I'm 45-years-old and I have lost almost 90 pounds in the past year. My total cholesterol has gone from 212 to 199, my hdl and ldl ratios have improved, and my triglycerides are an outstanding 52! My blood pressure has also gone down into the normal range without medication. If you are concerned about your heart, I advice staying away from all the lowcarb junk food -- bars and shakes and artificial sugars. I eat lots of vegetables (cooked and salads), fish, meat, chicken, eggs, and olive oil. I eat small quantities of butter, nuts, berries, and melons. Those foods are the mainstay of my diet. I also exercise a lot -- walking and swimming. My doctor, who was very concerned about me a year ago, says that all my current statistics put me in the "below average" risk category for heart disease.