SELECTED PROOXIDATIVE - ANTIOXIDATIVE PARAMETERS IN BLOOD OF ADULT VEGETARIANS

Selected prooxidative - antioxidative parameters (conjugated dienes of fatty acids CD, vitamin C, vitamin E, catalase activity CAT, glutathi one peroxidase GSH-Px activity) were investigated in blood of 81 veget arians aged 20-40 years. The average period of consuming vegetarian fo od was 3.5 years. The results were compared to corresponding values of non-vegetarians of the same age and from the same geographical region (Bratislava). The levels of conjugated dienes of fatty acids were sig nificantly lower in vegetarians. Significantly higher values of molar ratio vitamin E/cholesterol, vitamin E/triacylglycerols and vitamin E/ polyunsaturated fatty acids found in vegetarians imply a higher protec tive effect against lipid peroxidation - antioxidative status in veget arians is indicated also by significantly higher levels of vitamin C i n plasma, significantly increased catalase activity and insignificantl y increased activity of glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes.