Weight Loss and Serum Lipid Changes in Obese Subjects Given Low Calorie Diets of Varied Cholesterol Content

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Abstract
The effects of different 900 Calorie diets upon weight loss and the serum lipid levels was studied in 6 profoundly obese adults (mean initial weight of 348 lbs) confined to a metabolic ward. Of 3 consecutive dietary periods, period I was 1 week of general diet. Both subsequent dietary periods, of 3 to 4 weeks duration, provided 900 Calories (fat 40, protein 65, carbohydrate 70 grams), and differed only in cholesterol content (period II with 1, 400 mg cholesterol daily and period HI cholesterol-free). Weight loss occurred predictably and constantly at the rate of 4 to 7 lbs/week in all subjects. The serum cholesterol level of each subject declined abruptly with caloric restriction despite a high cholesterol intake of 1,400 mg/day. The mean serum cholesterol change was 54 mg/100 ml. Serum triglycerides fell concomitantly (mean change, 55 mg/100 ml). In the subsequent dietary period (cholesterol-free) the serum lipids showed no further change. In these obese subjects, negative caloric balance had a greater influence upon the serum lipid levels than did the cholesterol content of the diet. These results are in striking contrast to the well-established hypercholesterolemic effect of 1, 400 mg of dietary cholesterol in subjects receiving isocaloric diets. The mechanism of these differences is not known.

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