Dietary and lifestyle treatment and medication therapy complement each other in the management of lipid metabolism disorders. Even those using medication therapy benefit from lifestyle management. Effective lifestyle management reduces the need for medication therapy. The general principles for promoting heart health through lifestyle management are:
Eating a varied diet
Moderation in alcohol consumption
An energy intake and expenditure ratio suitable for weight loss goals and weight management
Limited use of saturated (hard) fat
Moderate use of unsaturated (soft) fat
High fiber intake
Limited use of added sugar, sugary beverages, and low-fiber grain products
Limited salt use
Non-smoking
Endurance exercise training reduces plasma triglyceride concentrations and increases HDL cholesterol concentration. Strength training slightly reduces total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Combining endurance and strength training is more effective.