September 28, 2026

Cholesterol as We Age

Cholesterol as We Age

Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND

Every year you most likely go to your doctor for a physical exam and routine blood work. When you look over your blood work you may notice something called a lipid panel or cholesterol panel. Your doctor will often say things such as your cholesterol is looking great or in other case’s you may hear your cholesterol is starting to go up a bit. But what does that all even mean? What even is cholesterol? What can you do to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels? It’s a lot to cover so let’s get into it, shall we?

What is cholesterol? Basically it’s a type of lipid that your body needs to work properly. For example cholesterol helps to from a protective cover around our cells. This cover acts as a guard only allowing certain things to enter the cell. Cholesterol is also important in making bile and bile as we know helps breakdown food that we eat. Cholesterol is also the building block for hormones and even vitamin D!

Typically when you get your blood work you will see different types of cholesterol listed. These are usually HDL (known as “good” cholesterol”), LDL and VLDL (both of these are “bad” cholesterol) and Non-HDL cholesterol. (1) In addition to these numbers you will also see triglycerides. These triglycerides are a type of fat that we get from food or can produce from things such as excess sugar. Triglyceride’s like LDL and VLDL are considered “bad” if they are higher than optimum. (2)

But what makes HDL “good” and the other forms of cholesterol and its buddy triglycerides “bad”? The difference between HDL and LDL is in what they do. Cholesterol needs to travel around the body via HDL and LDL/VLDL. HDL is called the good cholesterol because it brings the cholesterol to the liver where it can be processed. (3) LDL and VLDL are considered “bad” because they can contribute to plaque buildup in the blood vessels. (1, 4)Triglycerides are considered “bad” because they can increase the risk of heart disease and even increase the risk of pancreatitis. (2) Please see the below chart for normal and high HDL, LDL and Triglycerides. Total cholesterol should optimally be under 200. (1-4)

	HDL	LDL	Triglycerides
Normal levels	40 to 80 mg/dL (males) or 50 to 80 mg/dL (females)	Below 100 mg/dL is normal and 100 mg/dl – 129mg/dl is considered elevated but not yet high	Adults 19+ Under 150mg/dl Under 19 Under 90mg/dl
Mild High levels	Above 80 mg/dL (everyone)	130 – 159 mg/DL	150-199 mg/dl
Moderate High levels		160 – 189 mg/dL	200-499mg/dl
Severe High levels		190 mg/dL or higher	Greater than 500mg/dl
Low levels	Low HDL below 40mg/dl for men and below 50mg/dl for women

How do you know if your cholesterol is too high? It’s important to get your yearly blood work so you can catch high cholesterol that is starting to elevate rather than wait until it is already high. I know what you’re thinking, that’s great but what are some symptoms that show cholesterol maybe high? Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite, headaches, vision changes, numbness, nausea, swollen feet and even yellow nodules on the skin. Women may also experience neck or jaw pain, dizziness, weakness or burning in the arms and even mood changes such as unexplained anxiety or irritability. (5) However I do want to emphasize that in many people high cholesterol can be absolutely asymptomatic. This is why it’s important to get regular blood work.

In addition to knowing what cholesterol is in my mind it’s very important to know what are the risk factors for developing high cholesterol. Age as we know is a common risk factor for high cholesterol. As you age your cholesterol levels rise. For us ladies we know that the changes in our hormones that we experience at menopause can also impact cholesterol levels. A family history of high cholesterol or lipid metabolism disorder that you inherit as well as being of certain nationalities can also increase your risk of high cholesterol. Having HIV can also increase cholesterol. Other common risk factors include diets high in fat and sugar as well as a lack of exercise. High cholesterol can also be impacted by excessive alcohol intake, smoking and even certain meds. Certain chronic diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, RA and even obesity can all impact cholesterol. (1-4)

Last but not least why is cholesterol so important? High cholesterol can increase risk of heart disease. For example metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, carotid artery disease, coronary artery disease, PAD and even the risk of strokes can all increase! High cholesterol can also lead to atherosclerosis. Having high cholesterol can also increase heart attack risk. (1-4) Having high cholesterol can have many complications for your overall heart health. But there’s a lot you can do to help your cholesterol!

Life style changes can help improve cholesterol. For example limit Saturated fat, Tran’s fats and sugar. Reduce your alcohol and eliminate tobacco. Increase your fiber and omega 3 intake.
Daily exercise can also help cholesterol.
Make sure you get good sleep and manage your stress.
If you are overweight losing weight can also help your cholesterol.
Mange underlying conditions such as diabetes.

Aged Garlic has been found in studies to help lower our cholesterol levels as well our blood pressure! (6)Please see Invite’s Aged Garlic.
Resveratrol has been found by the Cleveland clinic to help lower LDL and raise HDL! (7) Resveratrol is a powerhouse when it comes to keeping us healthy! Please see Invite’s Resveratrol Hx and Resveratrol Max!
Omega 3s are also a powerful nutrient in our health journey! The Mayo clinic has found them to help lower triglycerides and raise our HDL! (8) Please see Invite’s Fish Oil and Krill Oil Advanced!

Studies have found that Beta Glucan can help with high cholesterol and even metabolic syndrome. (9) Please see Invite’s Cholesterol Defender Plus!
Studies have found Red Yeast Rice to be one of the most effective cholesterol lowering supplements available. Additionally studies have found that Red Yeast Rice lowers both total cholesterol and LDL levels approximately 15-25% within 6-8 weeks. Additionally according to the Mayo clinic studies find that it helps to lower triglycerides. Another study found it helps to increase HDL. (10-12) Please see Invite’s Red Yeast Rice and Cholesterol Defender Plus!