When people hear the word cholesterol, they automatically associated it with clogged arteries. They envision piping much like their sinks, collecting grease and fats in the drain pipes. Well that can be a reality, however like anything in life, cholesterol isn't always the enemy.
Now I’m not saying to go and eat a dozen eggs every single morning, that’s a good way to ensure you’re getting too much cholesterol. Like ying and yang there has to be a balance.
Here’s something that may ease the indulgence of that yolk, cholesterol is actually a sterol. Derived from plants and animals (plants don’t actually have cholesterol) and like much like everything else a majority is processed through the liver, some is disbursed throughout the small intestine and individual cells.
Foods such as dairy, chicken, beef, fish and eggs add to our cholesterol. Surprisingly enough only about 15% of our cholesterol comes from our food. The liver bundles up cholesterol breaking it down into what is called LIPOPROTEINS. Lipoproteins are a combination of fats and protein. This among triglycerides and vitamins are shuttled through the bloodstream and into the cells.
Here are several reasons to make sure your diet has a combination of good fats. Cholesterol is crucial for not only maintaining cells, but for structure and formation as well. Cholesterol aids our cells for temperature regulation and insulation. Here are my personal favorites; cholesterol is converted into vitamin D when in the presence of sunlight, and what better way to enjoy that happy temperament then enjoying the boost in sex hormones testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. That’s right, cholesterol synthesis’s these key hormones. So for a lifter, a boost in testosterone could mean a boost in muscle mass.
Fear not, if you worry that you’re getting too much cholesterol, who’s there to help? Why it’s CHOLESTEROL! Swooping in to scrap all the plague off the arteries, HDL or high density lipoproteins, will help to remove the low density lipoproteins. Now don’t assume that you can go and eat a Big Mac and almonds will be there to save the day. Too much of anything can be bad. Like the old saying goes…..everything in moderation and keep it balanced!
Now go make your egg white omelet a one yolk omelet…mmmmmmm yolk!