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Effects of a Lacto-ovo-vegetarian Diet on the Free Amino Acid Composition of Wax-Stimulated Whole Human Saliva

Department of Oral Pathology and Radiology ^* Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Kuopio, P.O. Box 6, 70211 Kuopio, Finland

The free amino acid composition of whole saliva was determined for nine lacto-ovo-vegetarians and their age- and sex-matched controls. Concentrations of glycine, serine, proline, glutamic acid plus glutamine and -aminovaleric acid were significantly higher in the lacto-ovo-vegetarians than in the controls. Elevated proline levels in saliva were associated with increased concentrations of -aminovaleric acid and glycine. The results are discussed in terms of increased protein breakdown and/or altered metabolism of salivary microorganisms due to a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet.

KEY WORDS: • saliva • free amino acids • lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet

Manuscript received 6 July 1984.