What Causes High Blood Cholesterol and High Triglycerides?

High blood cholesterol and high triglycerides can be caused by medical conditions or bad dietary habits. 

Food

Foods that contain a “bad fat” called saturated fat can cause an increase in cholesterol. Saturated fat is a solid at room temperature. It is naturally found in animal-based foods such as cheese, milk, butter, and steak. Some plant-based foods such as palm oil and coconut oil contain saturated fats.

Trans fat (trans-fatty acids) are fats that have undergone a hydrogenation process. Some trans fats are also found in animal products. These fats are normally found in peanut butter, margarine, and potato chips.
Foods that are high in these two substances lower HDL levels and increase LDL levels. This decreases your defenses against heart disease and stroke and increases your risk for developing these conditions.

Medical Conditions

High triglycerides are caused by high levels of cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. High blood cholesterol levels can come from:

• diabetes
• hypothyroidism
• metabolic syndrome
• medication side effects
• Cushing’s syndrome
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• kidney diseases

What Else Causes of High Cholesterol?

A lack of exercise can cause an increase in LDL. Exercise is shown to boost healthy HDL cholesterol. Smoking can also increase bad cholesterol by causing plaque to build up in the arteries.