What are the main causes of high cholesterol and how can you lower it?

Your parents!: The main reason for elevated lipids/cholesterol levels are genetic. That is why a family history of premature cardiac disease is so important. If you do have this history, you should have you cholesterol levels checked.

Genetics & Lifestyle: These are the two main causes of high cholesterol. For the average individual only about 10 to 20% of your circulating cholesterol is from dietary sources, the remainder is manufactured by the liver according to your genetic "set point." foutunately the are a number of options available to control both sources of cholesterol in the body.