Cholesterol and Steroid Hormones

8/3/2019 Cholesterol and Steroid Hormones

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Kiel Cordon


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Whenever we hear the word 'cholesterol' we think

hamburgers, thickshakes, people who need a

double seat in an aircraft, clogged arteries and an

early death.


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In fact cholesterol is essential to life.It's a compound a

steroid that occurs naturally in the body.It's

manufactured by the liver, and is essential for many of

the body's metabolic processes.It helps make

hormones like estrogen, testosterone and adrenaline

(the name originates from the Greek 'chole' meaningbile and stereos meaning solid).It's used in the

production of vitamin D, and also in the production of

bile acids, whichhelp the body digest fat and absorb

fat-soluble vitamins in the small intestine.


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The trouble starts when we get too much cholesterol when the intake of fats in our diet causes the levels of

ch

olesterol in our blood to rise to more th

an we need.

If it rises above normal levels that is, 5.5 millimolesper litre it can build up into fatty deposits on thesurface of our arteries, which can form calcium

plaques.These narrow the arteries and block bloodfrom flowing, leading to heart disease, stroke andother conditions.This is a condition known asatherosclerosis. High cholesterol is one of the riskfactors for atherosclerosis, along with smoking, being

overweight, and having high blood pressure.


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` are naturally occurring or synthetic fat-solubleorganic compounds having as a basis 17 carbon

atoms arranged in four rings and including the

sterols and bile acids, adrenal and sex hormones,

certain natural drugs such as digitalis compounds,and the precursors of certain vitamins.

` Steroids are complex lipids based on the

cholesterol molecule, and which affect chemical

processes in the body, growth, and sexual andother physiological functions.


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` In human physiology and medicine, the most

important steroids are cholesterol, the steroid

hormones, and their precursors and metabolites.

Many steroids are biologically activeh

ormonesthat control a number of the body's metabolic

processes. All the natural sex hormones are

steroids.


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` are a class of natural and synthetic

steroid hormones that promote cell growth and

division, resulting in growth of muscle tissue and

sometimes bone size and strength.

All anabolicsteroids are chemical derivatives of the male sex

hormone, testosterone.


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` group of anti-inflammatory drugs similar to the natural

corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal

glands. Corticosteroids have antitumor activity in

lymphomas and lymphoid leukemia and also in

managing some of the complications of cancer.

` they are commonly used in severe cases of

osteoarthritis, and they can be given orally, by

injection, or occasionally injected directly into anaffected joint.


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` group of steroid hormones produced by the

adrenal cortex.

` Estrogens and progesterone are referred to asfemale sex hormones, androgens as male sex

hormones. Males produce testosterone, while

females produce estrogen and progesterone.

Female sex hormones are responsible for normalmenstruation and the development of secondary

female characteristics.


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` Steroids are used to increase muscle bulk andstrength and to enable longer and harder athletic

training sessions. Steroids increase protein

synthesis, promoting growth of muscles and

bones.They reduce the recovery time neededbetween training sessions and enable athletes to

train more intensively for longer periods.

` Anabolic steroids increase muscle mass.


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` Antiinflammatory steroids (or corticosteroids) can

reduce swelling, pain, and other manifestations of

inflammation.

` Synthetic steroids are used in a variety of

therapies to control respiratory problems, skin

inflammation, ease joint inflammations, and to

treat blood disorders.


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` a steroid hormone produced by the testes and

adrenal glands. Testosterone is the most important

of the male sex hormones.It is responsible for

stimulating bone and muscle growth

, and sexualdevelopment.

` Testosterone stimulates sperm production

(spermatogenesis), and influences thedevelopment of male secondary sex

characteristics.


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` a steroid precursor produced by the adrenal gland andconverted to testosterone or the estrogens by thebody's tissues. Optimal levels OF DHEA areassociated with increased energy, healthy immuneand cardiovascular function, improved memory and

elevated mood.

` DHEA is a cholesterol metabolite, it aids in the relief ofstress. DHEA aids in the prevention of cancer.

* (Low circulating levels of DHEA have been associatedwith a higher incidence of breast cancer in women).


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` an estrogen precursorhormone produced by the

adrenal glands and the stromal tissue in the ovaries

and later converted to estrone in the adipose tissues

in the skin and appendages.

` Optimal testosterone levels give the body healthy red

blood cells, a vital sex drive, rapid protein production,

and a balanced immune system.It can also cause

increased energy, heighted sexual arousal, and give agreater sense of overall well-being.


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` the main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenalcortex

` Hydrocortisone is responsible for maintaining ourability to process sugars, maintain our bloodpressure and react to stress and illness.

` Cortisol helps the body respond to stress.

Hydrocortisone stimulates gluconeogenesis toensure an adequate fuel supply.


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` - Prednisone is a steroid that blocks inflammation ofan allergic reaction. Prednisone puts down the body'sresponse to the allergen (the cause of the allergy) andreduces swelling, redness, itching, and othersymptoms of allergy.

