Treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia with 'type-specific' diets under metabolic ward conditions. Effects on serum lipoproteins and serum lipid esters.

Three lipid lowering diets for treatment of different types of hyperlipoproteinemia were prepared based on ordinary Swedish food. Seven different daily menus were planned with an identical composition at all energy levels. The fat and protein content provided 34-35% and 20% of the energy, respectively. The ratios between polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids varied in the three diets between 1.3 and 2.0. The cholesterol content was 0.14 g per 6.7 MJ. The effects of the diets were evaluated under isoenergetic conditions in 45 hyperlipoproteinemic patients during 2 weeks. The concentration of the very low density lipoprotein triglycerides decreased by 27-33%, the low density lipoprotein by 16-19% and the high density lipoprotein cholesterol by 5-13% compared with the concentrations during a preceding 2-week period on a control diet. No changes of the lipoprotein removal capacity indicated that the effects were mainly due to a reduced production of serum lipoproteins.