Saturated fat in food raises LDL cholesterol levels. Trans
fatty acids or trans fats from hydrogenated vegetable oil as well as foold from
animal sources such as egg yolks, meat and cheese all contribute to raising LDL
cholesterol levels.
Being overweight also raises LDL levels and lowers HDL
levels and increases the total cholesterol level. Lack of regular exercise can
cause weight gain and consequently raise cholesterol levels.
High blood cholesterol can also be due to heredity. An
inherited genetic condition (familial hypercholesterolemia) results in very
high LDL cholesterol levels. It begins at birth, and may result in a heart
attack at an early age.
Age and gender also play a role in determining cholesterol
levels. Younger men have lower levels of HDL than women while younger women
have lower levels of LDL than men. As women and men get older, their LDL
cholesterol levels rise. After 55, women have higher LDL cholesterol levels
than men