Cholesterol

From Health Encyclopedia

Contents 1 Broader Terms 2 Narrower Terms 3 Related Terms 4 Scope Note 5 Facts

Broader Terms

cholestane compound

Narrower Terms

cholesterol oxide, hydroxycholesterol

Related Terms

blood lipid, dietary lipid

Scope Note

C27H46O, the major fatty steroid alcohol of vertebrate animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.

Facts

• Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is found in all cells of the body and found naturally in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy.
• Most cholesterol is LDL cholesterol, and this is the kind that's most likely to clog the blood vessels, keeping blood from flowing through the body the way it should.
• Why is a high cholesterol level unhealthy? While some cholesterol is needed for good health, too much cholesterol in your blood can raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
• Cholesterol is present in animal foods but not plant foods.
• The body makes enough cholesterol to meet its needs.
• Cholesterol is used in the manufacture of hormones, bile acid, and vitamin D.
• Cholesterol is present in all parts of the body, including the nervous system, muscle, skin, liver, intestines, and heart.

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