Journal of Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism 2015; 2: e888. doi: 10.14800/janhm.888; © 2015 byÜlle Parm, et al. http://www.smartscitech.com/index.php/janhm
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Influence of vegetarian diet to the factors associated with metabolic syndrome Ülle Parm1, Jaak Jürimäe2, Aivar Orav1, Evelin Lätt2, Sandra Sokmann1, Kata Pedamäe1, Piret Mihkelson1, Anna-Liisa Tamm1 1
Tartu Health Care College, Tartu, 50411, Estonia Institute of Sport Pedagogy and Coaching Sciences – University of Tartu, Tartu, 50411, Estonia
2
Correspondence: Ülle Parm E-mail:
[email protected] Received: June 29, 2015 Published online: July 20, 2015
Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition that increases type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease that are associated with abdominal obesity, low high-density cholesterol (HDL), high serum triglycerides and elevated fasting glucose levels. Influence of vegetarian diet to these parameters has demonstrated, but the results are debatable. Aim was to explain how vegetarian diet is related to specific body composition and blood biochemical characteristics associated with MS. This study was conducted in 2013 in Estonia. All participants filled in questionnaire, gave a blood sample and their body composition was measured by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The level of total cholesterol, low-density cholesterol (LDL), HDL, apolipoprotein B (APOB), apolipoprotein A-1 (APOA1), triglycerides, glucose, haemoglobin A1c, and insulin level in blood were measured and fasting homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The study comprised of 68 vegetarians (mean practice time of 7.3±4.7y) and 103 omnivores. Both groups were matched by sex and age. Omnivores had higher levels of total-cholesterol and APOA1 (p
