Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:
* Postmenopausal women (menopause defined by complete natural cessation of menses for \>12 months or a bilateral oophorectomy).
* Age \>50 to \< 85 years
* BMI \>20 to \<35 kg/m2
* LDL-cholesterol \>100 mg/dL
* CRP (C reactive protein) \<10 ug/dL
* Normal fasting plasma glucose levels (\<120 mg/dL)
* Not taking medication known to affect lipid metabolism:
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
* Bile Acid Sequestrants (Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Colesevelam, etc.)
* Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors (Ezetimibe \[Zetia\])
* Nicotinic Acid Agents (Niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin, etc)
* Fibrates (Gemfibrozil, Clofibrate, Ciprofibrate, Fenofibrate \[Tricor\], etc)
* Probucol
* Anticoagulants (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix, etc)
* Hormone therapy medications containing estrogen
* Acetylsalicylic acid containing medications, aspirin
* Diphenylhydantoin
* Supplements containing fatty acids (Fish Oil, Flaxseed, etc.) and any other compounds that affect lipid metabolism (red yeast rice, etc.) for at least 3 months prior to participation in the study
* Anabolic steroids
* Hydrocortisone
* Normal kidney function as assessed by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen
* Normal liver function as assessed by serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase
* Normal thyroid function as assessed by serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
* Normal gastrointestinal function
* Normotensive on or off medication
* Non-smoker for at least 2 years
* Alcohol intake \< 7 drinks per week, and willingness to abstain from consuming alcohol while participating in the study.
* Consistent physical activity
* Willingness to follow protocol as detailed in the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved consent form.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Men
* Women who have had a double mastectomy
* Age \< 50 and \> 85 years
* BMI \< 20 and \> 35 kg/m2
* LDL-cholesterol \<100 mg/dL
* CRP \> 10 ug/dL
* Abnormal fasting plasma glucose levels \>120 mg/dL
* Use of medications known to affect lipid metabolism:
* HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)
* Bile Acid Sequestrants (Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Colesevelam, etc.)
* Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors (Ezetimibe \[Zetia\])
* Nicotinic Acid Agents (Niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin, etc)
* Fibrates (Gemfibrozil, Clofibrate, Ciprofibrate, Fenofibrate \[Tricor\], etc)
* Anticoagulants (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix, etc)
* Hormone therapy medications containing estrogen
* Probucol
* Acetylsalicylic acid containing medications, aspirin
* Diphenylhydantoin
* Supplements containing fatty acids (Fish Oil, Flaxseed, etc.) and any other compounds that affect lipid metabolism (red yeast rice, etc.) in the last 3 months prior to participation in the study
* Anabolic steroids and hydrocortisone
* Renal or kidney disease, as defined by a history of chronic kidney disease or by glomerular filtration rate of \< 60 ml.min/1.73 m2 calculated from screening blood tests.
* Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, as defined as screening TSH outside of normal ranges (\<0.4 or \>4.5), unless controlled with medication for at least 6 months
* Gastrointestinal disease
* Uncontrolled hypertension or high BP reading at the discretion of the study physician or nurse
* Established cardiovascular disease as defined by history of myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, coronary artery bypass graft, stenosis \>50%, angina and peripheral arterial disease)
* Anemia, as defined by screening haemoglobin \<11.7g/dL.
* Liver disease, as defined by a history of chronic hepatitis B or C, cholestatic or cirrhotic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, elevations of SGPT or SGOT greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal at screening, bilirubin greater than 2 mg/dL (in the absence of benign causes of elevated bilirubin such as Gilbert's syndrome) at screening, or albumin below the lower limit of normal.
* Type I and II diabetes
* Any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or antihistamine use by subject for 72 hours prior to blood draws
* Smoking or use of nicotine-containing products within the past 2 years
* Alcohol intake \> 7 drinks per week or unwillingness to abstain from consuming alcohol while participating in the study
* Unwillingness to maintain body weight during participation in the study
* Unwillingness to adhere to diet and study protocol
* Weight gain or loss of more than 15 lb within 6 months prior to enrollment
* Vegetarians and those with food allergies or aversions
* Non-English speaking subjects
* No Social Security number
* Women who have a history of difficulty with blood draws
* Blood donation within the past 8 weeks