Fulvio Ursini discusses the biological necessity of cholesterol

Fulvio Ursini, director of the School of Food Science at the University of Padua, has addressed the biological role of cholesterol, arguing against its reputation as a purely harmful substance. He notes that cholesterol is an indispensable molecule for life, contributing to cell membrane formation, hormone production, and the synthesis of vitamin D and bile acids.

Ursini emphasizes that the issue is not cholesterol itself, but rather excessive levels of certain lipoproteins in the blood. While high levels of LDL (often termed ‘bad’ cholesterol) can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, HDL (often termed ‘good’ cholesterol) helps remove excess cholesterol from tissues. He suggests that the common use of terms like ‘bad cholesterol’ is a simplification of a complex metabolic process involving various lipoproteins.