Both work by inhibiting an obscure molecule called the cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) that works indirectly to prevent HDL from being used to create low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the bad cholesterol.

FORBES: Magazine Article

But high triglycerides and low HDL the other components that are measured in a standard cholesterol blood test are a hallmark reflection of the poor diets and sedentary lifestyles that researchers say are behind the wide prevalence of obesity among both children and adults.

WSJ: Heart-Attack Risk Starts Younger

"The system is set up so that the HDL high density lipoproteins, or artery-cleaning or 'good' cholesterol, cleans out the LDL low density lipoproteins, or 'bad' cholesterol, " she explains.

CNN: Understanding the cholesterol numbers game