What is cholesterol? Types of cholesterol, the role of cholesterol in the body

To help the body function properly, normally must have the help of cholesterol because this is an essential substance that every cell in the body needs, from biochemical processes to the functioning of the heart.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is the fat your body needs to function . It is found in foods such as animal fat, meat, eggs, milk, butter, animal organs… even formed in your liver. Cholesterol helps in the functioning of nerve fiber cells , as well as in the production of certain hormones to help the human body function normally and stay healthy.

The main property of cholesterol is that it is poorly soluble in water , although it cannot move freely in the blood, it is transported in the blood by water-soluble “molecular suitcases” and carries cholesterol and fat inside. Cholesterol is an indispensable substance in the human body, in humans, cholesterol levels are always stable, but if it is too high, there is a risk of disease.

Types of Cholesterol

There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL (bad cholesterol) and HDL (good cholesterol).

LDL aka Bad Cholesterol (bad fat)

LDL stands for low density lipoprotein cholesterol which means low density lipoprotein cholesterol. LDL helps in the transport of most of the body’s cholesterol, however, if this substance is too much in the blood, it will cause fat deposition, causing atherosclerosis, which is also the main cause of heart disease such as heart disease. : heart attack, stroke.

In adults, the LDL level of normal people when conducting blood tests, an LDL level < 100 mg/dL is considered normal, but a range of 130 – 159 mg/dL is in the upper limit, 160 – 189 mg/dL. dL is high and 190 mg/dL or higher is very high. For children, the normal range is < 110 mg/dL, the upper limit is 110 – 129 mg/dL, and 130 mg/dL or more is high.

HDL aka good cholesterol (good fat)

HDL stands for English (high density lipoprotein cholesterol ): high density lipoprotein cholesterol, the function of this substance is to remove excess cholesterol from the blood and prevent them from entering the artery wall to protect the artery wall from causative agents of arteriosclerosis.

The normal range of HDL-Cholesterol in the blood is normally around 40-50 mg/dL (1.0-1.3 mmol/L) in men and around 50-59 mg/dl (1.3-1.5 mmol/L) in women.

The role of cholesterol in the body

According to Specialist II Ho Viet Le Diem – General Internal Medicine – Department of Examination & Internal Medicine – Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital, cholesterol has many effects on the body:

Hormone production

Cholesterol is used to produce steroid hormones necessary for the body’s normal growth and functioning. Include:

– Sex hormones: Estrogen and progesterone in women, testosterone in men.

Cortisol – a hormone involved in regulating blood sugar levels and protecting the body against infections.

Aldosterone: It is very important to keep salt and water in the body.

Make vitamin EASY

Two important vitamins D2 and D3 are steroid derivatives, which are synthesized from cholesterol sources, when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

AIDS digestion

Cholesterol is used by the liver to make bile, which helps digest fatty foods, and helps the body absorb it. Bile also helps absorb vitamins A, D, E and K and water-soluble vitamins.

Structural components of cells

Cholesterol together with polar lipids gives structure to all cells in the body. It’s basically the cell’s protective barrier.

In many nerve cells, holesterol also plays an essential role in the formation of the myelin sheath, which helps to “isolate” the transmission of nerve impulses more effectively.

Impact on the immune system

Cholesterol helps the immune system function properly. Immune cells rely on cholesterol to fight infections and repair themselves.

In addition, LDL cholesterol directly binds and inactivates dangerous bacterial toxins, preventing them from causing damage in the body. When the body is injured or infected, bad cholesterol increases in response to viral or bacterial attacks.

Therefore, people with low blood cholesterol are more susceptible to infections.

Antioxidants

Cholesterol acts as an antioxidant in the body. Excess free radicals in the body produced from wounds must be neutralized and cholesterol performs this function.

Cholesterol for pregnant women

Studies show that having a healthy pregnancy can also lead to higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels, including both HDL and LDL.

The reason is, the hormones will stimulate the liver to increase cholesterol production to stimulate cell membranes, hormones, etc., which are essential for the healthy development of the fetus.

If the blood test shows that the cholesterol level is slightly higher than normal, the pregnant woman should not be too worried . But if this level is too high, pregnant women will need to change their lifestyle, diet or take medication if necessary, according to the advice of a doctor.

Good source of cholesterol for the body

The liver produces about 1000 milligrams of cholesterol per day, with the rest coming from food.

Egg yolks, cattle and poultry meat, seafood…

Milk and dairy products such as cheese, ice cream, etc.

See also: Foods high in cholesterol you should limit.

Source: Vinmec

So, through this article, you already know what cholesterol is, right? Cholesterol is not completely bad but on the contrary is very necessary for the body. Importantly, it is necessary to adjust the diet and lifestyle to regulate the amount of cholesterol in the body, increase the good cholesterol and reduce the bad cholesterol, making the body healthier.

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