• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the mineral status of postmenopausal vegetarian women with those of the omnivores, and to investigate the relationship between dietary pattern and minerals status in postmenopausal Korean women. The research group was composed of vegetarian women (n = 38), all of them were seven day adventists, who had been on vegetarian diet over 20 yrs. Their anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and blood mineral concentrations were compared to age matched omnivores controls (n = 38). The average age of vegetarians and omnivores were 60.7 yrs and 60.5 yrs, respectively and there was no significant difference. The mean daily energy intake of vegetarians and omnivores were 1518.5 kcal and 1355.5 kcal, respectively and their was no significant difference. The mean calcium intake of vegetarians (492.6 mg) was not significantly different from that of omnivores (436.6 mg). The vegetarians consumed significantly greater quantities of magnesium (p < 0.001), iron (p < 0.001), copper (p < 0.001), manganese (p < 0.001) and dietary fiber (p < 0.05). There were no significantly differences in serum calcium, magnesium and manganese levels between vegetarians and omnivores. However, serum levels of phosphorus (p < 0.01), iron (p < 0.05), ferritin (p < 0.01), zinc (p < 0.001) and copper (p < 0.05) were significantly lower than those of omnivores. In conclusion, vegetarian postmenopausal women may have low bioavailability of iron, zinc and copper. Therefore it was needed that further study on mineral bioavailability of vegetarian diet. (Korean J Nutrition 38(2): 151～160, 2005)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2022

This study identifies the perceptions and choice attributes toward plant-based foods and identifies the differences between vegetarians and omnivores. We conducted an online survey of 245 vegetarians and 246 omnivores. The results reveal a significant difference between vegetarians and omnivores. Compared to omnivores, vegetarians perceived that plant-based food products would be 'good taste', 'animal-friendly', and 'consistent with their personal value'. Omnivore scores were higher in the perception that it would be 'good for health' and 'environment-friendly'. No statistically significant difference was obtained between both diet groups when considering the factor of nutrition. When considering choice as an attribute for plant-based food products, vegetarians responded that 'ingredients' were the most important, while omnivores responded that 'taste' was the most important. These results can be used as basic data for developing and promoting plant-based food products in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.412-420
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• 1999

The amount and type of dietary protein that effects affect bone mineral loss after menopause and different dietary patterns may influence anthropometric measurements, biochemical values, and bone metabolism. Objective : Our objective was to investigate bone metabolism and chronic disease factors in two different dietary patterns. Design: The sample consisted of 40 lacto-ove-vegetarians(LOV) and 49 omnivores aged from 47 to 85 years in good condition without any medical problems. Results : The average energy intake of LOV was 1414.0kcal and omnivores, 1403.2kcal. The difference between means was not statistically significant. The differences of means of body weight and BMI between the two groups were not significant but the systolic blood pressure of LOV group was significantly lower than omniovores(p<0.05). The values of serum cholesterol(p<0.05) and glucose(p<0.05) of LOV were signifcantly lower than that of omnivores. The serum albumin level(p<0.01) of LOV was lower than it'scounterpart but in a normal range. The intake of crude fiber(p<0.05) of LOV group was significantly higher. The urinary pH of LOV was 7.4 and that of omnivores was 6.3(p<0.001). Plant calcium(p>0.05) and plant iron(p<0.001) had positive correlations with the uninary pH but animal protein(p>0.05) and animal iron(p>0.05) had negative correlations with the urinary pH. The level of urinary biochemical marker of bone resorption, deoxypyridinoline(DPD) of LOV was significantly lower than the other group(p>0.05). The T-scores of bone mineral density for the two sites in the two groups were not significantly different. Conclusions : The DPD level and urinary pH value of LOV were more desirable for the bone metabolism that the omnivores. The diet of LOV had lower risk factors of chronic diseases than the other group.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2012

