Triglyceride Turnover After Diets Rich in Carbohydrate or Animal Fat

SUMMARY The influence on triglyceride turnover of diets rich in either carbohydrate or animal fat was studied in three normal men. A twofold to fourfold rise in plasma triglyceride concentration was brought about by the 3000 Calorie, 70% carbohydrate diet, but not by the 3000 Calorie, 50% animal fat diet. The turnover rate of palmitate in the triglycerides of very low density lipoproteins was greatly increased by the carbohydrate diet, but was not affected by the high fat diet. The carbohydrate‐induced rise in triglycerides was therefore associated with an increase in the synthesis of triglyceride. However, it was also found that diminished utilization contributed to the rise in triglyceride concentration. Characteristic changes in triglyceride fatty acid composition were observed after the carbohydrate diet. There was an absolute increase in the concentrations of palmitate, palmitoleate and oleate. Although there was a fall in the percentage content of linoleate, there was no change in the absolute linoleate concentration. The similarities in the findings obtained in this study and those described in hypertriglyceridæmic subjects with coronary heart disease suggest that excessive consumption of carbohydrate is responsible for the hypertriglyceridæmia of coronary heart disease.