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
Cold potatoes – The daily bite of knowledge
Cold potatoes have fewer calories than hot? Excuse me? Exactly! The key is the so-called resistant starch.
Let's be clear. Does our brain need carbohydrates now? Or not?
What is cortisol? – The daily bite of knowledge
Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal cortex. Because of its effect on the body, it is often referred to as "the stress hormone."
Can medium-chain fatty acids pass the blood-brain barrier?
People often ask what the difference is between regular MCT oil, Bulletproof XCT and Brain Octane.
5 tips for more fitness in winter
5 tips to help you avoid winter fatigue and feel really fit in the darker months of the year.
The fatty tissue? This is for saving. It stores fat. This is what most people know about adipose tissue.
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!
What is this Bulletproof diet anyway?
The Bulletproof diet is a high-fat diet, based on the Paleo diet.