[Arteriosclerosis and cancer--fats or carbohydrates?].

The big field studies failed to yield the results expected from the lipid theory of arteriosclerosis. By only lowering the intake of animal fats and cholesterol (MRFIT) the death rate from cardiovascular disease was not significantly decreased whilst the use of strong drugs to lower the cholesterol level (LRC, Helsinki Heart) did not influence total mortality. The carbohydrate theory of arteriosclerosis according to epidemiological studies explains the results on the basis of evolutionary concepts through the different time spans a population had to adapt to the new foodstuff, carbohydrate appearing in the Neolithic Age. Studies on the effect of carbohydrates in humans are proposed.