Dietary Management of Dyslipidemia

Core Dietary Modifications

The American Heart Association recommends restricting saturated fatty acids to <7% of total energy intake and dietary cholesterol to <200 mg/day, while increasing soluble fiber to 10-25 g/day and adding plant stanols/sterols at 2 g/day to lower LDL cholesterol 1, 2
Limiting trans fatty acids intake is recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease 1, 3, 4
Reducing dietary cholesterol to <200 mg/day can help lower LDL cholesterol, as recommended by the American College of Cardiology 1, 2, 5, 3
Replacing saturated fat with either carbohydrates or monounsaturated fats can produce similar LDL cholesterol reductions, according to the American Heart Association 1, 2, 3
Increasing viscous fiber to 10-25 g/day and plant stanols/sterols to 2 g/day can help lower LDL cholesterol, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 1, 2, 3, 7
Each gram of soluble fiber can reduce LDL cholesterol by approximately 2.2 mg/dL, as reported by the American Heart Association 6, 5, 7

Supplementation with fish oils containing omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for persistent hypertriglyceridemia, according to the American Diabetes Association 1, 2, 3, 8
A Mediterranean-style diet framework, emphasizing vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, is recommended for general management, as suggested by the British Medical Journal 9
Total dietary fat should not exceed 30% of total calorie intake, as recommended by the American Heart Association 1, 2

Modest weight loss (5-10%) can produce significant lipid improvements, according to the American Diabetes Association 1, 2
Regular physical activity can reduce plasma triglycerides and improve insulin sensitivity, as reported by the American Heart Association 1, 2, 3, 7