Far too often, people rant about the “evil cholesterol.” But do you actually know what cholesterol is used for in the body?
Cholesterol as a basis – The daily bite of knowledge
Written by
Marina Lommel
2 minutes reading time
17. July 2023
zuletzt aktualisiert am 6. October 2025 von Kimberly Werner
Cholesterol does not float around uselessly in our bodies, but has crucial functions there:
- Cholesterol is part of cell membranes and contributes to their stability.
- Cholesterol is the starting material for the formation of bile acids. They are important for a functioning fat digestion.
- Cholesterol is the starting material for the formation of vitamin D in the skin.
In addition, cholesterol is a precursor of steroid hormones. These include:
- Cortisol from the adrenal cortex. A hormone that influences carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, among other things.
- Testosterone, which performs important functions in both women and men. Among other things, it affects growth, sperm formation and has an influence on the psyche in both sexes – for example, on self-confidence and the “love of life”.
- Estrogens and progestins that regulate the female cycle and pregnancy.
Always stay up to date with our Newsletter.
The daily bite of knowledge
This new section is intended to provide a brief look at topics in nutrition science. Today’s bite is meant to show that cholesterol is much more than something that just “is in the food” or “somehow does harm.” We’ll have to talk about the impact of dietary cholesterol on cholesterol levels and all the lipoproteins – HDL, VLDL, IDL, LDL – another time.
Similar posts by Foodpunk
Ketosis and ketone bodies. These two terms are happily thrown around in the low carb and keto world. Can be measured somehow. But what is actually behind it?
All about intermittent fasting
For whom is it suitable? For whom not? What is there to consider? In this article we clarify!
What is the difference between Paleo, Low Carb and Keto?
Stop the confusion! Here you can read what's behind Paleo, Low Carb and Keto. What are the differences? What the similarities? Which diet is the right one?
Anti-inflammatory effect of a ketogenic diet
In several of our articles we talk about the anti-inflammatory effect of the keto diet, here you will learn how it comes to this effect.
I'm sure you've heard about the importance of omega-3 fatty acids, perhaps pay attention to eating fatty sea fish or even take fish oil capsules. But why exactly are omega-3 fatty acids relevant for the body?
Do only calories really count?
Proper nutrition has such an effect on us that I think it's a shame how often the influence of nutrition is left out of disease treatments.
Eggs make happy! – The daily bite of knowledge
Normally, you always hear about high cholesterol in the media, usually in connection with the risk of coronary heart disease (*). However, hardly anyone talks about cholesterol levels being too low.
Which foods are suitable for the ketogenic diet and which are rather inappropriate, we summarize for you in this article!
Maybe you have heard of the so-called AIP in connection with autoimmune diseases - read here what exactly is behind it!