As can be seen in this flow chart, cholesterol is the precursor to a hormone called pregnenolone, which has important functions itself, but is also the precursor to all other steroid hormones.

Pregnenolone is converted to progesterone, a sex hormone, which in turn is converted into cortisol, which regulates inflammation and blood sugar, aldosterone, which regulates mineral balance and blood pressure, or testosterone, a type of sex hormone referred to as an androgen, which regulates libido, muscle mass, and plays other roles.

In females, and to a lesser degree in males, testosterone is further modified, undergoing conversion to estradiol, a different type of sex hormone called an estrogen.

Note: Please check back to this page soon. Additional information on the synthesis of, and functions of, individual steroid hormones will be added shortly, linking to in-depth articles on the functions of each hormone. Additionally, an article on the various foods and nutrients involved in affecting the conversion of cholesterol to steroid hormones will also be added.

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Source: Harvey et al., Biochemistry: 3rd Edition, Baltimore: Lippincott, 2005, pp. 235-238.