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]
Modified and adapted with permission from The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure [63]
*Sacks et al, 2006 [64]. †Jenkins et al, 2010 [65]
Table 1: Approximate Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and LDL Cholesterol (LDL-C) Reductions Achievable by Diet and Lifestyle Modifications.