Excessive oxidative stress and abnormal blood lipids may cause chronic diseases. This risk can be reduced by consuming an antioxidant- and fiber-rich vegetarian diet. We compared biomarkers of oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and lipid profiles of sex- and age-matched long-term vegetarians and omnivores in Korea. Forty-five vegetarians (23 men and 22 women; mean age, $49.5{\pm}5.3$ years), who had maintained a vegetarian diet for a minimum of 15 years, and 30 omnivores (15 men and 15 women; mean age, $48.9{\pm}3.6$ years) participated in this study. Their 1-day, 24-h recall, and 2-day dietary records were analyzed. Oxidative stress was measured by the levels of diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM). Antioxidant status was determined by the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. We observed that vegetarians had a significantly lower body fat percentage ($21.6{\pm}6.4%$) than that of omnivores ($25.4{\pm}4.6%$; $P$ < 0.004). d-ROM levels were significantly lower in vegetarians than those in omnivores ($331.82{\pm}77.96$ and $375.80{\pm}67.26$ Carratelli units; $P$ < 0.011). Additionally, total cholesterol levels in the vegetarians and omnivores were $173.73{\pm}31.42$ mg/dL and $193.17{\pm}37.89$ mg/dL, respectively ($P$ < 0.018). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was $101.36{\pm}23.57$ mg/dL and $120.60{\pm}34.62$ mg/dL ($P$ < 0.005) in the vegetarians and omnivores, respectively, indicating that vegetarians had significantly lower lipid levels. Thus, oxidative stress, body fat, and cholesterol levels were lower in long-term vegetarians than those in omnivores.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.869-879
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate on nutrient intake status and diet quality of middle and old aged vegetarian women in Korea, The research group was composed of vegetarian women (n=91), all of them were Seven Day Adventists, who had been on vegetarian diets, over 20 yrs. Their anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and diet quality indices were compared to omnivores (n=122). The average age of vegetarians and omnivores were 61.8 yrs and 60.3 yrs, respectively. The mean daily energy intakes of vegetarians and omnivores were 1428.8 kcal and 1424.5 kcal, respectively and there was no significant difference. The vegetarians consumed significantly lower intakes of protein (p < 0.05), zinc (p < 0.001) and vitamin $B_{2}$ (p < 0.05) compared to omnivores. In the diet quality, zinc and vitamin $B_{2}$ nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of vegetarians were significantly lower than those of omnivores. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of vegetarians and omnivores were 0.80 and 0.77, respectively and there was no significant difference. The KDDS (Korean's Dietary Diversity Score) of vegetarians and omnivores were 3.7 and 4.0, respectively, and there was significant difference (p < 0.01). The KDQI (Korean's Diet Quality Index) of vegetarians (1.5) was significantly lower than that (2.1) of omnivores (p < 0.001). In conclusion, vegetarian women have low intake status of protein, zinc and vitamin $B_{2}$, and partly low diet quality. Therefore it was needed that well planed diets to replace the nutrients supplied from excluded food groups in middle and old aged vegetarian women. (Korean J Community Nutrition 10(6) : $869\∼879$, 2005)

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2004

There is some evidence that phytostrogen plays an important role in bone metabolism in postmenopausal women. In this study, we investigated the phytoestrogen intake levels and the relation between dietary phytoestrogens intake and bone mineral density of vegetarian (n = 77) and omnivore postmenopausal women (n = 122 . Vegetarian women, all of them were seven day adventists, who had been on vegetarian diet (almost lacto-ovo vegetarians;a few vegans) oyer 20 yrs. The average age of vegetarians and omnivores were 62.3 yrs and 60.2 yrs, respectively and, there was no significant difference. However, body weight (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001) of vegetarians were significantly lower than those of omnivores. The mean daily energy intake of vegetarians and omnivores were 1386.1 kcal (76.3% of RDA) and 1424.5 kcal (76.9% of RDA), respectively. The mean calcium intake of vegetarians (456.7 mg, 66.3 % of RDA) was not significantly different from that of omnivores (453.5 mg, 65.2 % of RDA). The mean daily isoflavones (daidzein +genistein) intake of vegetarians and omnivore were 33.9 mg and 23.9 mg, respectively. The vegetarians consumed significantly greater quantities of isoflavones (p < 0.05) and lignans precursor (p < 0.05). In the vegetarians, intake of isoflavones was significantly positively correlated with BMD of femoral neck, after adjusted for age and BMI. Also lignan precursor intake of vegetarians was significantly positively correlated with BMD of spine, after adjusted for age and BMI. In conclusion, in omnivore post menopausal women, intake of phytoestrogen such as isoflavones and lignans was little low, and it is not clear that positive association with bone mineral density. But in vegetarian postmenopausal women, phytoestrogen intakes be important factors related to bone mineral density.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.154-162
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• 2023

This study investigated the awareness and consumption behavior of 118 vegetarians and omnivores toward plant-based dairy alternatives. The preference and choice attribute questionnaires were compared. Significant differences were obtained between the two groups when considering the purchase experience, preference, and selection attributes of plant-based dairy alternatives. Vegetarians had more experience purchasing plant-based dairy alternative products. In both groups, environmental and animal protection were the major factors that influenced the highest response rate for purchasing plant-based dairy alternatives. The preference score of vegetarians for plant-based dairy alternative products was high, indicating that vegetarianism had a significant effect on their preference for plant-based dairy alternative products. Analysis of selection attributes revealed that price, product weight, appearance, and manufacturer were considered important by vegetarians, whereas nutritional components and labeling, manufacturing environment, composition of ingredients, and taste and texture were considered more important by the omnivores. Results of this study can be used as basic data for the future development of the fast-growing industry producing plant-based dairy alternative products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.608-613
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• 2003

