title: Changing from a mixed to self-selected vegetarian diet--influence on blood lipids.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe any changes in serum concentrations of lipids, when UK meat-eaters switch to a self selected vegetarian diet for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study using capillary blood samples and 3-day estimated dietary diary.
  
  
  METHODS
  Free-living subjects in the North-West of England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve male and 31 female adult volunteers aged between 18 and 42 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum lipids; nutrient intake and anthropometric measurements at baseline and 6 months after switching to a self-selected vegetarian diet.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total energy intake and amount of energy derived from saturated fatty acids decreased significantly after changing to a vegetarian diet (P < 0.05) whereas energy derived from carbohydrate, and intakes of nonstarch polysaccharide intake increased. On switching to a vegetarian diet, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were not significantly changed, but HDL-C was 21% higher than at baseline (1.21 mmol L(-1) vs. 1.47 mmol L(-1); P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that beneficial changes to diet occurred on changing to a self-selected vegetarian diet. Changing to a self-selected vegetarian diet appears to be one way of achieving a better blood lipid profile.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, Community Studies and Leisure, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Hackett
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Billington
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stratton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol