Successful Treatment of Severe Hypertriglyceridemia with a Formula Diet Rich in Omega–3 Fatty Acids and Medium-Chain Triglycerides

Abstract

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 ω–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. Conclusion: This diet was successfully used as an acute treatment in severe hypertriglyceridemia and showed effectiveness in rapidly and safely lowering plasma triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Disease

“…In subjects with very high triglyceride levels or a history of triglyceride-induced pancreatitis, additional dietary considerations include complete abstinence from alcohol, the nutrition practices listed above, the possible use of MCTs 528 and pharmacological therapies (see also Tables 11 and 12). The subject of medication and triglycerides is still lacking crucial clinical trial evidence.…”

Current knowledge of hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis

“…Both unsaturated and saturated fats should be limited. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT), which are also capable of decreasing TG levels effectively [73][74][75], should be added in order to give sufficient calories [15]. There are isolated cases indicating that inhibition of pancreatic lipase with Orlistat can reduce TG and avoid recurrent abdominal pain and AP [76].…”

“…If obesity is present, as habitual, body weight reduction is suggested with a low-calorie diet [82]. Most patients after an episode of HTG-AP need a combination of drugs, such as fibrates [83] and omega-3 fatty acids [74,84,85] to reduce fasting TG. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce serum TG in a dose-dependent manner, and doses as high as 12 g per day are prescribed [86].…”

Effect of a specific supplement enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic status of ear, nose and throat cancer patients

“…The levels of urea increased significantly in both groups, more so than in the specific supplement patients, during and after the RT. The rate of urea production is an indicator of net protein catabolism, which increases significantly during periods of severe metabolic stress (28). In addition, urea production (28) and levels of uric acid (29) increase with the advancing tumor state.…”