Cholesterol

Other names: provitamin D, cholestyryl alcohol

Harm score: 2 (Derivatives of natural substances)

Cholesterol, often referred to as provitamin D or cholestyryl alcohol, is a fatty substance that is an essential building block for human cells and hormones. This fat is important for all functions of the body, but especially for the formation of cell walls, the digestion of fats in the body, and for the production of certain types of hormones and vitamins. Cholesterol needs to be supplied to the body at a certain level, but too much of it can cause health problems such as atherosclerosis - the deposition of fatty substances on the walls of blood vessels.

Cholesterol is used, for example, to make vitamin D in the human body, where it is converted into this essential nutrient under the influence of sunlight. Furthermore, it is precisely used in the production of certain drugs - for example, statins, which regulate cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol is also a key ingredient in some cosmetic products, particularly skin and hair care products. Its presence is commonplace in many foods of animal origin - for example, meat, milk, eggs or butter, where it can play an important role in regulating metabolism and maintaining skin and hair health. However, excessive consumption can cause health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke.