A recent article published in the JAMA Cardiology journal describes a case of a man from Florida who ended up in the intensive care unit after three weeks of yellow spots appearing on his skin, arms, legs, and soles. The doctors diagnosed the man with xanthomas – a condition in which excess fats in the blood exit blood vessels and form local fatty deposits.
As the authors report, this case highlights the influence of dietary habits on lipid levels and the importance of monitoring cholesterol levels in the blood to prevent complications. The man's total cholesterol level exceeded 1000 mg/dL, while the optimal level is considered to be less than 200 mg/dL and 240 mg/dL is the minimum threshold for elevated cholesterol.
The man, who was around forty years old at the time, told doctors that he had started following a "meat diet" eight months prior. His regimen included consuming from two to four kilograms of cheese and pieces of fat each day, along with additional fats. He insisted that since that time he had started to lose weight, improved his digestion, and had "clear thinking."
Although xanthomas are not always associated with elevated cholesterol and heart disease, increased total cholesterol levels are closely linked with serious heart disease. Doctors noted that before switching to a fatty diet, the patient's cholesterol level ranged from 210 to 300 mg/dL.
Cardiologists indicate that it is important to monitor cholesterol levels and watch dietary intake to avoid similar complications.