Lifestyle modifications

NUTRITION

  • Limit intake of saturated fat to < 7% of daily calories (1)
  • Limit intake of trans fat to < 1% (1)
  • Limit intake of dietary cholesterol to < 300mg / day (1)
  • Increase the intake of fiber, complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats (1)
  • Soy supplementation reduces LDL-C (1)
  • Mediterranean diet and low fat diets may reduce LDL-C up to 19 – 30% (1)
  • Plant stanols/sterols (1)
  • Hypertriglyceridemia lifestyle related risk factors: Excessive alcohol intake, high intake of saturated fats, sugar, high glycemic index foods (2)
  • Hypertriglyceridemia: Avoid alcohol, adopt to a low fat diet, avoid simple carbohydrates, weight loss
  • Lacto-ovo vegetarian diet: – 10-15% LDL reduction (3)
  • Vegan diet: – 15-25% LDL reduction (3)
  • Combination diet (vegetarian diets with additional fiber, soy and nuts): – 20-35% LDL reduction (3)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

  • Regular aerob physical activity (1)
  • Hypertriglyceridemia lifestyle factors: Sedentary lifestyle (2)

WEIGHT

  • Weight reduction if obese (1)
  • Hypertriglyceridemia lifestyle factors: Obesity (2)

SMOKING

  • Smoking cessation is recommended (1)

Resources

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

Figure: Evidence pyramid

​Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD font

​Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE font

​Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in PLAIN font

​Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE font