Serum lipoproteins in Israeli "Bnei Israel" Indians.

Serum lipoprotein concentrations differ markedly in the various ethnic groups which compose Israel's immigrant population. A group of subjects belonging to a community of "Bnei Israel" Indians, consisting of 21 women and 16 men between the ages of 30 and 60 years, was studied 10 years after immigration. The women had lipoprotein levels comparable with the Israeli-born population. The men had significantly lower mean cholesterol levels and significantly higher HDL/total cholesterol ratios and a tendency for lower triglycerides than an age-matched Israeli-born group, and a higher HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio than the women of the same origin. These results are consistent with the observed low incidence of coronary heart disease in Israeli Bnei Israel men who appear to have a "healthier" lipoprotein profile than the women in this community.