What Do You Know About Cholesterol?

Before we get into cholesterol deeply, let’s get to know something basic about cholesterol first.

CAS: 57–88–5

Formula: C27H46O

Molar mass: 386.654 g/mol

IUPAC ID: (3β)-cholest-5-en-3-ol

Melting point: 298.4°F (148°C)

Boiling point: 680°F (360°C)

Soluble in: Ethanol, Chloroform, Isopropyl myristate, Acetone,

Methanol, Benzene, Hexane

Appearance: White Crystalline Solid

What is Cholesterol?

So, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance. It’s not inherently “bad.” In fact, your body needs it to build cells. But too much cholesterol can pose a problem.

Cholesterol comes from two sources. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The remainder of the cholesterol in your body comes from foods derived from animals. For example, meat, poultry, and full-fat dairy products all contain cholesterol, called dietary cholesterol.

Those same foods are high in saturated and trans fats. Those fats cause your liver to make more cholesterol than it otherwise would. For some people, this added production means they go from a normal cholesterol level to one that’s unhealthy.

Some tropical oils — such as palm oil, palm kernel oil, and coconut oil — can also trigger your liver to make more cholesterol. These oils are often found in baked goods.

Functions of cholesterol in the body?

Cholesterol is essential for making the cell membrane and cell structures and is vital for the synthesis of hormones, vitamin D, and other substances.

Cell membrane synthesis — Cholesterol helps to regulate membrane fluidity over the range of physiological temperatures. It has a hydroxyl group that interacts with the polar head groups of the membrane phospholipids and sphingolipids. These exist along with the nonpolar fatty acid chain of the other lipids. Cholesterol also prevents the passage of protons (positive hydrogen ions) and sodium ions across the plasma membranes.

Cell transporters and signaling molecules — The cholesterol molecules exist as transporters and signaling molecules along the membrane. Cholesterol also helps in nerve conduction. It forms the invaginated caveolae and clathrin-coated pits, including caveola-dependent and clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Endocytosis means engulfing of foreign molecules by the cell. Cholesterols help in cell signaling by assisting in the formation of lipid rafts in the plasma membrane.

Cholesterol in the myelin sheaths — The nerve cells are covered with a protective layer of the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is rich in cholesterol. This is because it is derived from compacted layers of Schwann cell membrane. It helps in providing protection, insulation and allows more efficient conduction of nerve impulses.

Role inside the cells — Within the cells, cholesterol is the precursor molecule in several biochemical pathways. For example, in the liver, cholesterol is converted to bile, which is then stored in the gallbladder. Bile is made up of bile salts. This helps in making the fats more soluble and helps in their absorption. Bile salts also aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Hormones and Vitamin D — Cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the synthesis of Vitamin D and the steroid hormones like Corticosteroids, Sex-steroids (Sex hormones like Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone, etc.)

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