ERNAHRUNGSTHERAPIE DER HYPERLIPIDAMIEN

Elevated blood levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol are established risk factors for atherosclerotic disease. Hypertriglyceridemia is a less certain risk factor. An appropriate diet is the basic therapeutic measure in primary hyperlipidemias. In hypercholesterolemia total fat should be reduced and polyunsaturated fatty acids substituted for saturated, dietary cholesterol also should be limited, the body weight normalized. In hypertriglyceridemia the most important measure is the reduction of overweight, but in addition the consumption of alcohol and saccharose should be minimized. In combined hyperlipidemia a combination of these dietary measures is indicated. In rare hyperlipidemias special aspects must be considered. The relative importance of the different measures is discussed.