The norm seems to be that cholesterol raises, but there are some individuals that have no problem at all. The other effect is that the ratio of good to bad cholesterol becomes favored on the bad side. For example, I have no problem with total levels. My level is 129, which is just below the lower limit where doctors like you to be. However, my good to bad ratio shows bad cholesterol to be making up most of that number. The nurse told me that I can bring the bad number down by exercising, lol. As if I got this body by sitting on the couch doing nothing...