Blood lipid distribution of hyperinsulinemic men consuming three levels of fructose.

Twelve carbohydrate-sensitive men selected due to their abnormally high insulin responses to a sucrose load and 12 men with normal insulin responses were fed diets containing 0, 7.5, and 15% fructose for 5 wk each in a cross-over design. The diets contained 43% total carbohydrate, 42% fat, and 15% protein. Initial fasting total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in the hyperinsulinemic men than in the controls. Diastolic blood pressure was not affected by diet, but systolic blood pressure was slightly higher after the men consumed the 0% fructose diet. Free fatty acids were not different. Total plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher after the men consumed 7.5 and 15% fructose than when they consumed the 0% fructose diet. Plasma triglyceride increased significantly as fructose in the diets of the hyperinsulinemics increased, but was not affected in the controls. These changes in blood lipids are associated with heart disease.