Cholesterol is a type of fat included, this substance is one of the fat component itself. The presence of fat in our body itself actually has a function as a nutrient that is needed by the body in addition to other nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Fats are energy reserves that contributes the highest calories. Often cholesterol is a scourge and are often discussed as a source of degenerative health problems today. However, that does not mean cholesterol does not have the function of the human body.
In various metabolic processes of the body, cholesterol is also taking an important role include:
1. The process of formation of cells in the body, fat acts as forming the walls of the cell.
2. It takes the basic material for the formation of steroid hormones.
3. Make bile acids to the fat emulsion.
4. needed to make vitamin D and also serves as an ingredient for making hormones - sex hormones and corticosteroids.
Mechanism of Cholesterol
Cholesterol itself is actually a fat that is not very soluble in the blood. Because it is not very soluble in the blood, cholesterol need help to be able to circulate in the blood vessels of the body. Cholesterol in the blood will be bound to a 'vehicle' called lipoproteins that can help cholesterol to circulate in the blood vessels of the body
In addition to its own production of the body, the body also get cholesterol from the foods we consume daily, especially from the yolks, shellfish such as shrimp, crab, offal (intestines, tripe, liver, spleen, brain, kidney, and heart) and foods derived from milk (butter, cheese).
Cholesterol is produced in the liver of about 1 g / day, and also the small intestine will then circulate in the blood. In the blood content, cholesterol lipoprotein bound by a substance, the substance consists of:
1. chylomicrons, is a substance that has the function of bringing the energy in the form of fat to muscle.
2. VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoprotein), a substance that serves to bring the cholesterol that has been issued by the liver to muscle tissue to be stored as energy reserves.
3. LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein),
4. IDL (Intermediate Low Density Lipoprotein), and
5. HDL (High Density Lipoprotein).
But unfortunately, in carrying out its functions, cholesterol which has a lower density protein (VLDL, ILDL, LDL) easy to stick to the walls of the coronary arteries, causing plaque (fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels is familiarly called atherosclerotic plaque).
If the blood vessel is blocked by fatty deposits, then the impact is far include stroke, heart attack, and other leading fatal to the human body. Therefore LDL familiar today known as bad cholesterol designation.
While HDL cholesterol is capturing being in a free state in the blood vessels for later carried into the liver for further processing. Therefore, HDL cholesterol familiar regarded as good.
Indeed, we need the cholesterol normally produced by the body has the right amount. However, along with the arbitrariness of existing diet, amount far in excess of that required by the body simply.
The emergence of the amount of cholesterol is too high, which are caused by too excessive intake of foods derived from animal fats, eggs and as well as foods that are today referred to as junk food.
It is important to know more about the existence of the character of each lipoprotein that is to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle that allows us to control and manage the health status of our body.
