Cholesterol: for and against

The article deals with the value of cholesterol, as an essential component of each cell of the human body and its role in the synthesis process and as source material for male and female sex hormones, bile, acids, and vitamin D. Increased level of cholesterol in the body is a pathological phenomenon, leading to such diseases as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, liver and kidney disease, pancreatic disease, diabetes, obesity, and others. Lack of cholesterol, considering its multifaceted nature and the participation in the vital processes of the body leads to frequent depression, weakening of the immune system, increased fatigability, decreased libido and the development of other diseases. It has been demonstrated that 80% of cholesterol is produced by the human body; therefore it is not necessary to associate its excess or lack in the body with the quantity in food. Therefore, normally, our body regulates the level of cholesterol itself, keeping it within 5 mmol/l but in incorrect nutrition it is possible to increase its amount in the bloodstream. To reduce the cholesterol concentration in the body, it has been indicated which products should be restricted, and which ones to increase in the diet.