Christian Leigh and Satya Moolani Guide to cholesterol Christian Leigh and Satya Moolani

Cholesterol Cholesterol is a lipid molecule that is biosynthesized by all animal cells because it is an essential structural component of all animal. Cholesterol has 5 major jobs: It is a critical component of the cell membrane It is a precursor to steroid hormones It is a precursor to vitamin D but requires sunlight Produces bile acids which aid the digestion and absorption of fats It is also a limiting factor for brain synapses – learning and memory

HDL HDL stands for High Density Lipoproteins It is of a larger size which means it carries more cholesterol Social Myth: It is Bad cholesterol Reality: LDL’s actually transport cholesterol to cells as necessary to function An ideal level for your LDL is less than 100 The only risk associated with this is a high LDL

LDL LDL stands for Low Density Lipoprotein LDL’s are of a smaller size which means they carry more proteins Social myth: Good cholesterol Reality: LDL’s actually remove excess cholesterol from the blood stream to the liver- and at this stage it is converted into bile acids The only risk associated with LDL’s are low HDL An ideal count for LDL’s are less than 60

bibliography New Health Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved March 08, 2016, from http://www.newhealthguide.org/Function-Of-Cholesterol.html Good vs. Bad Cholesterol. (n.d.). Retrieved March 08, 2016, from http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/ Good-vs-Bad-Cholesterol_UCM_305561_Article.jsp#.Vt87I_lViko LDL and HDL: “Bad” and “Good” Cholesterol. (2015). Retrieved March 08, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/ldl_hdl.htm