Is cholesterol an essential nutrient

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Is Cholesterol an Essential Nutrient?

Cholesterol's Role in Biological Processes

Cholesterol is a crucial component in various biological processes. It is a necessary element of cell membranes, providing structural integrity and fluidity. Additionally, cholesterol serves as a precursor for the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, bile acids, and vitamin D Kamishikiryo2017Garcia-Bermudez2019. These functions underscore its importance in maintaining cellular and systemic homeostasis.

Cholesterol and Immune Function

Recent studies have highlighted cholesterol's role in immune function. Research using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans demonstrated that cholesterol is vital for the development of innate immunity. The study found that cholesterol regulates immune genes through the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-8, which is essential for activating conserved microbicidal pathways . This indicates that cholesterol is not only a structural component but also plays a significant role in immune defense mechanisms.

Cholesterol in Diet and Health

Dietary cholesterol is primarily obtained from animal sources such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. While cholesterol is essential, excessive intake has been linked to elevated blood cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases Kuang2018Xu2017. However, the relationship between dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular disease is complex and not fully understood. Some studies suggest that moderate consumption of cholesterol does not significantly impact cardiovascular health .

Cholesterol in Aquatic Species

In aquatic species like shrimp, cholesterol is an essential nutrient that must be supplemented in their diet. Shrimp cannot synthesize cholesterol de novo and rely on dietary sources to meet their needs. Cholesterol is crucial for their growth, lipid metabolism, and overall health Su2022Guo2020. This highlights the species-specific requirements for cholesterol and its critical role in various organisms.

Conclusion

Cholesterol is indeed an essential nutrient due to its multifaceted roles in cellular structure, hormone synthesis, and immune function. While it is necessary for health, the balance of cholesterol intake is crucial to avoid potential adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Understanding the nuanced role of cholesterol can help in formulating dietary guidelines and health recommendations.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

Choline, an essential nutrient for humans

Choline is an essential nutrient for humans, as it depletes tissue stores and can cause incipient liver dysfunction when excess methionine and folate are not available in the diet.

RCTHighly Cited

1991·

640citations

·S. Zeisel et al.

The FASEB Journal·

DOI

Choline: an essential nutrient for humans.

Choline is essential for humans, as it depletes tissue stores and develops signs of liver dysfunction when excess methionine and folate are not available in the diet.

RCTHighly Cited

2000·

252citations

·S. Zeisel

Nutrition·

DOI

Choline: An Essential Nutrient for Public Health

Choline deficiency can lead to liver disease, atherosclerosis, and neurological disorders, and dietary guidance should encourage the intake of choline-rich foods.

Highly Cited

2009·

977citations

·S. Zeisel et al.

Nutrition reviews·

DOI

Cholesterol Regulates Innate Immunity via Nuclear Hormone Receptor NHR-8

Cholesterol plays a key role in innate immunity by regulating immune genes through the nuclear hormone receptor NHR-8, essential for survival against bacterial infections.

In Vitro Study

2020·

30citations

·Benson Otarigho et al.

iScience·

DOI

Interactive effects of dietary cholesterol and bile acids on the growth, lipid metabolism, immune response and intestinal microbiota of Litopenaeus vannamei: Sparing effect of bile acids on cholesterol in shrimp diets

Bile acids can effectively reduce the need for dietary cholesterol in shrimp, potentially improving growth performance and lipid metabolism.

Non-RCTAnimal Study

2022·

60citations

·Chen Su et al.

Aquaculture·

DOI

N-terminal domain of the cholesterol transporter Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) is essential for α-tocopherol transport.

NPC1L1 mediates -tocopherol uptake through the same mechanism as cholesterol absorption, highlighting its importance in vitamin E homeostasis.

In Vitro Study

2017·

23citations

·Jun Kamishikiryo et al.

Biochemical and biophysical research communications·

DOI

Squalene accumulation in cholesterol auxotrophic lymphomas prevents oxidative cell death

Loss of squalene monooxygenase expression in cancer cells leads to cholesterol auxotrophy, which promotes tumor growth by altering lipid metabolism and protecting cancer cells from ferroptotic cell death.

In Vitro StudyVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2019·

362citations

·J. Garcia-Bermudez et al.

Nature·

DOI

Cholesterol requirement and phytosterols efficiency in semi‐purified diets of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

Cholesterol supplementation in semi-purified diets of juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei is essential for maintaining their health and preventing disease.

2020·

17citations

·Jingping Guo et al.

Aquaculture Nutrition·

DOI

The Impact of Egg Nutrient Composition and Its Consumption on Cholesterol Homeostasis

Egg consumption may contribute to intestinal cholesterol absorption, which may contribute to maintaining cholesterol homeostasis and providing essential nutrients.

Highly Cited

2018·

113citations

·Heqian Kuang et al.

Cholesterol·

DOI

Dietary cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular diseases

There is insufficient evidence to link dietary cholesterol intake or egg consumption to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.

2017·

0citations

·Zhiyuan Xu et al.

DOI

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