Women who did not develop metabolic syndrome typically had less belly fat and higher levels of "good" high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which unlike "bad" cholesterol is protective.

Another study suggests smoking cessation boosted high density lipoprotein cholesterol even though it was associated with weight gain.

Monounsaturated fat helps lower LDL and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol.