Original Paper

Selected Parameters of Lipid Metabolism in Young Vegetarians
M. Krajoviová-Kudláková, R. imoni, A. Béderová, R. Ondreika, J. Klvanová

Research Institute of Nutrition, Bratislava, Slovakia

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 1994;38:331-335 (DOI: 10.1159/000177830)

  Key Words

• Vegetarians
• Cholesterol
• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Atherogenic index
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Plasma fatty acid profile
• Conjugated dienes
• Catalase activity

  Abstract

Selected parameters of lipid metabolism (cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, atherogenic index, triacylglycerols, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin E/cholesterol, plasma fatty acid profile) and pro-oxidative/anti-oxidative parameters (conjugated dienes of fatty acids, activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase) were estimated in blood of 59 healthy vegetarians aged 19-30 years. When compared to non-vegetarians, no incidence of obesity, low levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, atherogenic index or triacylglycerols, HDL cholesterol levels on the margin of 1.4 mmol/l (boundary level between standard and reduced risk) as well as a higher plasma content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a higher 18:2/18:1 ratio were all favourable consequences of vegetarianism with respect to atherosclerosis prevention. These factors are completed by higher levels of protective compounds with antisclerotic activity (vitamin C, vitamin E/cholesterol - protecting LDL from lipoperoxidation) as well as by beneficial pro-oxidative/anti-oxidative parameters (low values of conjugated dienes, significantly higher activity of catalase, higher level of vitamin C).

Copyright © 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Marica Krajoviová-Kudláková, PhD, Research Institute of Nutrition, Limbová 14, 833 37 Bratislava (Slovak Republic)

  Article Information

Received: May 10, 1994
Accepted: August 22, 1994
Published online: November 20, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5