Recently, interests in the influences of vegetarian diet on bone mineral density after menopause have been rapidly increased. The purpose of this study was to compare the protein nutritional status and bone mineral density of postmenopausal vegetarian women with that of the omnivores. Vegetarian (n＝38, seven day adventists) were chosen from the subjects in previous study, and the subjects were matched with omnivores counterparts with respect to age and BMI. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and bone mineral density (BMD) were taken. The bone metabolism related marker including urinary deoxypyridinoline and urinary pH, and serum protein and albumin concentrations were evaluated. The average age of vegetarians and omnivores were 60.7 yrs and 60.5 yrs, respectively md, there was no significant difference. The mean daily energy intake of vegetarians and omnivores were 1518.5 ㎉ (82.7% of RDA) and 1355.5 ㎉ (72.6% of RDA), respectively. The mean calcium intake of vegetarians (492.6 mg, 70.3% of RDA) was not significantly different from that of omnivores (436.6 mg, 62.3% of RDA). There was no significant difference in BMDs of spine and femoral neck between vegetarians and omnivores. Urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) level was not significantly different. In the vegetarians, the intakes of total protein (p＜0.05) and plant protein (p＜0.05) had significant negative correlations with urinary DPD. In the omnivores, serum albumin showed significant positive correlations with urinary DPD (p＜0.05). In conclusion, we can not find the beneficial roles of vegetarian diet on bone mineral metabolism. For the postmenopausal vegetarian woman, protein intake would be an important factor to promote skeletal health.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.368-373
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• 1998

Plasma amino acid concentration and Urinary exretion of free amino acids were measured in health female vegetarians(n=20, 19.9 $\pm$0.43 years old ) and age-mateched imnivores(n=20, 21.9$\pm$0.38years old) in Korean. differences infasting plasma amino acid concentrations and plasma aminogram pattern were not spectacular between the vegetarian and omnivore controls. Compared to the omnivores, vegetarians showed significantly lower plasma levels of methionine , phenylalanine, $\alpha$-aminobutyrate, citrulline, phosposerine and tarurine, and significantly higher plasma concentrations of arginine, $\alpha$-aminobutyrate, cirtrulline, phosphosierine and taurine, and significantly higher plasma concentrations of arginine, $\alpha$-aminoadipate, asparagine, aspartate, glutamate and ornithine. Although these differences were statistically significant, they were all within the normal range (21~70% differences )for human adults. Most of the urinary amino acids (nmol/mg creatinine or $\mu$mol/24 hr urine) were excreted to significantly lesser degree in vegetarians than was the case in omnivore controls. For almost every individual free amino acid, plasma concentration did not significantly correlate with urinary excretion level. These results indicate that vegetarians excreted less amino acids in their urine than did dominivores, most probably in an effort to maintain amino acid homeostasis to an altered dietary protein intake level and/or amino acid composition of their diets.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2005

It has been suggested that dietary fat increases the risk of breast cancer by elevating serum estrogen concentrations. However, studies on a relationship between fat intake and breast cancer risk have shown contradictory results, possibly because the levels of fat intake in study populations were too high to observe differences. Also, the effect of other dietary factors may present. The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between diet and estrogen metabolism in premenopausal women whose usual fat intake is relatively low compared to their western counterparts. Twenty lacto-ovo vegetarians (LOV) and twenty omnivores participated in the study. Three day food records including a Saturday or a Sunday were used to estimate nutrient intake. Serum lipids, estradiol, sex-hormone binding globulin, and urinary estradiol were measured. Study results showed $24.8\%$ and $20.9\%$ of energy intake were provided from fat in omnivorous and LOV subjects, respectively. Serum and urinary levels of estradiol were two times higher in omnivores. Fat intake was not related to either serum estradiol nor urinary estradiol when the Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was performed. Carbohydrate, total dietary fiber and soluble dietary fiber intakes were negatively related to serum estradiol concentration. Legumes, vegetables and fruit consumption showed significantly negative relationships with both serum and urinary estradiol concentrations. These results indicate lower estrogen availability may be associated with plant food­based diets in premenopausal women whose usual diets contain less than $25\%$ of energy as fat.