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How Your Body Makes Cholesterol

📑 10 slides 👁 48 views 📅 1/23/2026
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Introduction to Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a vital lipid for cell membranes and hormones.

Introduction to Cholesterol
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Cholesterol's Role in the Body

  • Essential for building cell membranes and maintaining fluidity.
  • Precursor for vitamin D, bile acids, and steroid hormones.
  • Too much can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
Cholesterol's Role in the Body
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Liver: The Cholesterol Factory

  • Liver synthesizes cholesterol from acetyl-CoA molecules.
  • Enzyme HMG-CoA reductase controls production rate.
  • Process occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver cells.
Liver: The Cholesterol Factory
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The Cholesterol Synthesis Pathway

  • 30+ enzymatic steps convert acetyl-CoA to cholesterol.
  • Key intermediates include mevalonate and squalene.
  • Process consumes 18 ATP molecules per cholesterol molecule.
The Cholesterol Synthesis Pathway
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Dietary Cholesterol Absorption

  • Occurs in the small intestine via specialized transporters.
  • Only about 50% of dietary cholesterol gets absorbed.
  • Plant sterols can block absorption by competing.
Dietary Cholesterol Absorption
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Cholesterol Transport System

  • Lipoproteins carry cholesterol through bloodstream.
  • LDL delivers cholesterol to tissues (bad cholesterol).
  • HDL removes excess cholesterol from tissues (good).
Cholesterol Transport System
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Factors Affecting Production

  • Insulin stimulates HMG-CoA reductase activity.
  • Fasting or starvation reduces cholesterol synthesis.
  • Genetic factors can cause overproduction.
Factors Affecting Production
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Regulation of Cholesterol Levels

  • Liver adjusts production based on dietary intake.
  • Negative feedback inhibits HMG-CoA reductase.
  • Statins work by blocking this enzyme.
Regulation of Cholesterol Levels
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When Cholesterol Goes Wrong

  • Hypercholesterolemia affects 1 in 200 people.
  • Plaque buildup can reduce blood flow by 75%.
  • Leads to 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide.
When Cholesterol Goes Wrong
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Maintaining Healthy Levels

  • Regular exercise boosts HDL and lowers LDL.
  • Soluble fiber binds bile acids, reducing cholesterol.
  • Monounsaturated fats improve cholesterol profile.
Maintaining Healthy Levels
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