A little cholesterol helps your body function normally

I go for medical check up at least twice every year when I can afford to because of the nature of my size. The last time I went to see my doctor every thing was well, but then what surprises me is that every time I claim to be hungry people look at me with the eyes that suggest I should not eat. Why should I not I ask some lady friend one day, your cholesterol is just too high look at your body size, she told me, what is wrong with it? I asked back. You are overweight so you should not eat to reduce the cholesterol in your body she continued saying. The last time I checked with my doctor my so called cholesterol was normal and also corrected her that I am not overweight but mother nature provided my family with good genes I said. I must confess that this lady is not the first person to tell me such a thing. Many people, who see me for the first time, look at my size and judge for themselves that cholesterol is just too high in my body, but what most people are not aware about is that the size of one’s body does not always mean that cholesterol is on the higher side, and as much as too much cholesterol in the body is harmful- also every human being need to have some cholesterol in their bodies for it to be able to function normally. Starving one self to rid the body of all cholesterol can prove to be equally dangerous as well. Well, first of all do people know what cholesterol is? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is made in the body by the liver. Cholesterol forms part of every cell in the body and serves many vital functions. Cholesterol is found naturally in the tissues of both plants and animals, though only animals have cholesterol. Your body manufactures much of the cholesterol it needs in the liver, with much smaller amounts produced in the small intestine and in individual cells throughout your body. Did you also know that in order for a body to function well some cholesterol is needed? Yes, cholesterol performs several important functions in the body. Perhaps the most important of these is its role in forming and maintaining cell walls and structures. Cells also need cholesterol to help them adjust to changes in temperature, and its used by nerve cells for insulation. Additionally, cholesterol is essential for synthesizing a number of critical hormones, including the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Bile, a fluid produced by the liver, plays a vital role in the processing and digestion of fats. To make bile, the liver uses cholesterol. Your body also needs cholesterol to make vitamin D; in the presence of sunlight, cholesterol is converted into vitamin D.In as much as we are told too much cholesterol is harmful to our health posing the danger of one suffering from heart disease, it is also important to know that the body will not function properly if it is rid of all the cholesterol needed. Next time you see an adult friend working hard to look like a nine year old girl, in the name of ridding her body of all cholesterol, give her a piece of advice so that she can understand that normal cholesterol level is needed in a body so that it can function as it should. kayitesius@yahoo.com

Lifestyle

A little cholesterol helps your body function normally