All You Need To Know About Cholestrol
Cholesterol,
from the Greek chole- (bile) and stereos (solid) followed by the chemical
suffix -ol for an alcohol, is an organic chemical substance classified as a
waxy steroid of fat. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell
membranes and is required to establish proper membrane permeability and
fluidity.
In addition
to its importance within cells, cholesterol also serves as a precursor for the
biosynthesis of steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D. Cholesterol is the
principal sterol synthesized by animals; in vertebrates it is formed
predominantly in the liver. Small quantities are synthesized in other cellular
organisms (eukaryotes) such as plants and fungi. It is almost completely absent
among prokaryotes (i.e., bacteria).
Although
cholesterol is important and necessary for human health, high levels of
cholesterol in the blood have been linked to damage to arteries and cardiovascular
disease.
SOURCE
Bitter Melon supports healthy levels of cholesterol, as it contains several active compounds called bitters (especially charantin and momordicin), vicine and a polypeptide (p-insulin)
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