I think I'll throw in my own anecdote here, since a relationship with HDL, triglycerides and heart disease was mentioned.
3 years ago I was pushing nearly 300 pounds. What I didn't know was that I was a ticking time bomb because throughout my life I was completely unaware of just how low my HDL was. For those who don't understand how this works, your HDL (also known as the "good cholesterol") effectively clears the presence of LDL in your blood that is responsible for the plaque that collects on the artery walls. Minimum HDL is considered about 40 MG/DL. Most people are around 50 or more. Mine was measured at 18.
I didn't know this until I began to experience chest pain while riding a bike on Super Bowl Sunday, 2003. A trip to the hospital revealed a 99% blocked coronary artery. I was on borrowed time. Fortunately I already had a mindset to improve my health. Since that time I significantly reduced the amount of saturated fat in my diet, and focused primarily on complex carbohydrates, plant protein and monounsaturated fats with some polyunsaturated fats. I've been eating meat sparingly dining primarily on fish and some chicken (no skin!). I'm down to 190 pounds and I've been there for about a year now (still want to drop another 10 -15). 3 years ago my LDL was 155, HDL was 18, and triglycerides over 200. January of last year my LDL was 100, HDL was 27, and triglycerides was 131. My diet has remained the same for the past three years. The only change I made was to markedly increase my exercise regimen last January. Now my LDL is 76 and my HDL is 36 (without any cholesterol lowering drugs). In addition to that, my at rest heart rate is now 45 bpm. Exercise plays a
significant role on your cholesterol.
Finally, every year I undergo a treadmill stress test to my MHR (170 bpm last August) and to image my coronary arteries. The last imaging showed an increase volume of blood and a reduction in my blood pressure. It's expected that I'll be off blood pressure medication by next August. Currently I ride between 100 and 150 miles/week, and workout 60 minutes 6 days a week in the gym (mostly elliptical trainer). My goal this year is to complete the Tour of the California Alps in July (129 miles and 15000+ climbing in one day). I never thought I'd say this but I really like climbing!
Oh, yeah, I'm 50 years young.