Cholesterol - Why It's Good For You
By Glenn Crumpley
You hear everywhere that you should be lowering your cholesterol level. This has led many people to believe that cholesterol is some kind of toxic substance that must be eliminated from the diet. Actually, cholesterol is not naturally toxic, and is required for good health. Before adopting an aggressive program to lower your cholesterol, you should be aware of all the good things that cholesterol does for your body. For some reason, these things are rarely discussed, even though they are known to be true.
* Building new cells
All cells of the body require cholesterol in their membranes. Because cholesterol does not dissolve in water, it prevents the cell walls from disintegrating. (1)
* Improving mental performance
Recent research shows that a previously unidentified substance secreted by the glial cells of the brain that enables effective brain function is now known to be cholesterol. (2)
* Maintaining energy, vitality, libido, and fertility
Cholesterol is the raw material required for the production of steroid hormones, including sex hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. These hormones are responsible for athletic performance, regulating blood sugar, controlling blood pressure, regulating mineral balance, maintaining libido, building muscle mass, and more. (3)
* Aiding digestion
Cholesterol is the raw material required for the production of bile. Bile is required for the digestion of fatty foods. (4)
* Building strong bones
Cholesterol is the raw material for production of vitamin D by the body. Vitamin D is produced from cholesterol through the action of sunlight on the skin. Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones, and is known to provide protection against some types of cancer. (5,6)
* Controlling your mood
Cholesterol is needed for proper functioning of serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is the "feel good" chemical of the brain. Low cholesterol levels have been linked to violent behavior, depression, and suicide. (7,8)
* Protection against infection
Low cholesterol is associated with more hospital admissions for infectious diseases. (9)
* Acts as anti-oxidant
Research shows that cholesterol acting as an anti-oxidant may explain why cholesterol levels naturally rise with age.
(1). Alberts, et al. 2002. Molecular Biology of the Cell: Fourth Edition. New York: Garland Science. p. 589F.
(2). Mauch, et al. 2004. CNS Synaptogenesis Promoted by Glia-Derived Cholesterol. Science, April 8, Vol. 42, 51-62.
(3). Harvey, et al. 2005. Biochemistry: 3rd Edition. Baltimore: Lippincott. pp. 235-238
(4). Harvey, et al. 2005. Biochemistry: 3rd Edition. Baltimore: Lippincott. pp. 222-223.
(5). Adams and Hollis. 2005. "Vitamin D: Synthesis, Metabolism, and Clinical Measurement. Disorders of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. p. 159.
(6). Champe, et al. 2005. Biochemistry: 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. p. 219.
(7). Engelberg, Hyman. 1992. Lancet. Mar 21, 339:727-728.
(8). Wood, W. G. et al. 1999. Lipids. Mar. 34(3):225-234.
(9). Iribarren, C et al. 1998. Epidemiology and Infection. 121,335-347.
Glenn Crumpley is a software engineer who became a dedicated health researcher after researching several personal health issues including diabetes, cigarette smoking, diet nutrition, and high cholesterol. The amount of information he discovered that either conflicted with generally accepted information, or was totally missing from common sources led him to create the web site http://TheMissingFacts.com The mission of the site is to provide information gathered from intensive private research that seems to be missing from the common sources relied on by the general public.
