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Cholesterol: meaning, definitions and examples

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cholesterol

 

[kษ™หˆlษ›stษ™หŒrษ”l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

medical term

Cholesterol is a type of fat found in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol to function properly, but having high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

Synonyms

HDL, LDL, fat, lipid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cholesterol

Same as above; this is to show it's the same word with no variation.

  • High cholesterol can be managed with diet and exercise.
  • Doctors recommend reducing cholesterol intake from foods high in saturated fats.
lipid

Scientific or medical discussions that encompass fats, oils, sterols, and other molecules. Can refer to fats in general or specific types of biological molecules.

  • Lipid levels are an important part of your blood test.
  • The doctor explained the role of lipids in cellular processes.
fat

Discussions about diet and nutrition, specifically referring to substances in foods that can impact health and weight. It has a broader scope and can include unhealthy and healthy types.

  • Foods high in fat can lead to weight gain.
  • Avocados are a great source of healthy fat.
LDL

Specific discussions about 'bad' cholesterol, which can build up in your arteries and lead to heart disease. The term often carries a negative connotation.

  • High levels of LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of heart attacks.
  • Doctors suggest lowering your LDL cholesterol through diet changes.
HDL

Specific discussions about 'good' cholesterol, which helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

  • HDL cholesterol keeps your heart healthy.
  • A higher HDL level is usually a good sign.

Examples of usage

  • High cholesterol levels can lead to atherosclerosis.
  • Lowering your cholesterol can improve your overall health.
  • Eating a healthy diet can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originated from the Greek 'chole' meaning bile, and 'stereos' meaning solid, first noted in the 19th century.
  • It was first identified in solid form in gallstones, which prompted scientists to study its effects on health.
  • The term 'cholesterol' was proposed by chemist Eugรจne Chevreul in the 1810s.

Health and Medicine

  • Cholesterol is essential for making hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help digest food.
  • There are two main types: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) known as 'bad' cholesterol, and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) known as 'good' cholesterol.
  • High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to heart disease, while HDL helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Pop Culture

  • The public's understanding of cholesterol drastically changed with the introduction of dietary guidelines in the 1980s.
  • Cholesterol was featured in campaigns promoting heart health, influencing dietary trends toward low-fat foods.
  • Movies and TV shows often use cholesterol levels as a humorous reference in plots about health and lifestyle choices.

Science

  • Cholesterol is a type of lipid, which is a broader category that includes fats and oils.
  • It plays a role in forming cell membranes, which protect and shape cells, affecting how substances enter and exit.
  • Research shows that genetics can play a significant role in determining an individual's cholesterol levels.

Literature

  • Cholesterol has been a subject in multiple health-related non-fiction books, aiming to raise awareness about heart disease.
  • Poets and writers have used 'cholesterol' metaphorically to describe emotional states or societal issues regarding health.
  • It's commonly referenced in articles and health blogs, where food choices are discussed in context with heart health.

Translations

Translations of the word "cholesterol" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น colesterol

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅ‹เคฒเฅ‡เคธเฅเคŸเฅเคฐเฅ‰เคฒ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Cholesterin

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kolesterol

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั…ะพะปะตัั‚ะตั€ะธะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ cholesterol

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ณใƒฌใ‚นใƒ†ใƒญใƒผใƒซ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท cholestรฉrol

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ colesterol

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kolesterol

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฝœ๋ ˆ์Šคํ…Œ๋กค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ูƒูˆู„ูŠุณุชุฑูˆู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ cholesterol

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ cholesterol

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ƒ†ๅ›บ้†‡

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ holesterol

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kรณlesterรณl

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั…ะพะปะตัั‚ะตั€ะธะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒแƒšแƒ”แƒกแƒขแƒ”แƒ แƒ˜แƒœแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ xolesterol

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ colesterol

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,393 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.