Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally in the body.  It is essential for the creation of every cell in the body, as cholesterol is an essential component of cell membranes, where it provides fluidity to allow transporters, such as those for glucose and hormones, to transverse cell membranes.  Cholesterol is a precursor for the making of the most important steroid hormones in the body, such as cortisol, oestrogen, testosterone, and many others.  Cholesterol is also essential for making bile acids, which help with the digestion of food. Where does cholesterol come from? The cholesterol in our bodies comes from two different sources, it is either made “afresh” in the cells, a process referred to in biological terms as

With the advent of high-speed jet travel, the world has become a much smaller place.  Just a pity that instead of experiencing excitement when arriving at a new destination, you experience severe tiredness, and you battle to stay awake to drink in the sights.   The dreaded fatigue after a long flight is called jet lag, which is caused by travelling at great speed over two or more time zones, with the body moving much faster than the brain and bodily processes can adapt.  Jet lag happens when there is a disconnect between the external light and dark cycle of night and day at your destination, and your body’s internal clock (referred to as our circadian rhythm) which is still on

When we eat, food gets broken down (digested) in the gut.  Digested food is absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream, supplying energy and nutrients to the body.  The body is made from organs and trillions of tiny, microscopic cells, which work together to keep us alive.  Our health relies on this community of organs and cells working together and looking after each other.  As nutrients in the bloodstream reach the cells, chemical reactions take place and molecules are built up, broken down, and used for energy.   Chemical reactions happen continuously inside cells, which converts the nutrient from the food we eat into molecules that are useful for the cells.  Life needs energy and chemical reactions in the cells extract