Cholesterol is a fundamental molecule in all animal cells. It supports membrane structure and organization, helping to regulate membrane fluidity and the formation of lipid rafts that are key to signaling and transport processes.
It also serves as a precursor for steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D, making it essential for hormone regulation, digestion, and calcium metabolism. In the brain, cholesterol contributes to myelin formation.
However, when cholesterol balance is disturbed, excess accumulation can lead to metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the fine line between its vital and harmful roles.
Read more about cholesterol in our Lipid Navigator:
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