AbstractFatty acid profile in plasma was examined in 12 adult vegetarians (lacto and lacto‐ovo) aged 41‐63 years with an average period of vegetarian nutrition of 9.8 years. Difference in the content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in vegetarians was insignificant (compared to non‐vegetarians). Positive factor of vegetarian nutritional habit with respect to atherosclerosis included significantly elevated content of linoleic acid (C 18:2) and linolenic acid (C 18:3), as well as unchanged or only slightly reduced content of polyunsaturated fatty acids ‐ arachidonic acid (C 20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid (C 22:6,n= 3). Favourable values of prooxidative‐antioxidative parameters (significantly reduced content of conjugated dienes of fatty acids in plasma, significantly higher plasma levels of vitamin C, β‐carotene, vitamin E/cholesterol ‐ indicator of LDL protection and vitamin E/triacylglycerols ‐ indicator of fatty acid protection) demonstrated a reduced risk of lipoperoxidatio