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Dietary Patterns & Nutrition Interventions for Individuals with Dyslipidemia

Last Updated: Friday, 16-Jan-2026 19:00:00 EST

The mission of the National Lipid Association (NLA) is “to enhance the science and practice of lipidology and promote optimal cardiometabolic health.” The NLA leadership acknowledges the publication of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs), which are used to inform dietary guidance and nutrition policies for the general population. The NLA leadership believes the publication of the DGAs provides an opportunity to reaffirm the dietary patterns and nutrition interventions recommended by the NLA for adults and children living with dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and cardiometabolic risk factors.

The 2025-2030 DGAs include many recommendations for the general population that also align with the recommendations outlined in the NLA Clinical Perspectives, “Nutrition Interventions for Adults with Dyslipidemia” and “Nutrition Interventions for Youth with Dyslipidemia.” These recommendations include dietary patterns that:

  • Emphasize whole, unprocessed, or minimally processed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes; healthful protein foods; and healthful fats;
  • Limit processed meats; highly processed foods, including refined grains, and foods and beverages with added sugars; and foods with a high sodium content;
  • Limit saturated fatty acid intake to less than 10% of total daily calories; and
  • Limit sodium intake to less than 2300 mg per day.

For individuals with dyslipidemia who are additionally at risk for ASCVD and other cardiometabolic risks, the NLA Clinical Perspectives for nutrition interventions for adults and youth with dyslipidemia provide further guidance and recommendations for clinicians. These recommendations remain consistent with the available scientific evidence.   

  • Dietary patterns and nutrition interventions should be tailored to address the specific needs and personal preferences of an individual.
  • For individuals with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the NLA recommendations include implementation of dietary factors that lower atherogenic lipoprotein particles (i.e., apolipoprotein B-containing particles), including:
    • Replacement of foods rich in saturated fatty acids with foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids;
    • Use of oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as non-tropical plant-based oils, in cooking, instead of solid fats, such as butter and coconut oil;
    • Replacement of refined carbohydrates with a mixture of healthful plant- and animal-based proteins; and
    • Increased consumption of foods rich in viscous, soluble fibers, such as oats, barley, and many fruits and vegetables.
  • For individuals with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, implementation of dietary factors that reduce the production of TG-rich lipoproteins, including:
    • Limit foods and beverages with added sugars;
    • Individualize total daily fat intake based on the underlying causes of TG elevation; some patients with severely elevated TG levels will require a low-fat diet; and
    • Limit alcohol intake; patients with TG levels ≥500 mg/dL should abstain completely.

Clinicians can access the full-text articles of the Clinical Perspectives for nutrition interventions for adults and youth with dyslipidemia, as well as infographics that summarize the recommendations, using the following links:

The NLA remains committed to ensuring that individuals, families, caregivers, and clinicians have the resources necessary to manage dyslipidemia, reduce ASCVD risk, and promote optimal cardiometabolic health.