For most of the 20th century, cholesterol was considered to be one of the worst enemies of a healthy body. However, the conclusions of the studies carried out in recent years show each time that this characteristic is not so unambiguous. Recently doctors began to divide cholesterol into “bad” and “good”: the first settles in our vessels, the second flushes it out and delivers it to the liver, where cholesterol is processed and excreted from the body.
Today it is believed that it is the balance of these two varieties that is important, and low cholesterol levels – on the contrary, are far from the best indicator, because it is necessary for the synthesis of certain hormones, as well as vitamin D… Doubtful and rejection of fatty foods to lower the level of this substance.
Fact is that about 80% of the cholesterol contained in the body is produced by the liver, and we get only the remaining 20% from food… Accordingly, with a decrease in the level of cholesterol coming “from the outside”, our body will try to compensate for its deficiency, which can, on the contrary, lead to an increase in the content of this substance in the blood.
According to the head of the study, Albert Salehi, a receptor is located in the pancreas GPR183, which is activated by contact with one of the cholesterol products produced by the liver. This discovery may allow the development of a way to block the binding of this receptor to cholesterol, or, conversely, activate it. It could be useful for people with low cholesterol levels, due to which not enough insulin is produced, and vice versa – to reduce its amount in the body… After all, an increased level of insulin can affect an increase in appetite and, accordingly, weight. Not to mention the risk of diabetes.