Steroids and Cholesterol

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Steroids

Steroids are naturally made by our bodies in small amounts. They help to control many functions. But steroids can also be made artificially and used as drugs to treat different diseases, including cancer.  Steroids used to treat cancer are usually a type called corticosteroids. These are man made versions of the HORMONES produced by the adrenal glands just above the kidneys.

Corticosteroids include:

  • prednisolone
  • methylprednisolone
  • dexamethasone

steroids help control many body functions including:

  • how your body uses food to produce energy (Metabolism)
  • keeping the balance of salt and water in your body
  • regulating blood pressure
  • reducing allergies and inflammation
  • controlling mood and behavior

 

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in the body. It plays a vital role in how every cell works and every single cell needs and contains cholesterol. The body also turns it into vitamin D and a variety of hormones and it is also the raw material for bile acids which the body produces to aid digestion of fat.

However, the type and level of cholesterol in the body is important for Health and too high a cholesterol level increases the risk of heart disease. Although genetic factors play an important role in determining a person’s cholesterol level it is also influenced strongly by diet and while cholesterol level is regarded as a major risk factor for coronary artery disease, it is regarded as a “modifiable” risk factor. It can be modified by diet and the type and quantity of foods we eat can make a big difference and this provides an opportunity to develop specific foods which can help lower cholesterol levels. Cholesterol can enter the body in the foods we eat or can be produced in the body by the liver.

Dietary cholesterol accounts for around 25–40% of the daily turnover of cholesterol whereas production in the body accounts for 60–75%.

The liver is the “control centre” for the body’s cholesterol transport system. Cholesterol is transported around the body in the form of lipoproteins. There are two main types of lipoproteins involved in cholesterol transport and these are called LDL cholesterol (low density lipoprotein) and HDL cholesterol (high density lipoprotein).

The liver may transport cholesterol through the bloodstream to supply cells of the body via LDL cholesterol or cholesterol can be transported from the body’s cells back through the bloodstream, via HDL cholesterol. If there is a shortfall of cholesterol the liver can make some more. If there is an excess, the liver may send cholesterol back down to the gut, via the bile.

If LDL cholesterol is too high, too much cholesterol arrives at the artery walls and if there is not enough HDL cholesterol to carry away excess cholesterol, then cholesterol starts to build up on the artery walls. Eventually the lining of the arteries starts to become overloaded with cholesterol and the artery walls thicken and become less flexible and coronary artery disease is underway.

LDL cholesterol is therefore often called “bad” cholesterol and HDL cholesterol is called “good” cholesterol because of their relative roles. Usually when cholesterol is described as “high” it is the LDL cholesterol which is of main concern whereas the key concern with HDL cholesterol is whether it is too low.

 

Dietary Cholesterol

All dietary cholesterol is derived from animal products. The major sources of cholesterol in the diet are egg yolks, products containing milk fat, animal fats, and animal meats. Many studies have shown that high intakes of cholesterol will increase the serum cholesterol concentration. Most of this increase occurs in the LDL cholesterol fraction. When cholesterol is ingested, it is incorporated into chylomicrons and makes its way to the liver with chylomicron remnants. There it raises hepatic cholesterol content and suppresses LDL receptor expression. The result is a rise in serum LDL cholesterol concentrations. Excess cholesterol entering the liver is removed from the liver either by direct secretion into bile or by conversion into bile acids; also, dietary cholesterol suppresses hepatic cholesterol synthesis. There is considerable variability in each of these steps in hepatic cholesterol metabolism; for this reason the quantitative effects of dietary cholesterol on serum LDL cholesterol levels vary from one person to another. For every 200 mg of cholesterol per day in the diet, serum LDL cholesterol is increased on Average by about 6 mg dl−1.

 

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Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in the blood and all parts of the body. It is made by the liver and is also found in foods from animal sources, such as meat, Poultry, fish, and Dairy products.

Cholesterol is important for the body. It is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. Bile acids help the body digest fats.

There are two types of cholesterol: LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is sometimes called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the arteries.

High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and Women in the United States.

There are several things you can do to lower your cholesterol:

  • Eat a healthy diet. This includes eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also includes limiting saturated and trans fats.
  • Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help lower your cholesterol.
  • Don’t smoke. Smoking can raise your cholesterol levels.
  • If you have high blood cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower it.

