The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) advocates the following Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) to lower serum LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) levels:
- Dietary cholesterol <200 mg per day
- Saturated fat <7% of total daily calories
- Increase soluble (viscous) fiber intake to 10 – 25 grams daily
- Consume at least 2 grams of plant stanols/sterols daily (not recommended for those with a condition called Sitosterolemia)
- Increased physical activity to at least 200 Kcal per day.
Macronutrient component of the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) recommended by NCEP ATP III include:
Macronutrient Recommendation
Carbohydrate 50 – 60% of total daily calories
Protein 15% of total daily calories
Fat 25 – 35% of total daily calories
Monounsaturated fat up to 20% of total daily calories
Polyunsaturated fat up to 10% of total daily calories
These therapeutic lifestyle changes, especially when combined with exercise, weight loss and smoking cessation, have been shown in lipid (Cholesterol) trials to reduce LDL-C (the bad cholesterol) and consequently, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke
