Sterol

The simplest sterol is gonan-3-ol, which has a formula of C17H28O, and is derived from that of gonane by replacement of a hydrogen atom on C3 position by a hydroxyl group.

They occur naturally in most eukaryotes, including plants, animals, and fungi, and can also be produced by some bacteria (however likely with different functions).

[4][5] The most familiar type of animal sterol is cholesterol, which is vital to the structure of the cell membrane, and functions as a precursor to fat-soluble vitamins and steroid hormones.

While technically alcohols, sterols are classified by biochemists as lipids (fats in the broader sense of the term).

In humans and other animals, corticosteroids such as cortisol act as signaling compounds in cellular communication and general metabolism.

[11] Functional foods enriched with plant sterols/stanols have become the most widely used nonprescription cholesterol-lowering approach.