therapeutic lifestyle changes review

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) is a three-part program that uses diet, physical activity, and weight management to lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) and risks for metabolic disease, heart disease, and other serious conditions. The program is designed to help individuals lower elevated health risks. The TLC program is endorsed by the American Heart Association and provides helpful tips and tools to lower high blood cholesterol. The program directs individuals to make common-sense changes that are the fundamentals of a healthy lifestyle, such as eating plenty of veggies, fruits, breads, cereals, pasta, and lean meats. The program also recommends less than 7 percent of daily calories from saturated fat, less than 200 mg a day of cholesterol, 25 to 35 percent of daily calories from total fat, only enough calories to reach or maintain a healthy weight, and at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, on most, and preferably all, days of the week. The TLC booklet provides information on cooking techniques and food swaps to lower calories and fat, how to spice up food to keep it tasty and interesting, label-reading tips to avoid hidden ingredients that may sabotage efforts, and an overview of different physical activities and how many calories they burn. The program is a sound therapeutic strategy for overweight or obese persons at risk for type 2 diabetes and/or coronary heart disease. However, there is no information available on the specific ingredients or materials used in the program.