Cholesterol is not the evil, dietary monster it is made out to be! It is one of the most misunderstood substances on the planet, and consuming it in your diet could be lifesaving. We would not be able to survive without it because it is such a vital nutrient.
Cholesterol, located in the plasma membrane of cell walls, is an essential component of every cell in the body. It is so critical for our survival that every single cell in the body, except for brain cells, has the ability to make cholesterol (1).
Cholesterol has many uses in the body. It is the foundation of steroid hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, vitamin D, and important hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. It is essential for proper brain and nervous system function and development (1, 2)….