Oxidant stress, anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids in South Indian vegetarians and non-vegetarians

Vegetarians are known to have a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases an d lower blood pressure compared to non-vegetarians. The exact cause for thi s is not known. In the present study, it was found that, in general, vegeta rians (female > males) have a higher concentrations of anti-oxidant enzymes : catalase and superoxide dismutase in their RBC membranes and lower levels of plasma lipid peroxides compared to non-vegetarians. Both male and femal e non-vegetarians were found to have a higher n-3/n-6 ratio compared to veg etarians. These results suggest that vegetarians have a higher anti-oxidant status and low levels of n-3 fatty acids. It remains to be seen whether th is alterations in the oxidant and anti-oxidant status and n-3 concentration s explains the lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood p ressure in vegetarians. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.