Poor diet: The liver produces most of the cholesterol we need but cholesterol is also found in food. A diet high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids add the most cholesterol to our bodies. Replacing saturated and trans fat in food with polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats will lower cholesterol and triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol if you are overweight.
Inactivity: Regular exercise will help lower triglycerides and raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
Age and gender: As we age cholesterol levels steadily increase until around 65. Women often have lower cholesterol than men but around menopause (about 50) women’s cholesterol can be higher. Alcohol: HDL (good) cholesterol increases with moderate alcohol intake (1-2 drinks per day) but drinking too much alcohol damages the liver and heart leading to high blood pressure and an increase in triglycerides. Stress: Research has linked stress to raised cholesterol levels and how you manage regularly stressful situations could determine whether your body increases natural cholesterol. As well people under stress often adopt unhealthy eating and drinking habits which also contributes to higher cholesterol.
Smoking: If you smoke or are exposed to passive smoking HDL (good) cholesterol is lowered but research points to no long term effects on your levels if you stop.
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Cholesterol Overview 
