Focus on the "Good"

Harvard Women’s Health Watch suggests several things people can do to nudge up HDL levels:

Get aerobic exercise. Moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise can boost HDL by 5 to 10 percent. Aim for five 30-minute sessions per week.

Lose weight if you need to. If you're overweight or obese, you can boost your HDL level by about 1 mg/dL for every seven pounds lost, although any amount of weight loss will help.

If you smoke, quit. HDL levels rise by as much as 15 to 20 percent after you quit.

Eat a healthy diet. Avoid trans fats, which increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol. Avoid highly refined carbohydrates, such as white-flour products.

Consider medications. Niacin, available over the counter, is the most effective HDL-raising medication available.

Want to learn more about keeping your cholesterol in check? Take a look at our latest cholesterol article!