What is the Difference Between Dietary Cholesterol and Blood Cholesterol?

The main difference between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol lies in their sources and effects on the body.

• Dietary Cholesterol: Found in foods from animal sources, such as meats, liver, dairy foods, egg yolks, and shellfish. Dietary cholesterol has little to no effect on blood cholesterol levels for most people. However, some individuals may see adverse effects from consuming cholesterol-rich foods.
• Blood Cholesterol: Includes HDL ("good") and LDL ("bad") cholesterol, which are produced by the liver and circulate in the blood. Blood cholesterol levels are primarily determined by the amount of fats and carbohydrates in the diet, not by dietary cholesterol. High blood cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for heart disease.

The body tightly regulates the amount of cholesterol in the blood by controlling its production. Recent research has found that for most people, consuming an egg a day has no effect on their cholesterol. However, for some individuals, high-cholesterol foods may raise blood cholesterol levels. The biggest influence on blood cholesterol levels is the mix of fats and carbohydrates in the diet, not the amount of cholesterol consumed from food.

Comparative Table: Dietary Cholesterol vs Blood Cholesterol

The difference between dietary cholesterol and blood cholesterol lies in their sources, function, and impact on health. Here is a table comparing the two:

Blood cholesterol includes two main types: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is known as "good cholesterol" because it transports cholesterol to the liver to be released, while LDL is known as "bad cholesterol" because it brings cholesterol to the arteries, where it can cause plaque buildup. Lifestyle factors that may cause high cholesterol include obesity, a diet high in red meat, full-fat dairy products, saturated fats, and trans fats.