Abstract

The increased adherence to a high-fat, high-sugar diet places stress on the metabolic system and leads to heart disease. Researchers in the field of lipidology have sought nonpharmaceutical options to attenuate chronic increased levels of free circulating triglycerides (TG). This narrative review concerns common practices and recommendations for researchers and practitioners seeking information relating to recommendations for methodologies and statistical practices. The information provided is of particular importance to persons with hidden postprandial lipemia, a progressive condition which is commonly overlooked in health evaluations. This concise review pays specific attention to Kilocalorie and Macronutrient content variability among commonly used oral fat tolerance tests (OFTT). As not all substrates metabolize in the same way, the composition of previously utilized OFTT should be scrutinized. Further attention is given to the aerobic and anerobic (resistance) training effects on metabolism. Regular adherence to an exercise program improves all measures of a lipid panel, including a reduction in TG, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) subfractions, and an accompanying increase in circulating high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and metabolic rate (oxygen consumption). This increased prescription of exercise, both aerobic and anaerobic, by a physician or primary care provider. This review also highlights discrepancies among OFTT methodologies and supports the need for a reliable OFTT.