Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2001 Jan; 64(1): 53-9.

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

Manjari V, Suresh Y, Sailaja Devi MM, Das UN.

EFA Sciences LLC, 1420 Providence Highway, Norwood, MA 02062, USA.

Vegetarians are known to have a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood pressure compared to non-vegetarians. The exact cause for this is not known. In the present study, it was found that, in general, vegetarians (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 female non-vegetarians were found to have a higher n-3/n-6 ratio compared to vegetarians. 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 this alterations in the oxidant and anti-oxidant status and n-3 concentrations explains the lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and lower blood pressure in vegetarians.Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.