A Comparison of Serum Lipid Levels between Vegetarians and Nonvegetarians

채식자와 비채식자의 혈청지질 함량 비교

The effects of the vegetable diet on the levels of the serum lipids, particularly the level of the serum total cholesterol which is most concerned with coronary heart disease (CHD) were investigated in 30 male SDA (Seventh Day Adventists) group and 30 male omnivorous group (control group). SDA participated in this study intaked relatively few animal origin foods whereas they intaked plant origin foods largely; they seldom or sometimes intaked meats, fishes, butter, margarine, beverages and coffee, but often unrefined cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruits. In the both systolic pressure and diastolic pressure, there was no difference between two groups. The levels of the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid were lower in SDA group than in the omnivorous group. Among them the difference was statistically significant in the level of the serum total cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol was more or less higher in SDA group than in the omnivorous group, but the difference was no significant. The result that SDA group had lower level of the serum total cholesterol than the omnivorous group suggested that that they might be less prone to CHD than the omnivorous group. Though this possibility, however, was derived from the fact of the lower level of serum total cholesterol of SDA group, it might by partly responsible for their habit that they never smoke and drink alcohols and coffee.