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How can I raise my HDL ("good") cholesterol?

Answer:

  • Quit smoking. The more you smoke, the lower your HDL cholesterol is likely to be.
  • Lose weight if you're overweight. Being overweight is often associated with low HDL levels.
  • Increase physical activity. This has a slow but steady elevating effect on HDL, which tends to rise in direct proportion to the amount of physical activity per week.
  • In addition, postmenopausal women taking estrogen replacement therapy may also experience an increased HDL level.

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