[Treatment of extreme obesity with a very low calorie diet].

BACKGROUND

This paper presents the results of treatment of very obese persons with a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD).

METHODS

A group of 28 extremely obese subjects, average age 32 years, was treated in the course of one month by the following regime: 3-4 l of mineral water with "Enemon" pulv. 3 x 1 and vitamin substitution and allopurinol 300 mg/day.

RESULTS

In addition to a statistically significant (p < 0.5) loss of body mass, significant changes were observed in regard to decrease of atherogenic lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, apoprotein B), as well as lowered level of hyperinsulinism which, though, was not statistically significant. The degree of protein catabolism did not reach statistical significance, and the results were also more favourable with respect to potential changes in electrolytes, as well as with respect to the degree of hyperuricemia in regard to subjects being under the regime of total starvation.

CONCLUSIONS

VLCD represents an extremely efficient and safe therapeutic procedure which, apart from body mass loss, is characterized by favourable changes in metabolism of lipids and a decrease in hyperinsulinism, which eventually results in reduction of the risk from early and accelerated atherosclerosis.