Key result
Serum triglycerides correlate better with heart disease than cholesterol, though high dietary variability limits clinical utility.
Observational
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Repeated measurements of the fasting and 2-hour postprandial serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride) of "normal" [see table in the PDF file] subjects and subjects with atherosclerotic heart disease when consuming diets of high-, low-, or "normal"-fat content have been made. Triglyceride levels correlated better with the clinical diagnosis of heart disease than did cholesterol or phospholipid levels. The wide fluctuations in triglyceride levels in the same [see table in the PDF file] subject (normal or atherosclerotic) when on a "normal self-selected" diet and the unexpected findings when a short-term (3-day) period of dietary fat manipulation render the value of random triglyceride levels as an indictator of the presence or likely development of atherosclerotic heart disease of little or no value in the individual subject.
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Cromie et al. (1963) conducted an observational in Atherosclerotic heart disease. Dietary fat manipulation (high-, low-, or normal-fat content) and serum lipid measurement vs. Normal self-selected diet / normal subjects was evaluated on Correlation of fasting and 2-hour postprandial serum lipids (cholesterol, phospholipid, and triglyceride) with clinical diagnosis of atherosclerotic heart disease. Serum triglyceride levels correlated better with heart disease diagnosis than cholesterol or phospholipids, but wide intra-individual fluctuations during 3-day diet changes limit individual utility.
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