High cholesterol poses many health risks, primarily heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Lowering your cholesterol reduces your chance of developing these conditions. Reducing your cholesterol levels requires making dietary and lifestyle changes; for some people, medications are also necessary. The TLC diet is an intensive therapy for those with high levels of low-density lipoprotein, LDL, cholesterol. Broken down into three phases, its results vary according to your level of commitment.
The TLC Diet
The American Heart Association fully supports the TLC diet, brain child of the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). It was created in an effort to reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack due to high cholesterol. The program combines weight management, low-fat eating, physical activity and, when necessary, medication, to lower your cholesterol. You can reduce your cholesterol, but you must commit yourself fully to the program, adhering strictly to its guidelines.
Phase One
Phase one lasts six weeks and requires you to reduce your intake of saturated fats to 7 percent of your daily caloric intake. This varies for each person, especially if weight management is part of your treatment. Saturated fats occur in red meat, organ meat, whole-fat dairy products, eggs, vegetable oil and butter. Consume no more than 200 mg of dietary cholesterol per day, and moderately increase your physical activity. Your doctor may advise a 30-minute walking program five days a week, or 10-minutes each day until you become stronger. Increasing your fiber intake between 5 and 10 g per day may help reduce your calorie intake. This can aid in weight loss.
Phase Two
Phase two lasts six weeks as well and reinforces your reduction of saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet. You continue to increase your intake of fiber but may now add plant sterols and stanols. These natural substances are found in nuts, seeds, vegetables, legumes and some cereals. They help lower cholesterol, but the amount contained in their natural form is too small to make an impact on your cholesterol levels. Therefore, certain food products, such as spreads, milk, yogurt and juices, are now fortified with them. The NHLBI recommends consuming 2 g per day for maximum efficacy.
Results
Upon completion of the 12 weeks on the TLC program, your cholesterol may drop between 20 and 30 percent. This is contingent on you following all the dietary and lifestyle recommendations. Your doctor will determine if you need a cholesterol-lowering medication. If this is the case, doctor visits may occur every four to six months thereafter.
Medication Efficacy
The efficacy of cholesterol-lowering medication varies according to the medication you take. Statins, for instance, may take up to six weeks before you experience maximum results, while ezetimibe can take only two weeks. This does not mean your cholesterol levels drop immediately. Combining the medication with the TLC diet increases the rate at which your LDL cholesterol is reduced. Additionally, it helps keep your medication at the lowest possible dose, which may decrease your chances of experiencing side effects from the drug.
