Cholesterol Levels Creeping Up? Let’s Talk About Blood Sugar.
As a clinical nutritionist, I often see clients in the clinic concerned about rising cholesterol levels—sometimes despite making positive dietary changes. One underlying factor I consistently observe, yet is frequently overlooked, is blood sugar dysregulation, particularly in the form of insulin resistance and chronically elevated glucose levels.
Here’s what we see in clinic and how it plays out physiologically:
When blood sugar levels remain high over time, the body responds by producing more insulin. Over time, the cells become less responsive to insulin, a state we refer to as insulin resistance. This disrupts lipid metabolism in a number of ways:
· Increased triglycerides and lowered HDL: One of the most common patterns I see in blood work is elevated triglycerides paired with lower levels of HDL cholesterol. This often flags insulin resistance before fasting glucose or HbA1c levels even shift outside the reference range.
· Small, dense LDL particles: Clients with insulin resistance often have a shift in their LDL particle size—moving from large, buoyant particles to small, dense ones. These smaller particles are more atherogenic, meaning they contribute more significantly to plaque build-up in arteries.
· Liver overload and non-alcoholic fatty liver: Insulin resistance can lead to fat accumulation in the liver, which further interferes with lipid metabolism and worsens cholesterol profiles.
· Encourages Fat Storage (Especially Visceral Fat)
Blood sugar swings and insulin resistance encourage fat accumulation, particularly around organs. Visceral fat is metabolically active and worsens cholesterol profiles by releasing inflammatory substances and free fatty acids into the bloodstream.
In practice, addressing blood sugar regulation often leads to noticeable improvements in cholesterol levels—even without focusing directly on dietary fats. For many clients, this means focusing on whole-food carbohydrate sources, increasing fibre and protein intake, optimising meal timing, and increasing movement throughout the day.
If your cholesterol has been creeping up and you’re not sure why, let’s have a chat! By looking through blood work, and asking a few meaningful questions, we can discuss a plan that will work for you and your unique needs.
