The concentration of serum lipids in Zen monks and control males in Japan.

The concentrations of total, low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride and apoprotein B have been examined in Zen monks whose intake of animal products was almost negligible for 2 to 8 years, and in age-matched (24 to 35 years) control Japanese males who eat Western style food. The mean levels of total, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol, and apoprotein B were 135.1 +/- 16.7, 73.0 +/- 11.6, 50.4 +/- 9.6, and 70.6 +/- 15.6 mg/dl, respectively in Zen monks. These levels were 28.5, 32.8, 18.8, and 23.9% lower in Zen monks than in control Japanese males. These values are statistically significant compared to those of the controls (p less than 0.01). There were no significant changes in the level of triglyceride in both groups.