Successful treatment of severe hypertriglyceridemia with a formula diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides.
BACKGROUND
Patients with highly increased plasma triglyceride levels are at risk of developing serious complications such as pancreatitis, coronary heart disease and stroke. Therefore it is important to rapidly decrease plasma triglyceride levels. A sufficient control of triglyceride levels with drugs like fibrates, statins or nicotinic acid can usually only be attained after a couple of weeks. Plasma exchange appears to be a fast but expensive method to reduce triglyceride levels. In this study we describe the use of a new omega-3 fatty acid and medium-chain triglyceride-rich formula diet as a therapeutic concept to reduce plasma triglyceride levels fast and effectively.


METHODS
Thirty-two patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia were treated with the especially composed formula diet for a period of 7 days.


RESULTS
Within this period of time, plasma triglycerides decreased from 1,601 (402-4,555) to 554 (142-2,382) mg/dl (p < 0.05). Total cholesterol levels were reduced from 417 (211-841) to 287 (165-457) mg/dl (p < 0.001). Fasting glucose and uric acid levels also slightly decreased (-8%; -12%). The formula diet as a 1-week treatment was well tolerated and accepted by the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This diet was successfully used as an acute treatment in severe hypertriglyceridemia and showed effectiveness in rapidly and safely lowering plasma triglyceride levels.
Third Medical Department and Policlinic, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Giessen, Germany.
Annette
A
Hauenschild
Reinhard G
RG
Bretzel
Henning
H
Schnell-Kretschmer
Hans-Ulrich
HU
Kloer
Philip D
PD
Hardt
Nils
N
Ewald
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D014527:Uric Acid