Techlifereviews: Cholesterol effect on body systems

Cholesterol effect on body systems: Cholesterol is a waxy substance usually found in the blood and in cells, it is majorly produced by the liver in the body with the minor quantity ingested from foods we eat. A large concentration of cholesterol (Lipoproteins) in the blood has an adverse effect on the body, it build up in the arteries and form fatty, waxy deposits called plaques. You shouldn’t get me wrong, I never said cholesterol is bad, the body needs some of it to make hormones, vitamin D and digestives fluids.

Cholesterol naturally comes in two forms in the body; the first, Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the bad guy, it build up to block the arteries while the second, High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is considered good because it helps to transport excess cholesterol out of the arteries to the liver which eventually helps to remove them.

Below are some effect of cholesterol on the body systems;

On Cardiovascular and circulatory system

With too much LDL cholesterol in the body, it block the arteries which make it becomes less flexible, this hinders effective and efficient performance of the arteries. The heart has to work harder to push blood through the almost blocked or hardened arteries leading to heart diseases on a long run and if the process developed in any of the cerebral arteries, then a stroke is inevitable.

On Endocrine system

The hormone-producing glands in the body utilizes cholesterol to produce hormones useful for proper functioning of various body organs. Some of the hormone produced with the help of cholesterol include; Estrogen, Testosterone and cortisol, all these hormones when produced has an effect on the body’s cholesterol level. A reduction in the production of such hormones drastically increases the cholesterol level while an increase in its production reduces the cholesterol level.

On Nervous system

It is a fact that the brain contains about 25% of the whole body’s cholesterol supply, this is because cholesterol is an essential component of the brain, and it helps in the development and protection of the nerve cells within the brain enabling better communication with the other body parts. It is also essential to note that too much of cholesterol can also have adverse effect on the brain leading to loss of memory, stroke and swallowing/speech malfunction.

On Digestive system

Cholesterol is also very mandatory in the production of bile which helps to break down foods substances in the intestine, but again, too much cholesterol in the bile forms crystals –a form of gallstones- in the gallbladder.

It is of topmost importance to know and regularly check your cholesterol level using the recommended blood tests, this will help to keep tab on things you consume, also, it will reduce the risk of high cholesterol induced diseases and finally, it will help to increase your overall well-being.