Dyslipidemia is elevation of plasma cholesterol and/or TGs or a low HDL level that contributes to the development of
atherosclerosis. Causes may be primary (genetic) or secondary. Diagnosis is by measuring plasma levels of
total cholesterol, TGs, and individual
lipoproteins. Treatment is dietary changes, exercise, and lipid-lowering drugs.
Certain changes in lifestyle can have a positive impact on raising HDL levels:
* Aerobic exercise
* Weight loss
*
Smoking cessation
* Supplements like Omega 3 fish oil
* Removing trans fatty acids from the diet
* Adding monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to the diet
* Drinking 1–2 servings of alcoholic beverages per day
* Adding soluble fiber to diet
* Limiting intake of dietary fat to 30–35% of total calories.
Eat a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet. This kind of diet includes cottage cheese, fat-free milk, fish (not canned in oil), vegetables, poultry, egg whites, and polyunsaturated oils and margarines (
corn, safflower, canola, and soybean oils). Avoid foods with excess fat in them such as meat (especially
liver and fatty meat), egg yolks, whole milk, cream, butter, shortening, lard, pastries, cakes, cookies, gravy, peanut butter, chocolate, olives, potato chips, coconut, cheese (other than cottage cheese), coconut oil, palm oil, and fried foods.
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