Not all cholesterol are "bad". There are these so-called "good" cholesterol or the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Basically, HDL particles are denser compared other types of cholesterol; hence the term high-density. Experts believe that high levels of HDL can reduce risk of heart disease by picking up excess cholesterol in your blood, and taking it back to the liver where it is broken down and removed from your body. Several interventions that tend to increase the levels of HDL include regular exercise (often a 60-minute moderate intensity aerobics) and proper diet. Avoid foods that are rich in trans fat such as cakes, cookies, and fried foods that tend to increase the level of bad cholesterol or the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.