Selected prooxidative - antioxidative parameters (conjugated dienes of fatty acids CD, vitamin C, vitamin E, catalase activity CAT, glutathione peroxidase GSH-Px activity) were investigated in blood of 81 vegetarians aged 20-40 years. The average period of consuming vegetarian food was 3.5 years. The results were compared to corresponding values of non-vegetarians of the same age and from the same geographical region (Bratislava). The levels of conjugated dienes of fatty acids were significantly lower in vegetarians. Significantly higher values of molar ratio vitamin E/cholesterol, vitamin E/triacylglycerols and vitamin E/polyunsaturated fatty acids found in vegetarians imply a higher protective effect against lipid peroxidation - antioxidative status in vegetarians is indicated also by significantly higher levels of vitamin C in plasma, significantly increased catalase activity and insignificantly increased activity of glutathione peroxidase in erythrocytes.

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