American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 9, 752-759, Copyright © 1961 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

The Relationship Between Diet and Atherosclerosis in Ceylon

¹ From the Departments of Biochemistry and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ceylon, Colombo, Ceylon

If, therefore, the incidence of atherosclerosis in Ceylon is significant, as is suggested by the few autopsy cases cited, and by the findings of Fernando and Wijenaike, the dietary factors responsible might be either a high intake of carbohydrates or an insufficient intake of unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid which are believed to counteract the effect of relatively high intake of fatty acids such as lauric acid; or a combination of both factors might be responsible. A high intake of fat or of protein is not likely to be an etiologic factor. On the other hand the question has also been raised as to whether a deficiency of lipotropic factors may not lead to a fatty change in the intimal layer of the arteries and thus bring about an atheromatous change.