The group on alternative diet consisted of 89 lacto-ovo-vegetarians (age 38.7 +/- 0.6 years, average duration of
vegetarianism 7.8 years). Control group on traditional diet (omnivores, n = 84) was formed as an average sample. Nutritional regime was determined using dietetic questionnaire on the food intake regularity. Vegetarians consume optimal amount of fat (along with recommendations of OVD) with predominance of vegetal
lipids. They have low intake of
cholesterol (62.8 mg), recommended ratio of
saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) 6.5:10.6:8.9 energetic percent. Their ratio of linolic:
alpha-linolenic acid (10.4:1) also corresponds with recommendations. In traditional diet, the content of
lipids and energy usually exceeds the norm of OVD (by 33% or 19% respectively),
cholesterol intake is much higher (512.2 mg, 200 mg is recommended as a maximum). Higher is the amount taken of SFA (11.2 energetic %, recommended 7%), and not sufficient is the intake of
alpha-linolenic acid (68% of OVD). People on alternative diet have low plasma levels of risk
lipid parameters and significantly higher levels of antisclerotic substances. As a result of significantly higher intake of fruits and vegetables,
plant oil, sprouts, seeds, and whole-grain food the plasma levels of antioxidative
vitamins are in vegetarians higher then threshold. It reduces the risk of the
free-radical disease. On the contrary, vegetarians have deficits in
methionine intake, and 15% of them have
hypoproteinemia is (0% in omnivores). Low plasma levels of
iron and
calcium, occurrence of hyposideremia (16% versus 2%) and
hypocalcemia (21% versus 8%) corresponds with intake of vegetal absorption inhibitors (fytolic
acid, oxalic acid,
roughage). Frequently a mild form of
hyperhomocysteinemia is found (28% versus 5%), resulting
vitamin B12 deficit.
CONCLUSIONS: