Cholesterol fulfills three important functions in the body:

It is an indispensable component of all cell membranes of animals. These are wrappers that are essential to protect the cell from its external environment (extracellular) and therefore helps keep the internal environment of the cell (intracellular).

It is a precursor of steroid hormones synthesized in the ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Steroid hormones regulate essential processes in the body, such as growth and development of sexual characteristics.

It is a precursor of bile acids, which are important in digestion and absorption of fats. (more…)