Intervention	Comments, examples	Evidence rating*	References	Additional resources
Reduce intake of saturated fats and trans fats	Limit saturated fats to less than 7 percent of calories; eliminate trans fats	C	2–5	http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=532 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/15/1601
Increase intake of poly-and monounsaturated fats	Replace saturated fats and trans fats with poly- and monounsaturated fats	C	2–5	http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat/NU00262
Increase intake of soluble fiber	3 oz oats per day; psyllium supplement	C	2, 3, 6	http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4574
Isocalorically increase consumption of tree nuts	1.5 oz almonds, walnuts, or pecans per day	C	3, 10, 11	http://www.nuthealth.org/consumer/gonuts.pdf http://www.vegan.org.nz/nuts.php
Increase intake of soy protein	1.5 oz soy protein per day; tofu and soy foods to replace meat	C	2, 3, 12	http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56308 http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/low-cholesterol-soy-protein
Limit alcoholic drinks to one or two per day	One drink per day for women; two per day for men	C	2, 3, 13	http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4422
Increase intake of plant stanols and sterols	1 oz Promise Activ or Benecol spread per day	C	2, 3, 15	http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/women/sterolstanol.aspx http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/low-cholesterol-diet-plant-sterols-stanols
Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources	6 oz of salmon or tuna twice per week; EPA/DHA supplement on other days	C	2, 3, 16	http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/good-fat-bad-fat-facts-about-omega-3
Follow a Mediterranean diet	Olive oil is main dietary fat; moderate wine consumption; limited amounts of red meat, dairy products, eggs, and poultry; increased amounts of vegetables, whole grains, fish, and tree nuts	C	2, 26	http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet/CL00011 http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4644
Follow the Portfolio Diet	Mainly vegetarian diet with soy and other vegetable proteins, plant sterols, almonds, and soluble fiber	C	2, 3, 28	http://preventdisease.com/home/tips34.shtml http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/portfolio-diet-recipe-for-lower-cholesterol
Engage in aerobic exercise	At least 120 minutes per week	C	2, 3, 29–31	http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/features/exercise-to-lower-cholesterol