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Cholesterol

    Cholesterol Editor's Picks

    • Causes of Cholesterol Problems

      Cholesterol problems are a common issue that plague thousands of people. High cholesterol is known to cause heart disease, stroke, circulatory problems and other healthy issues. Less is known about low cholesterol, but it has been linked to certain types of cancer and depression. Causes of cholesterol problems include genetics, diet,... more »

    • About Cholesterol Medication

      A healthy and nutritious diet in combination with a weekly fitness routine consisting of cardiovascular exercise and strength training can help to maintain a healthy heart and keep your cholesterol in check. But sometimes diet and exercise are just not enough, and a cholesterol medication may be in order. These medications are... more »

    • About LDL Cholesterol

      Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, carries cholesterol through the human bloodstream. As its name implies, low-density lipoprotein is unwieldy and our bodies have difficulty moving it around. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of arteries leading to the heart and brain. As LDL... more »

    • About Cholesterol Levels

      Cholesterol is an important substance that is crucial to many biochemical processes in your body,including synthesis of several hormones, homeostasis and membrane transport. In principle, your liver can produce all the cholesterol your body needs.
      Your body gets additional cholesterol when you eat foods containing cholesterol such... more »

    • How to Reduce Cholesterol

      Cholesterol is a substance in your bloodstream that can line artery walls and cause blockages if your level is too high. This can lead to a heart attack. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your cholesterol level. Most can be done on your own, although if you need medication, you will have to get a prescription. If you get your... more »

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    Cholesterol

    | ChemSpiderID 5775
    | PubChem5997
    | SMILESCC(C)CCCC(C)C1CCC2C1 (CCC3C2CCC4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C
    }}
    | Section2
    | Density 1.052 g/cm3
    | MeltingPt148–150 °CMSDS/>
    | BoilingPt360 °C (decomposes)
    | Solubility0.095 mg/L (30 °C)
    | SolubleOther soluble in acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, ether, hexane, isopropyl myristate, methanol
    }}
    | Section7
    }}

    Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy steroid found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma of all animals."Cholesterol"> It is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes, where it is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition, cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the biosynthesis of bile acids, steroid hormones, and several fat-soluble vitamins. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals, but small quantities are synthesized in other eukaryotes, such as plants and fungi. It is almost completely absent among prokaryotes, which include bacteria."pmid14660793">

    The name cholesterol originates from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid), and the chemical suffix -ol for an alcohol, as François Poulletier de la Salle first identified cholesterol in solid form in gallstones, in 1769. However, it was only in 1815 that chemist Eugène Chevreul named the compound "cholesterine"."pmid9478044">

    Physiology
    Overview
    Since cholesterol is essential for all animal life, it is primarily synthesized from simpler substances within the body. However, high levels in blood circulation, depending on how it is transported within lipoproteins, are strongly associated with progression of atherosclerosis. For a person of about 68 kg (150 pounds), typical total body cholesterol synthesis is about 1 g (1,000 mg) per day, and total body content is about 35 g. Typical daily additional dietary intake, in the United States and societies with similar dietary patterns, is 200–300&n read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholesterol

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