Cadmium blood levels were assessed in a group of 108 adult vegetarians, non-smo- kers (5.64 years on an alternative diet) and compared with a group of 90 non-smo- kers on a mixed diet (omnivores). The vegetarians had a significantly higher mean cadmium level as compared with omnivores with 7.4% of the values in the risk zone above 5 mg/l, with a maximum value of 10.48 mg/l in the group vs. 2.27 mg/l in omnivores. The incidence of values under 1 mg/l was recorded in 50.9% vegetarians and in 96.7% omnivores. Vegetarians consumed daily twice as many whole grain foods as compared with omnivores as well as sprouting cereals ( cadmium from soil accumulates in particular in the aleurone layers and germs). In 8 vegetarians at risk physiological values of iron, zinc and selenium were found. The values of lipid peroxidation were in three vegetarians above the limit, on average they were normal but higher than previously recorded data in larger groups of vegetarians and omnivores. This might be due to subthreshold vitamin E levels in six vegeta- rians. Despite high vitamin C levels probably adequate elimination of free radicals was not ensured, their higher production being assumed in subjects with a high cadmium intake.

        Key words: vegetarians - omnivores - cadmium blood level - intake of whole grain foods