Should you increase HDL, and how?
Here's my assessment of the current evidence. If you are at increased risk for atherosclerosis (for instance, because of high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking), or if you already have significant atherosclerosis in the arteries of your heart and brain, you should try to increase your HDL levels, if they are low. The medication-free way to do that is by doing regular exercise (like half an hour of brisk walking, at least five days per week), maintaining a healthy weight, and eating right.
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