A delicate combination of steroid and alcohol, Cholesterol, also a combination of a lipid that is found in cell membranes of all of our body tissues. Cholesterol is also transported in the blood of all animals. You might derive that the name cholestral comes from the simple combination of the words alcohol and steroid however it actually dates back to Greece, (like most everything else). First discovered in 1784, cholesterol was found in a solid form in gallstones.
Popular belief tells us that cholesterol is dietary in origin, however the truth is actually that it is synthesized internally. Cholesterol is generally present in higher concentrations in tissues which have more densely-packed membranes. Examples of tissue that have densely-packed membranes are: the liver, the spinal cord and the brain. Playing a central role in the biochemical process, cholesterol, is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease with various lipoprotein cholesterol transport patterns and high levels of cholesterol in the blood.
If high cholesterol is ever something that has been a problem for you, or you are interesting in keeping your cholesterol down here are a few simple steps that you can follow:
- If you are overweight - Lose weight
- Participate in more physical activity
- Follow a low-cholesterol, low saturated fat diet
The three steps outlined above will aid in more than just lowering your cholesterol. They will also make your heart and lungs stronger, as well eliminating excess stress that you may be putting on your body. All of these things will help you to live a healthier and longer life.