[Cardiac effects of a reducing diet].

40 in-patients have been treated by modified fasting during 4 weeks. Routine ECG's and radiological controls of heart size did not show signs of myocardial lesions or of an impairment of the generation, propagation or dissipation of cardiac impulse. Slightly elevated serum levels of CK, CK-MB, alpha-HBDH, SGOT, and SGPT could indicate a reduction of fat-free body-mass including some elements of myocardium. Potassium and magnesium levels should be controlled and sometimes corrected by ingestion of electrolyte preparations. Under the conditions described and with the methods we used, we could not demonstrate an increased cardiac risk during a weight reduction cure by modified fasting of moderate duration. This should also apply to low-calorie diets with a deficit of about 1000 cal./day, whilst total fasting and the substitution with protein preparations of poor nutritional value must be considered as risky procedures.