What Does Cholesterol Do?

In this Article, What Does Cholesterol Do? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that is vital to humans because it fulfills important functions throughout the organism.


What Does Cholesterol Do?

Cholesterol is e.g. significantly involved in the construction of the cell membrane and in many metabolic processes of the brain. At the same time, cholesterol in the body is an important source for the production of bile acids for fat digestion, as well as for the production of vitamin D and certain hormones (e.g., estrogenic, testosterone and cortisol, which acts as a stress hormone and is essential for many bodily functions).


Most of the Cholesterol is produced by the Body Itself

The daily required an amount of cholesterol from half a gram to one gram, the human body can produce about 90 percent themselves: About three-quarters of cholesterol are self-produced, especially in the liver. On the other hand, only a quarter of total cholesterol is ingested with food. In this respect, a change in diet can influence the level of cholesterol, albeit only to a limited extent. There are various therapeutic approaches for the various possible causes that cause elevated cholesterol levels.

Good and Bad Cholesterol

So that cholesterol can be transported in the blood, the fat-like and thus water-insoluble substance (a so-called lipid) combines with water-soluble proteins. The lipoproteins thus formed fulfill various tasks in the body.

Depending on their lipid or protein content, they are classified according to their different densities in very-low-density (VLDL), low-density (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The VLDL is a precursor to the LDL. Due to its high lipid content, LDL is also referred to as "bad" cholesterol, and HDL is called "good cholesterol" because of its lower content.

The Higher the Lipid Content, the More Damaging to Your Health

What Does Cholesterol Do?

The higher the lipid content in cholesterol, the lower the density and the more harmful the compound. For example, VLDL has a total lipid content (cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids) of about 85%, LDL of about 75% and HDL of more than 50%. Accordingly, VLDL and LDL cholesterol are particularly unhealthy for the body. High (V) LDL and i.e. High total cholesterol also carries the risk of deposits in the vessel walls (see Fig. right vessel) and thus for a stronger arteriosclerosis with its health effects. By contrast, high HDL values or a good ratio between total LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. However, the extent or consequences of unfavorable cholesterol levels are individually different and can only be determined in the context of a comprehensive blood and vascular check or a complete check of your body.

Despite high cholesterol, some people still have good blood vessels and therefore a low risk of heart attack or stroke. Cholesterol levels do not have to be lowered then. Other people suffer despite a small increase in cholesterol already in massive deposits and calcification of the veins. In these cases, there is a high risk of having a heart attack or stroke, even with only slightly elevated cholesterol due to arteriosclerosis. Therefore, it is necessary to lower the cholesterol values from a slightly elevated range to a good to very good range in patients with arteriosclerosis. For example, for very high-risk patients, LDL levels should be reduced below 70 mg / LD. What procedure is recommended in your individual case, we determine together with you after extensive examinations of the vessels and the heart in our cholesterol consultation.

As Little LDL as Possible, as Much HDL as Possible

The more cholesterol circulates in the veins in the form of LDL, the more cholesterol can adhere to the vessel walls. Such fatty deposits are the beginning of increasing arteriosclerosis (arteriosclerosis). Therefore, the higher the LDL cholesterol level, the higher the risk of developing cardiovascular disease as a result of arteriosclerosis.

The "good cholesterol" HDL is the antagonist of LDL. The HDL particles collect the cholesterol deposited on the vessel walls and transport it back to the liver. There it is again packaged in lipoproteins or converted into other substances, for example, bile acids, which are released into the intestine. A high HDL level means that the wires are well cleaned of deposits. HDL thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and can also keep elevated levels of LDL to some extent in check. HDL cholesterol should be as high as possible.

However, in recent years, experts have come to believe that the most important goal is to lower LDL cholesterol. It even goes so far that the determination of the LDL / HDL quotient of some specialists for lipid metabolism disorders is considered outdated and unnecessary.

Triglycerides also affect Health

The so-called triglycerides belong to the blood lipids. They consist of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids (so-called neutral fats), are taken with the food and split in the small intestine. In the liver, the body can also produce triglycerides themselves: from there they pass as VLDL (very low-density lipoprotein) bodies through the blood to the organs.

Like cholesterol, triglycerides basically fulfill important tasks in the body: they are stored in the fatty tissue as an energy reserve (about eight kilograms for a person of 80 kilograms). Furthermore, they have the task to isolate the body against cold and to protect the organs from pressure. Therefore, the internal organs such as the kidneys are embedded in fatty tissue.

Increased triglyceride levels - and this has now been scientifically proven - represent an equally high risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high cholesterol, as they also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and its secondary diseases. Especially in combination with low HDL levels, increased triglyceride levels are problematic. The treatment of too high triglycerides is successful with medication only to a limited extent. The focus is on dietary measures.

 By the way: If the triglyceride level drops as a result of a corresponding diet change, the total cholesterol will also be lower and the ratio of HDL to LDL will improve.



Treating high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides requires a lot of experience and a decision for or against medication is only possible if the individual risk of heart attack and stroke has been determined. 

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