How to Differentiate Good and Bad Cholesterol in Foods
Because of health concerns associated with the intake of cholesterol, consumers need to know how to differentiate good and bad cholesterol based on the label and ingredients used during its production. Cholesterol, or fat, is actually a necessary part of the food pyramid and is synthesized by the body to be used in other cell activity. It also plays an active role in the production of bile acids, certain hormones and Vitamin D, which is believed to have an anti-cancer effect. Good cholesterol and bad cholesterol can be both present in a commodity, and sometimes, bad cholesterol takes a different name which makes it difficult to identify and avoid.
Cholesterol is naturally present in egg yolks, beef, pork, and animal oils. Though it aids in the production of other important hormones and acids in the body, the chemical structure of cholesterol hinder it to be dissolved in the bloodstream. Because of this, cholesterol is being carried along the bloodstream by its carriers which are called lipoproteins. These lipoproteins, which may be a low density or a high density, then defines the good and bad cholesterol present in the body.
The Good and Bad Cholesterol: HDL and LDL
The good and bad cholesterol can be differentiated through the density of their carrier. Lipoproteins are naturally produced in the body and are responsible for carrying cholesterol in the blood. HDL or High-density-lipoprotein is considered to be“good” cholesterol because it is mostly made up of proteins and binds small amount of fat. LDL or Low-density-lipoprotein is the dangerous type of cholesterol since it carries mostly fat, which has a tendency to clog the blood vessels and increases the risk of a person to heart attack.
How to Regulate Good and Bad Cholesterol
The presence of the good and bad cholesterol in the body can be regulated through the consumption of certain food products. To increase the good cholesterol in the body, the high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) should also be increased. This can be done through the intake of food products that are known to increase the amount of HDL in the body. Certain foods such as eggs, lean meats, and dark chocolate are known to increase HDL levels. In addition, alcohol consumption and regulated intake of wine were also identified to promote production of HDL in the body.
Aside from food consumption, other factors also affect the production of HDL and LDL, which results to the presence of good and bad cholesterol. Personal habits and individual lifestyle are just some of the factors that can either increase or decrease the HDL and LDL production. Smoking, diabetes, obesity and lack of exercise increases the amount of LDL produced in the body. As such, regulation of the amount of good cholesterol and bad cholesterol in the body can be done through a healthy diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle.
Good and Bad Cholesterol as Shown on Product Labels
FDA has mandated food manufacturers to label all food products sold in the market and to include all ingredients used during the production. Through this, consumers can easily identify the presence of good and bad cholesterol. In terms of ingredients and raw materials, good & bad cholesterol can take up different names which might confuse the consumers.
In food labels, cholesterol is also known as fat. To differentiate the good and bad cholesterol, the saturated fat is the “good” while the unsaturated fat is known to be the “bad”. Saturated fats are derived from animal fats and are more solid in form, so you can imagine what it can be like when it enters your bloodstream. On the other hand, unsaturated fats are derived from plants and are liquid in form when placed at room temperature. This type of fat does not increase the risk of fat clogging in the blood vessels. In addition, unsaturated fat is highly recommended for consumption. However, both saturated and unsaturated fat can be harmful and may introduce risk of cardiovascular diseases when its consumption is not properly regulated.
It is important that individuals distinguish good and bad cholesterol in the food they eat. Many young individuals have already died because of atherosclerosis. This is because most of the processed foods contain Trans Fat. Trans Fat is a modified or manufactured form of unsaturated fat by the process of hydrogenation imposes great risks for heart diseases. Sometimes, it is also declared as hydrogenated fat in some food labels. It is important that consumption of Trans Fat should be avoided as much as possible.
Good and bad cholesterol may be present in the food that we always consumer. However, every consumer is responsible for every food that he or she eats. To promote a healthy lifestyle and to avoid the risk of atherosclerosis, consumers should be aware of what they eat and learn to segregate good cholesterol and bad cholesterol.

