The role of the apo E polymorphism in the removal of remnants of very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons was studied after a carbohydrate-rich diet in 10 healthy normolipidemic volunteers with different apo E phenotypes during 7 days. The cholesterol concentration in the heparin-sepharose bound part of the VLDL + IDL fraction (d < 1.019 g/ml) was taken as an estimate of the remnant concentration. Before and after carbohydrate-rich diet retinyl palmitate, mixed with cream, was consumed by each subject the evening before the fasting venepuncture to quantify the removal of chylomicron remnants. After the diet there was a comparable mean rise in the three groups in serum and in very low density lipoprotein triglycerides of about 30% and 50%, respectively. The concentration of remnants of very low density lipoproteins increased slightly in all subjects. The concentration of retinyl palmitate in the d < 1.019 g/ml fraction was 20% lower than before this diet in the E-2 homozygous subjects. In the other two groups, however, 25 to 80% higher retinyl palmitate levels were found. It is concluded, that after a carbohydrate-rich diet there is only a slight increase of very low density lipoprotein remnants, independent of the apo E polymorphism. The removal of chylomicron remnants, however, seems to be facilitated in E-2 homozygous subjects, in contrast to a slower removal in the groups with other apo E phenotypes.