You need cholesterol to make hormones.
Some of you may already know this but...did you know that you need cholesterol to make hormones?
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That’s right! “Cholesterol is the precursor to all the protective steroidal hormones.” Like:
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〰️Cortisol
〰️Pregnenolone
〰️DHEA
〰️Estrogen
〰️Progesterone
〰️Testosterone
〰️And others!
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These can be made by the adrenal glands, gonads and placenta. Regardless of where they’re made, these hormones are “chemical messengers” that are conductors for SO many physiological processes.
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Cholesterol is also an antioxidant, key for handling stress. “It has a direct effect on producing the steroidal hormones as well as interfering with the toxic effects of chemical and physical stress.”
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As you can see, cholesterol is very important! Getting enough through your diet is essential for hormonal balance. My favorite ways to get it are through these yummy foods right here:
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🥚Eggs
🧀Cheese
🥩Steak
🦐Shellfish
🫀Organ meats
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Plus, many of these foods contain many other beneficial nutrients I try to get in daily.
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⁉️What about high cholesterol? It’s unlikely that this is caused by cholesterol-rich foods. See my other posts on cholesterol for more info.
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What’s your favorite cholesterol-rich food?
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All quotes by Josh & Jeanne Rubin in "Saturated Fact." @realfoodgangstas
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Not medical advice.
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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.
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References
Holst, J.P. Soldin, O.P. Guo, T. Soldin, S.J. (2004). Steroid hormones: relevance and measurement in the clinical laboratory. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3636985/#:~:text=The%20steroids%20that%20are%20made,and%20the%20gonads%20%5B1%5D..
Peat, R. (2007). Cholesterol, longevity, intelligence, and health. Retrieved from:http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/cholesterol-longevity.shtml.
Rubin. R. Rubin, R. (2014). Saturated Fact. Retrieved from: https://eastwesthealing.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/2016/04/Saturated-Fact-Final-PDF.pdf.
Tortora, G.J. Derrickson, B. (2015). Introduction to the Human Body: The Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology. John Wiley & Sons.
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