High fiber diet in hyperlipemia. Comparison with cholestyramine treatment in type IIA hyperlipoproteinemia
P. J. Palumbo, E. R. Briones and R. A. Nelson
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.