` also reduces the body's ability to fight infection.Prednisone decreases inflammation by preventingwhite blood cells from completing an inflammatory

reaction. Prednisone may act together with anticancerdrugs in helping to control the effects of the diseaseon the body.


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` synthesis of enzymes required to decrease the

inflammatory response. Dexamethasone is a

strong anti-inflammatory agent. Dexamethasone is

used to treat many inflammatory and autoimmuneconditions.

` Dexamethasone is used to treat leukemia and

lymphoma and may be used to treat some of theproblems caused by other cancers and their

treatment.


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` the development of secondary sexual characteristicsand induces menstruation in women.Estrogen isimportant for the maintenance of normal brain functionand development of nerve cells.

` Estrogen is essential for the healthy development andfunctioning of the female reproductive system and inkeeping bones strong and brain cells healthy.Estrogen is used therapeutically to treat breast and

prostate cancer and osteoporosis, and to relieve thediscomforts of menopause.


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` used to treat testosterone deficiency or breast canceror osteoporosis.It is very similar in structure to themale hormone testosterone, and has many of thesame effects in terms of increasing muscle mass.

` Nandrolone drugs are used in the belief that they arecapable in increasing muscle strength and size,increasing muscle hardness, and also decrease bodyfat.They additionally reduce the fatigue associated

with training, and the time required to recover afterphysical exertion.


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` a major precursor of cholesterol ester, bile acids, andsteroid hormones and is a component of plasmamembranes.

` It is a necessary component of all cell membranes.It

is the precursor to allsteroid hormone (including estrogen,testosterone, cortisol, and vitamin D).

` It is the leading organic molecule in the brain and is

needed for brain function. However, too muchcholesterol in the bloodstream can be unhealthy, itbuilds up in the artery wall and can lead to the signsand symptoms of coronary heart disease.


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` Steroids are primarily used by bodybuilders, athletes,and fitness buffs who claim steroids give them a

competitive advantage and/or improve their physicalperformance. Also, individuals in occupations requiringenhanced physical strength (body guards,construction workers, and law enforcement officers)are known to take these drugs.

` However, steroid misuse or abuse has beenassociated withhealth problems and undesirableoutcomes. Side effects of steroid use can include hairloss, liver problems, insomnia, acne, headaches,jaundice, hypertension and high cholesterol.


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` Men who use steroids can experience shrinking

testes, gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts) and prostateand fertility problems. Females may experience a

deepened voice, increases in body and facial hair,

menstrual irregularities, and an enlarged clitoris.

Males may experience testicle shrinkage, infertility,and breast development.In addition several

psychological effects, such as increased aggression

and hostility, irritability, anxiety, paranoia, mood

swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts may also

occur.


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`

Steroids can permanently stunt th

e growth

ofadolescents. Steroid abuse can have profound effects

on the mind, causing temporary personality changes

in some. Psychological side effects of steroids include

irritability, agitation, euphoria or depression.Insomnia

can also be a side effect.These changes inappearance and mood are often more apparent with

high doses of steroids. Steroids may also cause a

redistribution of fat, leading to a swollen face and

abdomen, but thin arms and legs.


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` An increase in susceptibility to infections mayoccur withhigh doses of steroids. Steroids reduce

calcium absorption through the gastrointestinal

tract which may result in osteoporosis, or thinning

of the bones. Prolonged heavy use of steroids canpermanently damage the liver, causing cancer,

jaundice, bleeding, and hepatitis.


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` Anabolic steroids stimulate muscle tissue to growand "bulk up" in response to training by mimickingthe effect of naturally produced testosterone onthe body. Anabolic steroids can remain in the body

anywhere from a couple of days to about a year.Steroids have become popular because they mayimprove endurance, strength, and muscle mass.However, researchhas not shown that steroids

improve skill, agility, or ath

letic performance.


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` premature balding orhairloss

` dizziness

` mood swings, includinganger, aggression, anddepression

` believing things that aren'ttrue (delusion)

` extreme feelings of mistrust

or fear (paranoia)` problems sleeping

` nausea and vomiting` trembling` high blood pressure that can

damage the heart or bloodvessels over time

` aching joints` greater chance of injuring

muscles and tendons` jaundice or yellowing of the

skin; liver damage` urinary problems` shortening of final adult height` increased risk of developingheart disease, stroke, andsome types of cancer


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` increased facial hair growth

` development of masculine traits, such as

deepening of the voice, and loss of feminine body

characteristics, such as shrinking of the breasts

`

enlargement of th

e clitoris` menstrual cycle changes


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` testicular shrinkage

` pain when urinating

` breast development

` impotence (inability to get an erection)

` sterility (inability to have children)


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When it comes right down to it, harming your body

or getting disqualified aren't smart ways to try to

improve your athletic performance. Being a star

athlete means training the healthy way: eating the

right foods, practicing, and strength training

without the use of drugs.

Cholesterol and Steroid Hormones

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