Why is HDL the "Good Cholesterol"

QUESTION: Whenever the question of cholesterol is discussed, you read about
the importance of the HDL. I know that this is the "good cholesterol," but I
don't understand why. Can you enlighten me?
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ANSWER: HDL or high density lipoprotein is considered good because it has two
important actions that help when you have a high level of cholesterol. It has
the ability to carry excess cholesterol found in body tissue back to the
liver, where it undergoes a process of metabolism. It also helps remove
another type fatty substance called triglycerides by improving the process by
which they are removed from the blood circulation and oxidized by skeletal
muscle. You can improve your HDL with a regular exercise program, which is
even more effective if you are a nonsmoker. Alcohol in moderation (and I
stress the word "moderation") is also known to elevate HDL, but physicians
rarely recommend this as a means of increasing HDL levels because of the
possibility of alcohol abuse. While we are becoming evermore aware of our
cholesterol levels, many physicians now believe that the HDL level is equally
important in the consideration of an individual's overall health appraisal and
recommend blood tests which evaluate all of the blood lipids (fatty
materials).