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The National Institutes of Health says that cholesterol is a white, waxy substance necessary for optimal health. While an excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to heart disease, moderate amounts benefit cells, memory and more.
Sources
Cholesterol comes from two main sources. It is made naturally in the liver, which produces about two-thirds of the total cholesterol found in the body, and it can be obtained through diet. Dietary forms of cholesterol can be found in animal products such as meat, cheese and eggs.
Cell membranes
Cholesterol is necessary for maintaining and repairing cell membranes.
Vitamin D
Cholesterol is responsible for helping to manufacture vitamin D on the skin's surface.
Hormone production
Cholesterol assists with the production of hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen.
Cell communication
A study in the "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology" journal of the American Heart Association shows that cholesterol may be helpful in aiding cell connections in the brain that affect learning and memory.
Muscle production
Researchers at Texas A&M found that people with higher levels of cholesterol were able to gain more muscle strength through exercise than people with lower levels.
Source:
HealthCentral.com: An Introduction to Cholesterol
Texas A&M: Surprise - Cholesterol May Actually Pose Benefits, Study Shows
More Information:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Lipids and Membrane Structure
Medical News Today: Low "Good" HDL Cholesterol Linked To Memory Decline
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