A Lipid-Lowering Diet Combined with Exercise is Effective for Achieving Healthy Serum Cholesterol in a Male with a Predisposition for Developing Hyperlipidemia (Dyslipidemia): A 20-Year Case Study

This case-study presents data supporting the use of a combination of a lipid-lowering diet and physical aerobic exercise for achieving healthy levels of plasma triglycerides, serum total cholesterol as well as low-density and high-density lipoproteins. The blood lipid data were those of one of the authors (Y.S.) obtained from annual health testing results from 1988 to 2011. Y.S. was diagnosed with hyperlipidemia (dyslipidemia) in 1989 and decided to not take lipid-lowering drugs but rather follow a lipid-lowering diet developed by a clinical registered dietician. The test results showed that initially, the lipid-lowering diet assisted in the achievement of healthy plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. However, eight years after commencement of the lipid-lowering diet (in 1997) Y.S. had his second diagnosis of hyperlipidemia. He then included a daily walking program (no less than 10,000 steps per day, 5 to 6 days/week) and later indoor bike-peddling exercise (minimum of 30 min/day, 5 days/week) as part of his treatment plan and continued with his lipid-lowering diet. This new regimen was highly effective with Y.S. achieving and maintaining a healthy level of plasma triglyceride, serum total cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.