Plasma Fatty Acid Profile and Alternative Nutrition

Abstract

Plasma profile of fatty acids was examined in a group of children consisting of 7 vegans, 15 lactoovovegetarians and 10 semivegetarians. The children were 11-15 years old and the average period of alternative nutrition was 3.4 years. The results were compared with a group of 19 omnivores that constituted an average sample with respect to biochemical and hematological parameters from a larger study of health and nutritional status of children in Slovakia. Alternative nutrition groups had significantly lower values of saturated fatty acids. The content of oleic acid was identical to omnivores. A significant increase was observed for linoleic and alpha-linolenic (n-3) acids. The dihomo-gamma-linolenic (n-6) acid and arachidonic (n-6) acid values were comparable to omnivores for all alternative nutrition groups. Values of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in lactoovovegetarians were identical to those of omnivores whereas they were significantly increased in semivegetarians consuming fish twice a week. Due to the total exclusion of animal fats from the diet, vegans had significantly reduced values of palmitoleic acid as well as eicosapentaenoic (n-3) acid and docosahexaenoic (n-3) acid resulting in an increased n-6/n-3 ratio. Values of plasma fatty acids found in alternative nutrition groups can be explained by the higher intake of common vegetable oils (high content of linoleic acid), oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid (cereal germs, soybean oil, walnuts), as well as in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (fish). The results of fatty acids (except n-3 in vegans) and other lipid parameters confirm the beneficial effect of vegetarian nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Effect of Planting Date, Nitrogen Rate, and Hybrid on Sunflower

“…As with other vegetable oils, the fatty acid profile of sunflower oil determines its nutritional properties and specific uses (Warner et al, 2003;Burton et al, 2004). Consumers prefer sunflower hybrids with mid-oleic or high-oleic acid content because of the health benefits associated with oleic acid ( Jing et al, 1997;Krajcovicova-Kudlackova et al, 1997;Hu et al, 2001). There is limited amount of information on sunflower as a potential crop for the southeastern United States.…”

LDL and HDL Oxidation and Fatty Acid Composition in Vegetarians

“…Increased intake of PUFAs from vegetarian diet also increases their concentration in plasma lipoproteins, the peroxidation of which, particularly LDL, plays an important role in atherogenesis [1][2][3]. However, the intake of essential antioxidants, which may slow or prevent the peroxidation process, is also higher in vegetarians when compared to omnivores [4].…”

Quality Characteristics of High-Oleic Sunflower Oil Extracted from Some Hybrids Cultivated under Egyptian Conditions

“…In general, a diet rich in vegetable oils prevents heart disease (Krajcova-Kudlackova et al, 1997). In particular, a diet rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids reduces the cholesterol level associated with (LDL-C) and has no effect on the level of the triglycerides or on the cholesterol associated with (HDL-C), when compared to a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (Grundy, 1986).…”