Antioxidant status was investigated in 20 Finnish middle-aged female vegans and in one male vegan who were following a strict, uncooked vegan diet ("living food diet"), by means of a dietary survey and biochemical measurements (blood concentrations of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, and the activities of the zinc/copper-dependent superoxide dismutase and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase). Values were compared with those of omnivores matched for sex, age, social status, and residence.

BACKGROUND:The vegetarian diet may play a preventive role in the development of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes. In the literature only a few papers concerning benefits to health from vegetarian diet have been reported in children. AIM:The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentration of vitamin A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol) in children on vegetarian and omnivorous diet. Material and methods. Vitamins A and E were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in blood of 17 vegetarians and 16 nonvegetarian children.

BACKGROUND:Population-based studies have shown that vegetarians have lower body mass index than nonvegetarians, suggesting that vegetariandiet plans may be an approach for weight management. However, a perception exists that vegetarian diets are deficient in certain nutrients. OBJECTIVE:To compare dietary quality of vegetarians, nonvegetarians, and dieters, and to test the hypothesis that a vegetarian diet would not compromise nutrient intake when used to manage body weight.