A study of serum lipid profile part-1: Establishment of normal reference values of serum lipid levels in healthy vegetarian population of Gujarat.

Fasting samples of 1329 apparently healthy vegetarian Gujarati population were tested for total cholesterol, triglycerides and three major fractions of lipoproteins, i.e. high density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins and very low density lipoproteins. All the values showed marked increase with the age. Except for serum triglycerides, values differ in males and females in the age group of above 45 years. Compared to Northern Indian population low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein values were higher, but values of triglycerides and very low density lipoproteins were lower. There is no significant difference in total cholesterol values. Compared to Southern Indian population low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein values were higher but values of triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein were lower. All serum lipid values were significantly lower than the Westem population. The range of values for both the sexes is presented for different age groups.