Summary: Most of us should aim for moderation regarding serum levels ofHDL cholesterol

Conversely, they tend to say thatHDL cholesterol is "good" because it helps remove LDL cholesterol from the body.

Now research is showing that you can have too muchHDL cholesterol.

People withHDL cholesterol levels greater than 60 mg/dl had a nearly 50 per cent increased risk of dying from a cardiovascular cause or having a heart attack compared to those withHDL cholesterol levels 41-60 mg/dl.

HDL cholesterol has been considered 'good' because the HDL molecule is involved in the transport of cholesterol from the blood and blood vessel walls to the liver and ultimately out of the body, thereby reducing the risk of clogged arteries and atherosclerosis, the researchers explained.

However, the risk increased in people with low levels (less than 41 mg/dl) as well as very high levels (greater than 60 mg/dl) ofHDL cholesterol. People withHDL cholesterol levels greater than 60 mg/dl had a nearly 50 per cent increased risk of dying from a cardiovascular cause or having a heart attack compared to those withHDL cholesterol levels 41-60 mg/dl.

The researchers found that serum 25(OH)D was negatively associated with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol,HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides after adjustment for age and sex.

More specifically, above-average visit-to-visit variability in fasting triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, orHDL cholesterol in atorvastatin-treated patients with known coronary artery disease proved to be a strong and independent predictor of coronary and cardiovascular events in a post hoc analysis of the landmark Treating to New Targets (TNT) trial (N Engl J Med 2005;352: 1425-35).

While there is an overwhelming amount of evidence relating high levels of total LDL cholesterol and low level ofHDL cholesterol with coronary atherosclerosis, the relation between blood lipids and lipoproteins and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis is less clear.

Eating almonds on a regular basis may help boost levels ofHDL cholesterol while simultaneously improving the way it removes cholesterol from the body, according to researchers.