8 factors that could be spiking your cholesterol levels without you realising

A woman smiling

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


8 factors that could be spiking your cholesterol levels without you realising

By Lauren Geall

4 months ago

4 min read

Eating lots of fatty, ultra-processed foods isn’t the only road that can lead to high cholesterol levels. Here, we explore eight lesser-known factors that could cause an increase.


Eating a diet high in saturated fat is undoubtedly the worst thing you can do for your cholesterol levels, but it’s far from the only thing that can play a role. In fact, there are a long list of lifestyle choices and biological factors that can influence your cholesterol levels – all of which add up to produce the final number you see after a blood test.

Cholesterol is tricky in that we don’t want to get rid of it altogether. It’s not only used to create the protective membrane that surrounds our cells, but it also helps the body produce hormones and nutrients including oestrogen, testosterone and vitamin D. 

To support this, you want to make sure your cholesterol levels remain balanced – and that’s where this article comes in. Whether you’ve been told your cholesterol levels are elevated or are simply interested in taking conscious steps to keep your cholesterol in a healthy place now and in the future, it’s important to take a well-rounded approach. So, here are some factors that could lead to an increase in bad cholesterol – and how they work. 


1. Excessive drinking 

While light-to-moderate alcohol intake has been shown to increase good HDL cholesterol levels (although it’s worth noting alcohol has a negative impact on almost all other areas of our health), excessive drinking can lead to a spike in bad LDL cholesterol.

Alcohol is broken down and rebuilt into triglycerides (a type of blood fat) and cholesterol in the liver, so when you drink to excess, they build up.

“Additionally, most alcohol has a high sugar content, which can also increase the bad cholesterol in your body,” says Ryan James, health and wellbeing advisor at Vitality. “All of this can increase the risk of heart disease as the cholesterol builds up in your body as arterial plaque, making it harder for your heart to effectively pump your blood.” 

2. Smoking (and vaping)

You might not be too surprised to learn that smoking is bad for your cholesterol levels (it’s bad for everything, after all), but studies have also shown that vaping can negatively impact cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease.

One study on the subject found that vaping can spike bad LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides, and reduce good HDL cholesterol – not good.  

Vape

Credit: Getty

3. Genetics

About one in every 250 people have a condition known as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), a genetic disease that can lead to high levels of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood. If you have this condition, your cholesterol levels may be high from birth. 

4. Ethnic background

Research has shown that people from a south Asian background – those from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – are more likely to have high cholesterol. 

5. Menopause

Oestrogen helps to regulate the metabolism of fat molecules (lipids) in the liver, so when levels of oestrogen drop during perimenopause and menopause, it can lead to a spike in bad LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In fact, a 2020 study found that levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were much higher in women post-menopause compared to those in the early stages (when oestrogen levels are only just starting to drop).

Interestingly, this also means that women’s total cholesterol levels tend to fluctuate during the menstrual cycle as oestrogen levels change.  

6. Overexercising

It’s undeniable that exercise is good for your cholesterol levels – studies have shown time and time again that exercise can boost good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol. However, overtraining can have the opposite effect.

“People who exercise in excess of what their body can adapt to, or those who have too low nutritional energy intake (relative energy deficiency in sport) can slow down their bodies’ processes, which can raise cholesterol,” Dr Rebecca Robinson, a consultant in sports and exercise medicine for Marylebone Health, previously told Strong Women.  

Woman lacing up trainers for a run

Credit: Getty

7. Certain foods

We know that fast foods and ultra-processed foods are often high in saturated fat, but some foods are less well-known to be high in saturated fat, and this can catch people off guard.

One of the prime culprits is coconut oil, says James Vickers, a nutritionist at Vitality. “Despite its reputation as a ‘healthy’ oil, coconut oil contains more than 80% saturated fat, which is known to raise cholesterol levels,” he explains.

While that doesn’t mean you need to cut coconut oil out altogether (everything in moderation, after all), it does mean you shouldn’t use it on a day-to-day basis. 

8. Hypothyroidism

Having an underactive thyroid doesn’t just have ramifications for your hormonal health – it can also lead to an increase in your cholesterol levels. This is because thyroid hormones like thyroxine influence how the body metabolises fat, so having low levels of these hormones can lead to a spike in bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. 

If you think you might be at risk of high cholesterol, speak to your GP, who can arrange a blood test if necessary. You can also purchase a cholesterol test at certain chemists and pharmacies.


Images: Getty

A weekly dose of expert-backed tips on everything from gut health to running, plus receive our 8-week beginner’s guide to strength training.

By signing up you agree to occasionally receive offers and promotions from Stylist. Newsletters may contain online ads and content funded by carefully selected partners. Don’t worry, we’ll never share or sell your data. You can opt-out at any time. For more information read Stylist’s Privacy Policy

Thank you!

You’re now subscribed to all our newsletters. You can manage your subscriptions at any time from an email or from a MyStylist account.