TLC refers to the National Cholesterol Education Program’s (NCEP) new multifaceted lifestyle approach to reducing risk for coronary heart disease (CHD).  This approach was introduced in the updated guidelines of the NCEP’s Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III), published in the May 16^th issue of JAMA. The main features of TLC are:

• Reduced intakes of saturated fats (<7% of total calories) and cholesterol (<200mg/day).
• Total fat intake in  the range of 25% to 35% of total daily calories provided that saturated fats and trans fats are kept low.  (Total fat intake in the range of 30% to 35% of daily calories can help reduce triglycerides and raise HDL cholesterol in patients with the metabolic syndrome, provided that most of the fat is in the form of unsaturated fats.)
• Therapeutic options for enhancing LDL lowering such as plant stanols/sterols (2g/day) and increased viscous fiber (soluble fiber) (10-25 g/d).
• Weight reduction
• Increased physical activity

Note: The TLC diet replaces the Step I and Step II diets recommended by previous NCEP guidelines.

Reference:  JAMA  2001; 285 (19): 2486-2497.