken down or expelled from the body as waste.
• Triglycerides - these are the chemical forms in which most fat exists in the body, as well as in food. They are present in blood plasma. Triglycerides, in association with cholesterol, form the plasma lipids (blood fat). A high triglyceride level, which is fueled by a high carb diet, is very often a marker for other problems in the body, particularly insulin resistance and inflammation  High levels are often seen with low HDL cholesterol.

We'll pause here to let all that sink in. Have a look at this video from the Mercola institute to wet your appetite for the future posts.