Am J Clin Nutr. 1984 Oct; 40(4 Suppl): 917-20.

Diet, nutrition intake, and metabolism in populations at high and low risk for colon cancer. Selected biochemical parameters in blood and urine.

Rider AA, Arthur RS, Calkins BM, Nair PP.

Selected biochemical parameters (serum protein, albumin, prealbumin, total retinol-binding protein, vitamins A and E, total carotenoids, and urinary urea and creatinine) were determined in healthy, free-living vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects. The groups studied were composed of Seventh-day Adventist pure vegetarians, Seventh-day Adventist lacto-ovo vegetarians, Seventh-day Adventist nonvegetarians, and general population nonvegetarians. No values indicative of nutritional deficiencies were observed in any of the subjects. Serum carotenoid levels were significantly higher in Seventh-day Adventist pure vegetarians than in members of the other groups. Mean values for serum vitamin A showed no differences between the dietary groups, although 41% of general population nonvegetarian subjects (the group considered at highest risk for colon cancer) had serum vitamin A levels in the upper quartile of the distribution. From these data no conclusions can be drawn relating to the role of dietary habits as determinants of colon cancer risk.