[Effect of the PSMF diet on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in obese subjects]

The influence of weight reduction on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins was studied in 14 patients (8 females and 6 males) with varying degrees of obesity. After 4 weeks on hypocaloric diet (PSMF), an 8% weight loss was associated with a significant decrease in total cholesterol (18%), triglycerides (47%) and phospholipids (20%). No significant change was observed in HDL-cholesterol. The HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. The greatest decrease was observed in VLDL fractions. The decreases in apoprotein A and B were 19% and 15% respectively. These findings indicate that favourable changes in plasma lipoproteins are achieved after weight loss on hypocaloric diet.