It is an object of the present invention to provide a HDL
cholesterol-raising agent which can selectively raise or maintain HDL
cholesterol level, an LDL cholesterol-lowering agent which can
selectively lower LDL cholesterol level, a composition which can
selectively raise of maintain HDL cholesterol level, a method for raising
or maintaining HDL cholesterol level in blood and a method which can
raise or maintain HDL cholesterol level and lower LDL cholesterol level
in blood. Therefore, provided are a HDL cholesterol-raising agent and LDL
cholesterol-lowering agent containing an olive extract as an active
ingredient, a composition containing the HDL cholesterol-raising agent,
and a method for raising HDL cholesterol level and a method for raising
HDL cholesterol level and lowering LDL cholesterol level in which olive
extracts are administered to mammals.