Cholesterol is, in fact, neither a fat molecule nor a wax-like substance. In blood it is embedded in fat for protection, due to which some people consider it a fatty substance. The word cholesterol originated from the Greek chol meaning ‘bile’ and steros meaning ‘solid’ and the suffix ‘ol’ for alcohol. Hence cholesterol is termed as a solid alcohol. Cholesterol cannot be classified as fat as it does not yield energy whereas fat does. Ever since it was isolated from gallstones in 1784 it has exerted almost hypnotic fascination for scientists from the most diverse areas of science and medicine. As many as 13 Nobel Prizes have been awarded to scientists devoted to its research.
It is synthesised in liver in the ratio of one gram per day or derived from high cholesterol containing diets of animal origin. Out of one gram about 0.7 to 0.8 gram is consumed and utilised by the body for the performance of various physiological functions and biochemical processes for our benefit.
Benefits of cholesterol:
— It is a crucial body component that provides rigidity to body cells
— Cholesterol is needed in the body to make sex hormones including androgen, testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone for vigour and vitality.
— It assists in proper utilisation of vitamin D which is critical for all body systems including the bones, nerves, proper growth, mineral metabolism, muscle tone, fertility and strong immunity.
— It helps the liver make bile acid, which is crucial for digestive process and absorption of dietary fats.
— It functions as a powerful antioxidant in the body and protects tissues from damage caused by free radicals.
— Cholesterol is vital for proper functioning of the brain, and is used by serotonin (body’s natural “feel good” chemical) receptors.
— Breast milk is rich in cholesterol; it is needed for proper growth and development of the brain, nervous system and immune function of babies and young children.
— It is necessary for proper functioning of the intestines and maintaining the strength of the intestinal wall. Low cholesterol diets can lead to digestive problems such as leaky gut syndrome.
— Cholesterol is critical to repair damaged cells; that is why its levels rise as we age as it may be beneficial to the elderly.
— Cholesterol is also required to build and maintain body tissues.
— It envelops and insulates nerves helping to conduct nerve impulses.
— It has also been implicated in cell signalling processes.
— In the liver cholesterol is converted into bile, which is stored in gall bladder; bile helps in the digestion of fat in the body and other important fat-soluble vitamins such A, D, E and K. Conversion of cholesterol into bile acid, however, is also an act of excretion of cholesterol as neutral sterol.
— It also elaborates hormones of adrenal cortex which regulate electrolyte balance and metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein.
While we are talking about the benefits of cholesterol let’s be clear that we are talking about natural cholesterol in whole foods in unprocessed state; oxidised cholesterol that is found in processed foods should best be avoided.
Bad and good cholesterol:
In blood, cholesterol is attached to a fatty protein called lipoprotein. When lipoprotein contains more fat and less protein it is called low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is also known as bad cholesterol as it may clog the blood vessels; but when it contains more protein and less fat it is called high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and should not clog the arteries.
Cholesterol has been depicted as evil incarnate and the cause of many ills, but it also plays an important role in body functions and maintaining a balance of hormones that are essential for life
Almost all meat and milk products contain bad cholesterol. Egg yolk contains about 550 mg of cholesterol but it is all HDL because its source is chicken which neither consumes meat nor does the meat of which contains any alarming quantity of cholesterol. Eggs also provide Vitamin D and other hormones as described above for vigour and vitality. Cholesterol is not found in vegetables; instead they contain another type of sterol called phytosterol, which may help to clear bad cholesterol from blood.
Malfunction of cholesterol:
Cholesterol is believed to be the cause of heart disease called atherosclerosis. It occurs when the normal values of cholesterol exceeds the average levels of 200 to 250 mg per decilitre. It is partly due to unregulated production of cholesterol and poor disposition and excretion, and also when the amount of cholesterol synthesised in liver and that obtained from diet exceeds the amount required for the above mentioned benefits. Deficiency of cholesterol metabolising enzymes too renders its function imperfect thereby creating a pathological condition in blood vessels. It blocks blood flow not only through arteries but also through brain, pelvis, legs, arms or kidney as well. High blood pressure, obesity, lack of exercise, genetic factors, family history and sedentary life style also adversely affect the disposition of cholesterol from the body and accumulation increases at an alarming level requiring the attention of doctor.
Precautions:
Beef and beef products particularly nihari, sri pai should be restricted.
Processed foods particularly grilled on charcoal should be avoided.
Saturated fat which is called ghee and food processed in such ghee should never be used.
Choose diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits of season.
Avoid smoking, excessive soft drink. Tension and stressful life aggravate the condition of atherosclerosis.
Signs and symptoms: cholesterol deposition.
Cholesterol may be deposited in any part of the body such as hands, elbows, knees, feet, etc. and is manifested as lumps. Yellowish patches around the eyelids are common particularly in familial hypercholesterolemia
Thus, in view of the above mentioned benefits of cholesterol any decision to completely restrict it from a healthy person’s diet can have negative consequences.
Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, October 4th, 2015
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