Dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Diet is the first line of treatment for hypercholesterolemia. Patients should be encouraged to make simple and stepwise changes in their diets to lower elevated cholesterol levels. General dietary guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) Step-One Diet include limiting the amount of total fat to less than 30% of total calories, decreasing cholesterol intake to less than 300 mg/day, and adjusting caloric intake to levels required to attain or maintain ideal body weight. Diets must be individualized to meet therapeutic needs within the limits of the patient's abilities, knowledge, and motivation.