a waxy, fat-like substance made in the liver, and found in the blood and in all cells of the body. cholesterol is important for good health and is needed for making cell walls, tissues, hormones, vitamin d, and bile acid. cholesterol also comes from eating foods taken from animals such as egg yolks, meat, and whole-milk dairy products. too much cholesterol in the blood may build up in blood vessel walls, block blood flow to tissues and organs, and increase the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
出典:Wiktionary
出典:『Wiktionary』 (2025/06/04 01:53 UTC 版)
cholesterol (countable and uncountable, plural cholesterols)
出典:Wikipedia
出典:『Wikipedia』 (2011/06/26 14:47 UTC 版)
Cholesterol is a waxy steroid of fat that is manufactured in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes. It is required to establish proper membrane permeability and fluidity. In addition cholesterol is an important component for the manufacture of bile acids, steroid hormones, and Vitamin D. Cholesterol is the principal sterol synthesized by animals; however, small quantities can be synthesized in eukaryotes such as plants and fungi. It is almost completely absent among prokaryotes including bacteria. Although cholesterol is important and necessary for mammals, high levels of cholesterol in the blood can damage arteries and are potentially linked to diseases such as those associated with the cardiovascular system (heart disease).