Optimal level of each antioxidant is required for maintenance of optimal health. Combined antioxidant effect of nonenzymatic defenses (ferric reducing ability of plasma - FRAP) is useful as index of ability to resist oxidative damage. Plasma values of vitamins C, E, A, b-carotene as well as molar ratios vitamin E/cholesterol and vitamin C/vitamin E are significantly higher in alternative nutrition group (vegetarians) vs. subjects on traditional nutrition (control group). Overthreshold plasma values of essential antioxidants (from food) mean a reduced risk of free- radical diseases. Average values of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin E/cholesterol, vitamin C/vitamin E, vitamin A and b-carotene in vegetarian group are overthres- hold with high percent of individual values over limit (92 % vs. 42 % - vitamin C, 88 % vs. 50 % - vitamin E/cholesterol, 100 % vs. 79 % - vitamin C/vitamin E, 75 % vs. 38 % - vitamin A, 67 % vs. 17 % - b-carotene). In control group, overthreshold in only ratio vitamin C/vitamin E. A typical difference of alternative nutrition in comparison to traditional nutrition is higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (higher intake of vitamin C and b-carotene), further consumption of whole grain products, sprouts, seeds and nontraditional plant fats (also higher intake of vitamin E and A). Levels of exogenous antioxidants in healthy population with normal nutrient absorption are fully influenced by food composition. The values of FRAP are equal in both investigated groups. Activity contribution of individual antioxidants to total FRAP is higher for vitamins C and E in vegetarian group and for uric acid in control group. In case of total proteins, the activity contribution is similar in vegetarian group as well as in control group.

        Key words: vegetarians - traditional nutrition - vitamin C - vitamin E - uric acid - total antioxidative plasma capacity