The effects of carbohydrate, fat and total energy adjustment of Fredrickson's type IIb hyperlipoproteinaemia.

Fifteen patients with Fredrickson's type IIb hyperlipoproteinaemia were subjected to a 10-week dietary study during which time qualitative and quantitative alterations were carried out on the fat, carbohydrate and energy content of the diet. Significant reduction was observed in fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels on substitution of polyunsaturated for saturated fat, and on total fat restriction. No changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels were observed when dietary sucrose was replaced with complex carbohydrate, or when there was total carbohydrate restriction. The possible practical applications of these observations are discussed.