Cholesterol testing is a simple blood test that can measure your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. Your doctor may recommend this test if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

If you have high blood cholesterol, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, to help lower your cholesterol. If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower your cholesterol.

There are several types of cholesterol-lowering drugs available. These drugs work in different ways to lower cholesterol levels. Some of the most common cholesterol-lowering drugs include statins, bile acid sequestrants, and fibrates.

Statins are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs. They work by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver. Statins have been shown to be very effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels.

Bile acid sequestrants work by binding to bile acids in the intestine and preventing them from being absorbed. This causes the body to produce more bile acids, which uses up cholesterol. Bile acid sequestrants can lower LDL cholesterol levels by about 15-20%.

Fibrates work by increasing the production of HDL cholesterol and reducing the production of triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. Fibrates can lower LDL cholesterol levels by about 10-15% and triglycerides by about 20-30%.

Cholesterol is an important substance in the body, but high blood cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease. There are several things you can do to lower your cholesterol, including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and taking cholesterol-lowering medication if necessary.

What are steroids?

Steroids are a group of natural and synthetic substances that are similar to cholesterol. They are found in the body and are used to make hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids. Steroids can also be made in a laboratory.

What are the different types of steroids?

There are three main types of steroids:

  • Anabolic steroids: These steroids are used to build muscle and strength. They are often used by athletes and bodybuilders.
  • Corticosteroids: These steroids are used to reduce inflammation. They are often used to treat asthma, allergies, and arthritis.
  • Sex hormones: These steroids are responsible for the development of male and female sex characteristics.

What are the benefits of steroids?

Steroids can be beneficial in a number of ways, including:

  • Building muscle and strength
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Treating asthma, allergies, and arthritis
  • Developing male and female sex characteristics

What are the risks of steroids?

Steroids can also be risky, including:

  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Heart problems
  • Stroke
  • Mental health problems
  • Addiction

How are steroids taken?

Steroids can be taken orally, injected, or applied to the skin.

What are the side effects of steroids?

The side effects of steroids can vary depending on the type of steroid, the dosage, and how long the steroid is taken. Some common side effects include:

  • Liver damage
  • Kidney damage
  • Heart problems
  • Stroke
  • Mental health problems
  • Addiction

How can I avoid the risks of steroids?

The best way to avoid the risks of steroids is to avoid taking them altogether. If you do take steroids, it is important to do so under the supervision of a doctor.

What are the alternatives to steroids?

There are a number of alternatives to steroids, including:

  • Exercise
  • Diet
  • Weight loss
  • Natural supplements
  • Herbal remedies

What is the best way to get help with steroid abuse?

If you are struggling with steroid abuse, the best way to get help is to talk to a doctor or therapist. There are also a number of support groups available.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Steroids and Cholesterol:

  1. Which of the following is a type of lipid?
    (A) Cholesterol
    (B) Triglyceride
    (C) Phospholipid
    (D) All of the above

  2. Which of the following is a function of lipids?
    (A) Energy storage
    (B) Cell membrane structure
    (C) Hormone production
    (D) All of the above

  3. Which of the following is a type of cholesterol?
    (A) LDL
    (B) HDL
    (C) VLDL
    (D) All of the above

  4. Which of the following is a function of cholesterol?
    (A) Cell membrane structure
    (B) Hormone production
    (C) Vitamin D production
    (D) All of the above

  5. Which of the following is a type of triglyceride?
    (A) Saturated fat
    (B) Unsaturated fat
    (C) Trans fat
    (D) All of the above

  6. Which of the following is a function of triglycerides?
    (A) Energy storage
    (B) Cell membrane structure
    (C) Hormone production
    (D) None of the above

  7. Which of the following is a type of phospholipid?
    (A) Phosphatidylcholine
    (B) Phosphatidylethanolamine
    (C) Phosphatidylserine
    (D) All of the above

  8. Which of the following is a function of phospholipids?
    (A) Cell membrane structure
    (B) Transport of Molecules across the cell membrane
    (C) Signal transduction
    (D) All of the above

  9. Which of the following is a type of steroid?
    (A) Cholesterol
    (B) Estrogen
    (C) Testosterone
    (D) All of the above

  10. Which of the following is a function of steroids?
    (A) Hormone production
    (B) Cell membrane structure
    (C) Vitamin D production
    (D) None of the above

I hope these MCQs are helpful!