The Function of Cholesterol

While most people are familiar with the negative effects of excessive cholesterol, cholesterol, within healthy range levels, serves a vital purpose to our well-being.

Cholesterol performs various functions within our bodies:

• Cholesterol provides stability to cell membranes to enable them to selectively regulate vital substances needed for our survival to enter and exit the cell.

• Cholesterol maintains the structure of vessels; 

• Overly low cholesterol levels will suppress your immune system, making you susceptible to illnesses and diseases; 

• Cholesterol is one of the body’s natural cancer protectors; 

• Cholesterol produces hormones which assist with healing your body from injuries or infections; 

• Cholesterol acts as an insulator around nerves and protects your nervous system from disease; 

• Cholesterol is a major participant in the production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a valuable nutrient for strong bones, a robust immune and nervous system, procreation, production of insulin and creation of energy from absorbed or ingested minerals; 

• Cholesterol is imperative for your brain to function; 

• Cholesterol is influential on your memory capacity; 

• Cholesterol plays a role in hormones reaching your brain; 

• Serotonin receptors in the brain need cholesterol to function properly. Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter. Low levels of serotonin can cause depression, anxiety, mood swings, temperature regulation difficulties, loss of libido and appetite and sleep disorders; 

• Testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are produced with cholesterol. Low levels of these hormones can result in loss of sexual drive, lethargy, fatigue, hot flushes, sweating, erectile dysfunction, lean muscle mass and strength depletion, menstrual irregularities, pregnancy miscarriages and bone mineral density deficiency; 

• Cholesterol is important to steroid hormone production. There are five classes of steroid hormones: androgens (these affect maturation and function of secondary sex organs for male sexual determination); estrogens; progestins; minalocorticoids (responsible for maintaining salt and water balance); and glucocoticoids (they increase stress resistance); 

• A healthy level of cholesterol is required for digestion. Cholesterol is eliminated from the liver through bile. Through this process, bile salts are manufactured which aid in absorption of the food we consume. A lack of bile will induce digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea; 

• Cholesterol strengthens intestinal walls; 

• The insulin hormone, which is related to your blood sugar levels, is made from cholesterol; 

• Lower than normal cholesterol levels may accelerate signs of ageing. Together with this drawback, age-related diseases may manifest themselves at an earlier age. A finding published in the American Journal of Medicine over twenty years ago showed that risks for an early death increased if cholesterol levels are too low; 

• Studies reveal there may be an association between Parkinson’s disease and low cholesterol levels; 

• People with kidney dysfunction are at an increased to risk to succumb if they have low cholesterol levels. 

Cholesterol is naturally formed in the body that is beneficial in many ways to our survival.

To attempt to reduce your cholesterol level to such a degree that it cannot carry out its purposes may be dangerous to your health.