Cholesterol and lipid metabolism disorders

Cholesterol and fat metabolism - simply explained

Cholesterol is a vital substance that the body produces itself and also absorbs from food. It is needed for cell membranes, hormones, vitamin D and bile acids. In order for cholesterol and fats to be transported in the blood, special protein-fat particles, known as lipoproteins, serve as "transport vehicles".

VLDL (very low density lipoprotein) mainly transports triglycerides from the liver into the bloodstream. If there is too much VLDL in circulation, the triglyceride level often rises too, which can be linked to dietary habits such as high sugar or alcohol consumption.

LDL (low density lipoprotein) occurs when VLDL releases fats and thus becomes denser. LDL contains a lot of cholesterol and is often referred to as "bad cholesterol". High LDL levels can lead to cholesterol being deposited in the walls of blood vessels. In the long term, these deposits can thicken and impede blood flow.

HDL (high density lipoprotein) is considered "good cholesterol". It transports excess cholesterol back to the liver, where it is processed further. A high proportion of HDL therefore acts as an antagonist to LDL and ensures a better balance.

The consequences: The decisive factor is not so much the total cholesterol value, but the Ratio of LDL to HDL. A balanced ratio supports a regulated fat metabolism and helps to ensure that cholesterol is used sensibly in the body and that excess amounts can be broken down again.

What role does sugar play in cholesterol and fat metabolism?

Sugar has a much greater influence on fat metabolism than has long been assumed. While the cholesterol content of food is only decisive in a few cases, it is above all simple carbohydrates such as household sugar, glucose-fructose syrup or white flour products have an impact on blood lipid levels. A high sugar intake can change the metabolism of lipoproteins and often leads to more VLDL particles are formed, while the HDL cholesterol decreases. At the same time, smaller and more densely packed LDL particles which can contribute more strongly to the formation of deposits in the blood vessels.

Especially Fruit sugar (fructose) plays a role here: it is increasingly converted into fat in the liver, which is either stored or released into the bloodstream via VLDL. In conjunction with a Insulin resistance this process is further intensified, as more fatty acids are transported from the fatty tissue to the liver, where they are converted into VLDL.

The consequence: excessive consumption of sugar can shift the balance between LDL, HDL and VLDL. This not only changes the fat metabolism, but can also lead to long-term deposits in the blood vessels that impair blood circulation.

Sugar and its influence on fat metabolism

Types of sugar differ in how quickly they are absorbed and what effect they have on the metabolism. Sugar like Galactose, Tagatose or Isomaltulose have a lower glycemic index than conventional sugar and therefore have a gentler effect on blood sugar levels.

Tagatose* is only partially absorbed and therefore provides less energy than conventional sugar. Studies suggest that replacing household sugar with tagatose can result in more favorable metabolic values.

Galactose is utilized more slowly and can enter the cells independently of insulin, allowing it to be used as an energy source even when insulin action is limited.

Isomaltulose is considered to be toothfriendly* and causes blood sugar levels to rise only slowly*. 

As a result, these alternative types of sugar can help to make people more aware of their fat and cholesterol metabolism and are suitable as a modern alternative to conventional household sugar.