Cholesterol

 

Cholesterol is a substance made in the liver that is vital to human life.  It performs several vital functions. Your body needs it to produce certain hormones and tissues. It is needed to make the walls surrounding the body's cells, and is the basic material that is converted to certain hormones.

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Most importantly, cholesterol is essential for brain function, as it plays a critical role in the structure and communication of brain cells.

Do you know which part of the body has the highest concentration of cholesterol? Your brain! Your brain accounts for only 2% of your body’s weight, but it contains 20% of your cholesterol. Cholesterol in the brain is involved in the communication process for neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. It makes up the majority of myelin, the white fatty sheath that provides a protective coating on neurons to increase the brain’s processing speed. And they play a role in the development of “lipid rafts,” membranes that are involved in brain cell signaling. Approximately 60% of the solid weight of the brain is fat, so you need healthy levels of cholesterol for optimal function. A deficiency in cholesterol may result in brain degeneration, and possibly early onset of dementia or Parkinson's Disease.

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In the brain, cholesterol is essential for:

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1. Neuron Function: Cholesterol helps form and maintain the myelin sheath, the protective covering that insulates nerve fibers and facilitates the efficient transmission of electrical impulses between neurons. Without adequate cholesterol, communication between brain cells slows down, leading to cognitive impairment.

2. Synapse Formation: Cholesterol is critical for the formation and function of synapses, the connections between neurons that allow for memory, learning, and overall brain plasticity. Studies show that low levels of cholesterol impair synaptic function and hinder the brain’s ability to form new memories.

3. Neurotransmitter Activity: Cholesterol regulates the activity of neurotransmitter receptors in the brain, influencing mood, cognition, and overall mental well-being.

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In addition, cholesterol is a critical building block for the production of hormones. From cholesterol, your body makes a chemical called pregnenolone, a mother hormone, from which all the other hormones are derived. Hormones play a vital role in the health of your brain and how you think, feel, and act. If your cholesterol is too low, you won’t have the precursors to produce adequate levels of hormones. Hormonal deficiencies are linked to a number of psychiatric and cognitive health symptoms, including:

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• Estrogen—Low levels of estrogen are linked to depression, fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, and focus problems.

• Progesterone—Common symptoms of low progesterone include anxiety, depression, and trouble sleeping.

• Testosterone—Symptoms of low testosterone levels include depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation.

• Thyroid—Thyroid deficiencies can create depression, attentional problems, memory problems, and fatigue.

• DHEA—Falling levels of DHEA have been linked to depression, fatigue, and mental fog.

• Vitamin D—Low levels of this vitamin (which is actually a hormone) have been implicated in depression, bipolar disorder, and memory problems, including Alzheimer’s disease.

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You can also get cholesterol through food. Because plants cannot create it, you can only find it in animal products, like meat and dairy.

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