Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose from a substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and a substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde in the presence of an aldolase and water, the reaction between the substituted or unsubstituted carbonyl compound with at least 2 carbon atoms and at least one ?-hydrogen atom and the substituted or unsubstituted aldehyde being carried out at a carbonyl concentration of at most 6 moles/l of reaction mixture and the final concentration of the 2,4-dideoxyhexose or the 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose being at least 2 mass % of the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to the use of a 2,4-dideoxyhexose or a 2,4,6-trideoxyhexose obtained by means of a process according to the invention in the preparation of a medicine, particularly in the preparation of a statine.