Why Your Cholesterol Rises in Menopause

Many women arrive at midlife feeling like they finally understand their bodies. Then a routine blood test delivers unexpected news:

“Your cholesterol has gone up.”

For some, this comes with a suggestion to monitor levels. For others, it triggers an immediate discussion about medication.

Understandably, this moment often brings confusion and worry.

What changed?
Why now?
And is this automatically a sign of danger?

Emerging research—and a fascinating book titled The Longevity Nutrient—suggests there may be more to this story than we’ve previously understood, especially for midlife women.

Cholesterol and Menopause: What’s Really Happening?

It’s incredibly common for cholesterol levels, particularly LDL, to rise during perimenopause and menopause.

This doesn’t necessarily mean:

• your diet has worsened

• you’ve suddenly become unhealthy

• your body is failing

Instead, it often reflects deeper biological adaptation.

Key drivers include:

• declining oestrogen

• changes in liver metabolism

• increased inflammatory signalling

• shifting fat distribution

• alterations in cell membrane structure

• mitochondrial and metabolic changes

Oestrogen naturally supports healthy cholesterol metabolism. As levels fall, the body adjusts, often increasing LDL production.

LDL Cholesterol as a Menopause Indicator

Interestingly, many practitioners and researchers now consider a rise in LDL cholesterol to be one of the most consistent biochemical indicators of the menopausal transition.

Hormone levels can fluctuate dramatically from day to day in perimenopause, making single-point hormone testing difficult to interpret.

Cholesterol trends, however, tend to be more stable.

For this reason, an unexpected increase in LDL may reflect hormonal transition, not simply dietary change.

This perspective can help women understand their results in context—reducing fear and opening the door to supportive, holistic strategies.

Cholesterol: Essential for Repair and Resilience

Cholesterol has been portrayed as harmful for decades, but biologically it plays crucial roles in:

• hormone production

• vitamin D synthesis

• cell membrane structure

• immune function

• brain and nerve health

• tissue repair

Rather than being purely a risk marker, cholesterol acts as a structural and biochemical building block.

When cell membranes become stressed by:

• inflammation

• oxidative damage

• hormonal change

• ageing

• environmental exposures

the body may increase cholesterol production to help stabilise and repair them.

This doesn’t mean rising cholesterol should be ignored—but it does mean the conversation needs to be more nuanced than “high is bad.”

Introducing C15: The Newly Recognised Essential Fatty Acid

Insights from “The Longevity Nutrient”

The Longevity Nutrient highlights a compelling development in nutrition science: the identification of C15 (pentadecanoic acid) as a newly recognised essential fatty acid.

Unlike many saturated fats, C15 appears to:

• support cell membrane integrity

• improve mitochondrial function

• reduce inflammatory signalling

• activate AMPK and PPAR pathways involved in metabolic regulation

• improve triglyceride, cholesterol and metabolic markers

These mechanisms are highly relevant for menopausal health.

Why C15 Matters in Menopause

As women transition through menopause, multiple changes occur simultaneously:

• membranes become less flexible

• mitochondrial efficiency declines

• inflammation increases

• cholesterol metabolism shifts

• metabolic risk rises

C15 may help support:

Cell Membrane Health

By integrating into membranes and helping maintain structure and flexibility.

Mitochondrial Function

Many symptoms attributed to menopause—fatigue, brain fog, weight changes—have mitochondrial roots.

Inflammation Balance

Chronic, low-grade inflammation commonly increases after menopause and contributes to cardiovascular risk.

Healthier Lipid Profiles

Emerging evidence suggests C15 may help improve key metabolic markers associated with a heart health including cholesterol numbers.

The Book: A Brief Review

The Longevity Nutrient explores the science behind C15, positioning it as a key player in:

• metabolic regulation

• cellular resilience

• healthy ageing

What stands out is the focus on mechanisms rather than hype. The book connects C15 to pathways involved in cell membrane structure, mitochondrial efficiency, inflammation and metabolic health.

Where I see the greatest opportunity is applying these insights to midlife women, a group whose unique physiology is often overlooked in longevity research.

Practical Ways to Support C15 Levels

Natural sources of C15 include:

• full-fat dairy from grass-fed animals

• butter and ghee

• certain fish

However:

• modern farming practices

• reduced consumption of full-fat dairy

• dietary preferences

• intolerances

mean many women consume far less C15 than previous generations.

Supplement options are emerging, but research is ongoing. Personalised guidance is recommended, particularly when cholesterol or cardiovascular health is a concern.

Where Does C15 Fit in a Whole-Body Menopause Strategy?

It is not a stand-alone solution.

C15 is one piece in a broader approach that includes:

• nutrition

• movement

• sleep

• stress regulation

• toxin reduction

• mitochondrial support

• cell membrane health

• inflammation management.

Supporting cholesterol metabolism holistically is far more effective than focusing on a single nutrient or number.

My Clinical Perspective

In clinic, I see many women distressed by unexpected cholesterol changes. They often feel judged or told their only option is medication, without exploring:

• why their cholesterol has shifted

• what their body may be signalling

• how to support underlying physiology

Understanding cholesterol’s structural and hormonal roles, along with the emerging research on C15, provides a more empowering framework.

When we support the body at a cellular level, we often see improvements in:

• cholesterol patterns

• energy

• mood

• metabolic health

• brain function

Next Steps

If this topic resonates with you and you’d like to explore:

• why your cholesterol has changed

• whether C15 may be relevant for you

• how to support metabolic and cellular health naturally

I invite you to book a consultation or consider joining Natural Menopause Mastery.

Together, we can take a comprehensive, personalised approach to your health during this transition.

Other cholesterol resources

 The Great Cholesterol Myth

Interview with Dr Jonny Bowden - Youtube (also podcast # 150)

LDL Cholesterol