Cholesterol is a waxy substance known as a sterol that is manufactured primarily by the liver or to a lesser extent by other cells in the body (endogenous cholesterol) and is also absorbed from food in the gut (exogenous cholesterol). Cholesterol does not contain fatty acids but since it is made from fatty acid molecules, it is highly fat soluble. Cholesterol can therefore not travel on its own in the blood stream and has to be bound to lipoproteins. Cholesterol in Foods When cholesterol is absorbed from the gut, it is transported in the form of a chylomicron from the intestinal lacteals, through the lymphatic system and emptied into the blood stream. These chylomicrons do not only carry cholesterol but it also carries other types of fats like triglycerides and phospholipids. The adipose tissue and liver break down these chylomicrons by the action of the enzyme lipoprotein lipase. Some fat is stored in the adipose tissue and the rest is taken to the liver for further processing. Cholesterol in the Liver Fats in the body are broken down to form acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) which can be metabolized to release large amounts of energy. Acetyl-CoA molecules can form a sterol … Continue reading What is Cholesterol? Good, Bad, Increase, Decrease, Functions