Tag: Endogenous cholesterol

Did you know your liver makes about 80% of the cholesterol your body needs to stay healthy? This essential molecule is not merely a fat-like substance but a crucial precursor used to synthesize vital components like steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. This guide will explore the fundamental biological functions of cholesterol, dispelling common misconceptions about its role.

Over 95 million American adults have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 mg/dl or higher, yet most of this cholesterol doesn't come directly from food. Contrary to popular belief, your body is a highly efficient cholesterol-producing factory, and its primary production facility is the liver.

According to the American Heart Association, most of the cholesterol in your blood is made by your liver, not from the foods you eat. Understanding how cholesterol enters your body involves two distinct but interconnected pathways: endogenous production and exogenous absorption.

Did you know that the liver and intestines produce all the cholesterol your body requires to function properly, rendering dietary intake unnecessary? The critical question, "Do we need to ingest cholesterol?" is often misunderstood due to decades of evolving nutritional science and focus on the wrong dietary components.