LIPID AND LIPOPROTEIN RESPONSES OF HYPERTRIGLYCERIDÆMIC OUTPATIENTS TO A LOW-CARBOHYDRATE MODIFICATION OF THE A.H.A. FAT-CONTROLLED DIET

Abstract

13 non-obese men with hypertri-glyceridæmia were followed monthly during a year of dietary treatment. During the last six months a diet designed to lower serum levels of both triglyceride and cholesterol was prescribed. Carbohydrate intake was low (30% of total calories), cholesterol intake was low (259 mg. daily), and total fat intake was high (50% of calories) with a high polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S) ratio (3/2). Compared with baseline values, the diet caused significant reductions in the mean levels of triglyceride (by 96 mg. per dl.), cholesterol (by 28 mg. per dl.), pre-β-lipo-protein (by 65 mg. per dl.), and β-lipoprotein (by 84 mg. per dl.). Weight fell significantly (by 2 kg.) despite attempts to prevent this, but the triglyceride response appeared to be unrelated to the weight loss. These events are compared with the effects of the standard American Heart Association (A.H.A.) fat-controlled diet during the first six months in the same subjects, and during twelve months of treatment in a group of 28 men with normal serum-triglyceride concentrations. The chief effect of the standard A.H.A. diet appears to be a reduction of the level of 3-lipoprotein and that of carbohydrate restriction a lowering of pre-β-lipoprotein concentration. Our low carbohydrate modification of the standard A.H.A. diet is acceptable to outpatients and has a sustained capacity to lower serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations.