Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Cholesterol is scientifically recognized as a key raw material for the synthesis of steroid hormones, including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and androgens, all of which are produced by the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex relies on cholesterol as the substrate from which it manufactures these hormones through a series of enzymatic reactions. This process is well-documented in physiological and endocrinological literature. For example, Biochemistry (Berg, Tymoczko, & Stryer) and Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology both detail how cholesterol is transported into adrenal cortical cells, where it is converted into pregnenolone—the precursor for all adrenal steroids.

However, the use of dietary or supplemental cholesterol specifically to "support" adrenal cortex function in healthy individuals is less well supported. In most people, the body regulates cholesterol synthesis and uptake to meet the demands of steroidogenesis. There is limited evidence that increasing cholesterol intake or supplementation enhances adrenal hormone production in individuals without underlying cholesterol metabolism disorders or adrenal insufficiency. Most scientific evidence focuses on the physiological necessity of cholesterol as a precursor, rather than on clinical benefits of supplementation for adrenal support.

In summary, while cholesterol is scientifically essential for adrenal cortex hormone synthesis, the evidence for using cholesterol supplementation to "support" adrenal function in the general population is moderate, warranting a rating of 3 out of 5.

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