The purpose of the study was to investigate the physiological assessment of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet, in comparison to a usual mixed diet and to analyse the effect of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet on nutritional status and blood parameters. Following an initial study, 34 resp. 33 subjects, three of them male took part in two investigation periods each lasting three weeks. During the first period (N) the subjects ingested the normal mixed diet, while in the second period (L) they were fed a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet. The female subjects were aged 52.6 +/- 14.3 years, the male subjects 47.7 +/- 12.7 years. In both periods food supply ensued from the central kitchen of a nunnery. While preparing the meals, the food intake and the amount of nutrients was assessed with precise weighing methods. Also, the individual food consumption of the total subjects was estimated using food records. The nutritional physiological evaluation was based on the daily consumption of energy and nutrients to assess the nutrient supply, by means of the recommended dietary allowances of the German Nutrition Society. At the beginning of period N and both at the beginning and the end of period L, blood tests of the following parameters were performed: serum glucose, uric acid, and potassium, total protein, total cholesterol, HDL-, LDL-, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, serum ferritin, serum iron, iron binding capacity, hemoglobin, s-GOT, s-GPT, thiamine, riboflavine, ascorbic acid. Measurements of body weight and height, body composition, skinfold thickness, circumferences, body surface, relative weight, blood pressure and sitting pulse rate completed the investigations. Furthermore, meal frequency and the daily individual energy requirement of the subjects were assessed by means of a diary of energy expenditure. On average, the daily energy consumption of women was 2020 +/- 611.3 kcal in period N, and 1970 +/- 592.4 kcal in period L. Consequently, there was a covering of energy requirements of 103% in period N and 99% in period L. Sources of energy consisted of 14% protein, 36.4% fat and 49.6% carbohydrates in period L, 13.6% protein, 39.6% fat, 44.7% carbohydrates and 2.1% alcohol in period N.
