title: Plasma fatty acid profile and prooxidative-antioxidative parameters in vegetarians.
abstract: Fatty acid profile in plasma was examined in 12 adult vegetarians (lacto and lacto-ovo) aged 41-63 years with an average period of vegetarian nutrition of 9.8 years. Difference in the content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in vegetarians was insignificant (compared to non-vegetarians). Positive factor of vegetarian nutritional habit with respect to atherosclerosis included significantly elevated content of linoleic acid (C 18:2) and linolenic acid (C 18:3), as well as unchanged or only slightly reduced content of polyunsaturated fatty acids--arachidonic acid (C 20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (C 22:6, n = 3). Favourable values of prooxidative-antioxidative parameters (significantly reduced content of conjugated dienes of fatty acids in plasma, significantly higher plasma levels of vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E/cholesterol--indicator of LDL protection and vitamin E/triacylglycerols--indicator of fatty acid protection) demonstrated a reduced risk of lipoperoxidation in vegetarians.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Nutrition, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krajcovicová-Kudlácková
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Simoncic
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Béderová
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klvanová
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Babinska
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grancicová
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D016877:Oxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid