Changes in the intake of vitamins and minerals by men and women with hyperlipidemia and overweight during dietetic treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the influence of a low-fat, low-energy diet on the intake of vitamins and minerals in patients with overweight and hyperlipidemia.

METHODS

Outpatient clinic for hyperlipidemia treatment.

METHODS

A total of 134 subjects chosen from patients attending Outpatient Clinic of Metabolic Diseases.

METHODS

Patients were assigned to a hypolipidemic, low-energy diet of 4.18-6.27 MJ/day (1000 or 1500 kcal/day), where fat provided less than 30% of energy, saturated fatty acids less than 10% of energy and daily supply of cholesterol was below 300 mg. Dietary assessment with the use of 3 days dietary records were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks of the diet.

RESULTS

The implementation of a low-fat, low-energy diet resulted in a decrease of the intake of nutrients assessed, statistically significant for phosphorus, magnesium, iron and vitamin B(1), B(2) and niacin in men and for iron in women. No marked and statistically significant reduction in the percentage of the RDA was found, except magnesium, thiamin and riboflavin in men and iron in women. Nutritional density was statistically improved for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and vitamins E, C and B(6) in men and for all nutrients assessed in women.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with a habitual diet, the low-fat, low-energy diet did not cause any marked and statistically significant decrease in the intake of minerals and vitamins or in the adherence to the RDA, with the exception of magnesium, thiamin and riboflavin in men and iron in women.