High fiber diet in hyperlipemia. Comparison with cholestyramine treatment in type IIA hyperlipoproteinemia.

Fourteen patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia were treated with a high fiber intake (powdered cellulose or soy hulls or both) for six months. Eight of the patients were treated with 16 g of cholestyramine resin daily without the high fiber intake for an additional six months. The cholesterol intake was comparable in both treatment programs. The mean serum cholesterol levels decreased during both, but the decrease occurred and was more pronounced in all patients treated with cholestyramine. Responsiveness to the high fiber diet was not related to an increased responsiveness to cholestyramine treatment. In most patients the serum triglyceride levels increased, and the fasting plasma glucose level did not change substantially during either treatment program. Both regimens were free of adverse side effects.