[Therapy of obesity with a balanced reducing diet]

Using 6 volunteers with obesity a carbohydrate accentuated balanced reduction diet (minimal diet) was investigated. The diet was composed per day of 50 g protein, 100 g carbohydrates, 11 g fat, distributed in five meals. Additionally, vitamins, electrolytes and trace elements are included in sufficient amounts. The ambulant volunteers were fully active during the dietary period which was without subjective side effects. During the dietary period a decrease in serum cholesterol and in triglycerides was found. The concentration of fatty acids and of kerone bodies was slightly elevated. Due to tubular acidosis, an increase in serum uric acid concentration was found, despite decreased renal loss of urate. Hyperinsulinemia due to obesity was normalized whereas glucose tolerance was not influenced to a greater extent during weight reduction diet. Whereas there are some quantitative metabolic alterations during carbohydrate accentuated minimal diet, these alterations are not alarming. The carbohydrate accentuated minimal diet is estimated to be optimum from the standpoint of a nutrionist. Reduction diets of alternative composition are judged to be inferior because of greater metabolic alterations.