Worried About Cholesterol? Here’s Why Your Body Actually Needs It

Cholesterol is something many people have heard about, and often, it’s talked about in a negative way. We’ve been told that too much cholesterol is bad for us, especially for our heart. But did you know that cholesterol is actually very important for our health? Our bodies need it to function properly. In fact, without cholesterol, we wouldn’t be able to survive. It plays a role in everything from helping us digest food to producing important hormones.

I would like to touch on how cholesterol works in our bodies and why it isn’t as bad as many people think. I'd also like to talk about how cholesterol impacts our blood sugar, helps with fat loss, and supports heart health. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of cholesterol and why it’s not something to be feared, but rather something to be balanced.

Cholesterol is Essential for the Body

When people hear the word “cholesterol,” they often think of it as something harmful. But in reality, cholesterol is a type of fat that is crucial for many bodily functions. Our bodies produce cholesterol naturally in the liver, and we also get some from the foods we eat, like eggs, dairy products, and meat. However, not all cholesterol is the same, and this is where some of the confusion comes from.

Types of Cholesterol: HDL and LDL (but not the only ones)

The two main types of cholesterol that the general public know about: HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein). You might have heard HDL being called the “good” cholesterol and LDL the “bad” cholesterol. HDL helps carry cholesterol to the liver, where it’s removed from the body. This is important because too much cholesterol floating around in the bloodstream can cause problems. On the other hand, LDL carries cholesterol to different parts of the body, but if there’s too much of it, it can build up in the arteries, which can lead to heart problems over time. One thing to keep in mind is that these lipoproteins are just that proteins. Think of them more like taxis that carry fat around the blood, but not fat themselves.

The book "The great cholesterol con" written by Dr Malcolm Kendrick does a much better at going through these if you want to know more ( and why wouldn't you)

Why We Need Cholesterol

So, why do we need cholesterol? For one, it’s a building block for cells. Cholesterol helps form the outer layer of cells, which protects them and allows them to function. It’s also necessary for making hormones like estrogen and testosterone, which are important for things like growth, reproduction, and overall health. Additionally, cholesterol helps produce vitamin D, (a hormone) which is essential for strong bones, and bile, which aids in digestion by breaking down fats in the food we eat.

Without cholesterol, these important processes wouldn’t happen, and our bodies wouldn’t function properly. The key to good health isn’t about eliminating cholesterol—it’s about maintaining the right balance.

Cholesterol's Impact on Blood Sugar and Fat Loss

Another surprising fact is that cholesterol can actually play a role in managing blood sugar levels and supporting fat loss. Most people don’t connect cholesterol with these things, but the body is a complex system where many processes are linked together.

Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

Blood sugar, or glucose, is the body’s main source of energy. It’s important to keep blood sugar levels steady, especially for people with conditions like diabetes. Recent studies have shown that healthy levels of HDL cholesterol may help regulate blood sugar levels. HDL can improve how well the body uses insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels. When insulin works properly, it helps cells absorb glucose from the blood to use as energy. If insulin doesn’t work as it should, blood sugar levels can spike, leading to health issues.

By supporting insulin function, good cholesterol (HDL) helps keep blood sugar in check. This means that having the right balance of cholesterol in your body may lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Cholesterol and Fat Loss

Now, let’s talk about fat loss. You might wonder how cholesterol, a type of fat, can help with fat loss. The answer lies in the way our bodies use fat for energy. When we eat food, our bodies either burn the fat for energy or create it for later use. Cholesterol helps the body break down fats and turn them into energy, especially during times when we aren’t eating, like during a fast or while we sleep.

Moreover, cholesterol is involved in creating hormones that influence how the body stores and uses fat. For example, the hormone cortisol, which helps manage stress, also affects how fat is distributed in the body. Keeping cholesterol levels balanced ensures that these hormones work properly, which can support healthy fat loss. In simple terms, cholesterol helps the body burn fat more effectively.

Big Idea 3: Cholesterol and Heart Health

One of the most common concerns about cholesterol is its link to heart disease. It’s true that too much of the wrong kind of cholesterol, specifically LDL, can lead to heart problems. But it’s important to understand that cholesterol itself isn’t the enemy it’s about having too much or too little of certain types of cholesterol.

Understanding Cholesterol and the Heart

If there's to much damage in the arteries and if there’s too much cholesterol in the blood. Over time, this can cause cholesterol to form plaque in the arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance that can narrow or block the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. This can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Having a diet in whole foods and making the heart work a little now and then can help prevent this from happening..

It’s also worth noting that cholesterol helps protect the heart in other ways. For example, it’s used to produce the hormone aldosterone, which regulates blood pressure. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels helps keep your heart and blood vessels in good shape.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle

What you eat can influence your cholesterol levels, but it’s not just about avoiding foods that are high in cholesterol. In fact, research now shows that eating foods like eggs, which are high in cholesterol, doesn’t necessarily raise the amount of cholesterol in your blood. This is because the body naturally balances cholesterol levels based on what it needs.

Instead, it’s more important to avoid trans fats and processed foods as much as you can. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, like those found in fish and nuts, can help keep your cholesterol in balance. Regular exercise is also key to maintaining a healthy heart and cholesterol levels.

To finish up

Cholesterol is not something to fear, but rather something to understand and manage. It plays a vital role in keeping our bodies healthy, from supporting cell function and producing hormones to aiding in digestion. In addition to these functions, cholesterol can help regulate blood sugar and even support fat loss.

When it comes to heart health, it’s important to have a balanced view of cholesterol. By focusing on a healthy lifestyle and making smart choices with our diet and exercise, we can keep cholesterol levels in a range that supports overall health.

In conclusion, cholesterol isn’t the villain it’s often made out to be. It’s a vital part of our body’s systems, and when kept in balance, it can actually improve our health in many ways. So, instead of trying to avoid cholesterol entirely, we should aim for balance and focus on living a healthy, active life.

If you have any questions please leave me a comment below. Also if you would like to understand what steps you or someone you know need to take to help prevent type 2 diabetes or if you yourself are pre-diabetes download my FREE PDF. I have 3 simple steps that you can start right now to help you. Click here