Factor |
Recommendation |
Approximate SBP reduction |
Approximate LDL-C reduction |
Sodium intake |
Reduce to no more than 2, 300 mg or 6 g of sodium chloride daily. |
2 – 8 mm Hg |
- |
Saturated fat intake |
Reduce to no more than 7% of calories |
- |
8 – 10% |
Dietary cholesterol |
Reduce to no more than 200 mg per day |
- |
3 – 5% |
Adopt DASH eating plan |
Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products with a reduced content of total and saturated fat. |
8 – 14 mm Hg |
- |
Viscous fiber |
Increase intake to 5–10 g per day |
- |
3 – 5% |
Plant sterols/stanols |
Increase intake to 2 g per day |
- |
6 – 15% |
Soy protein* |
Increase intake to 20-50 g per day |
- |
3 – 5% (7-10%)† |
Weight reduction |
Achieve and maintain a normal body weight
(BMI: 18.5 – 24.9 kg/m2) |
5 – 20 mm Hg/10 kg weight loss |
5 – 8% / 4.5 kg weight loss |
Physical activity |
Achieve regular aerobic physical activity for at least 30 min each day, for 5 days each week. |
4 – 9 mm Hg |
- |
Alcohol consumption |
Limit consumption to no more than 2 drinks per day for men, and no more than 1 drink per day for women. |
2 – 4 mm Hg |
- |
Cumulative estimate |
|
Suggestive evidence for a cumulative response |
24 – 37% |
Adapted and reproduced from the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood
Cholesterol in Adults - Adult Treatment Panel III [60]