Effect of fat composition on plasma fatty acid profile

Fatty acid plasma profile was assessed in 12 vegans, 25 lactoovovegetarians and 14 semivegetarians aged between 19 and 44 years. The results were comp ared with a group consisting of 23 omnivores. The alternative nutrition gro ups had significantly lower content of saturated fatty acids. Oleic acid co ntent was similar to that of the omnivores. The group of vegetarians and ve gans had significantly higher values of linoleic (n-6) and alpha-linolenic (n-3) acids constituting an abundant supply for fatty acid desaturation and elongation. The content of gamma-linolenic, dihamo-gamma-linolenic and ara chidonic acids (n-6) was comparable to that of the omnivores in all alterna tive nutrition groups. The value of higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in lactoovovegetarians was equivalent to that of the omnivores, whereas it was increased in semivegetarians (consuming fish twice a week). Due to the low iron levels and to the total elimination of animal Eat from the diet th e contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (n-3) we re significantly reduced in the vegans. The favourable plasma fatty acid pr ofile and other lipid parameters in the alternative nutrition groups reflec t the optimal nutrition composition with respect to the prevention of cardi ovascular diseases. Higher supply of alpha-linolenic acid in vegans for n-3 fatty acid formation and the negative influence of their values due to iro n deficiency is an apparent discrepancy in vegan nutrition.