The effect of DPFM on serum lipids in normo- and hyperlipaemic subjects. A preliminary report

The effect of DPFM on the serum lipid levels of both normo- and hyperlipaemic male subjects consuming and average South African diet was studied. After 6 weeks on DPFM the mean fall in the serum total cholesterol (TC) level os the hypercholesterolaemic group was 15,2% and that in the normal subjects 12%. In 13 of the 15 patients with hypertriglyceridaemia the mean fall in the serum triglyceride level was 29%. The triglyceride response in normal subjects was variable, but the highest level attained (1,15 mmol/l) lay well within the normal reference range for this group. The low density lipoprotein cholesterol level fell in every density lipoprotein cholesterol level fell in every subject. In normal subjects the mean decrease was 14,1% while in the hypercholesterolaemic group it was 17,8%. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) did not alter significantly in either group, but the HDL-C/TC ratio increased in all cases. In normal subjects the mean increase was 17,8%, whereas in hyperlipaemic patients it was 21,7%. Six weeks after discontinuation of DPFM the serum lipids had returned to their baseline values in *5% of subjects. The palatability of DPFM was confirmed in all cases.