Cholesterol, in its many forms, often gets a collective lousy reputation. Just hearing the word is usually enough to conjure up images of poor eating habits and heart disease. Like any nutritional substance, watching the total amount of cholesterol in our diets is essential. However, many people don’t realize that this fat-like compound can be critical in holistic wellness and, most specifically, brain health. Our bodies must create our reserves of it to ensure it’s there when we need it to function and perform.
Cholesterol Produces Vital Hormones
Most people associate cholesterol concentrations with cardiovascular function and are surprised to learn that the brain has the highest stores of it in the body. On average, our brains make up only 2-3% of our total body mass, yet this small organ stores up to 25% of the total cholesterol found in our bodies. The brain delivers the vital raw material needed from this to create a multitude of crucial hormones, including testosterone, cortisol, and estrogen. This rich organic compound can even promote the production of Vitamin D in our bodies.
Brain Health: Four Main Functions Of Cholesterol
Additionally, it our bodies serve four main protective brain functions, including:
Antioxidants
Our brains are comprised primarily of fat (60% total), which makes them highly susceptible to damage from free radical chemicals. Cholesterol’s antioxidant properties can help disable these free radicals before they can harm cognitive function.
Barriers
This fatty substance helps develop cell membranes, forming a barrier that defines cell structure and prevents harmful elements from penetrating the cell.
Insulation
The largest concentrations of this compound in the brain are found in the myelin sheath. This wraps around nerve cells, creating an insulating and protective layer.
Neurotransmitter Firing
Cholesterol-rich membranes promote the firing of neurotransmitters between the body’s nerve cell synapses.
Lack Of Cholesterol Can Harm Brain Health
Given its impressive multitasking capabilities, it’s not surprising that inadequate cholesterol concentrations can harm cognitive wellness. Deficient reserves of this compound have been directly linked to a multitude of mental and neurological conditions, including depression, autism, and Parkinson’s. Several studies have even indicated that good cholesterol can delay or prevent dementia, particularly in women, encouraging the medical community to continue studying this organic compound’s many brain health superpowers. If you have any questions about cholesterol, Georgia Chiropractic Neurology is here to answer help.