The Importance of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is essential to life. Cholesterol is the primary component in the make up of all cells, it helps develop the membranes. Cholesterol is made or synthesized into bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D for the body. Cholesterol is also a source of energy for you body.
There are two ways different tests to measure cholesterol levels. The simplest measures the total amount of cholesterol being carried within the blood. The second test measures how much cholesterol is carried by the LDLs. People use these to determine if they have high cholesterol or not.
Characteristics of Cholesterol
Cholesterol is insoluble in blood and it must be attached to LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) to move about in the bloodstream outside of the cell. In its pure state it is a white, crystalline substance that is odorless and tasteless. Cholesterol is found in every living thing, but mostly in animal fats.
Cholesterol is an organic compound that belongs to the steroid family. Cholesterol is soluble in water and it reacts with drugs that are made specifically to cut down on the cholesterol in one's body (types unknown).