Determine How Consumption of Dairy Fat as Cheese Influences Inflammation-Phase 2

Phase 2 is a randomized crossover study designed to determine how consumption of cheese
compared with a non-dairy cheese substitute influences postprandial inflammation in
participants who have 2 or more risk factors of metabolic syndrome or BMI ≥ 30.

Eligible participants will arrive to the Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC) at
the University of California (UC) Davis campus on the morning of each test day after a
10-12-hr overnight fast. Upon arrival participants will fill out a questionnaire about their
dietary and medication intakes and physical activity for the past 72 hours to ensure
compliance. Compliant participants' weight and blood pressure will be measured and a fasting
blood draw will be taken before participants consume their test meal (cheese or non-dairy
cheese substitute). Participants will only consume this test meal and water freely for the
duration of the test day. Blood will be drawn serially at 1, 3 and 6 hours postprandially.
Participants will be tested on a second test day two weeks after the first test.

On the second test day, participants' body composition and bone mineral density will be
measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 18-65 years

- Two or more components of metabolic syndrome:

Central obesity (waist circumference greater than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for
women); fasting blood triglycerides greater than or equal to 150 mg/dL; plasma HDL
cholesterol (Less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women); blood pressure
greater than or equal to 130/85 mmHg; fasting glucose greater than or equal to 100 mg/dL

or

- BMI equal to or greater than 30

Exclusion Criteria:

Metabolic Disorders:

- BMI > 40

- Body weight more than 400 lbs.

- Any immune related diseases such as autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma,

- Gastrointestinal disorders including Crohn's Disease, colitis, diverticulitis,
irritable bowel disease, celiac, malabsorption syndrome

- Cancer

- Known presence of significant metabolic disease which could impact the results of the
study (i.e. hepatic, renal disease)

- Type II diabetes

- Use of over-the-counter anti-obesity agents (e.g. containing phenylpropanolamine,
ephedrine, and/or caffeine) within the last 12 weeks

- Use of corticoid steroids within the last 12 weeks

- Daily use of anti-inflammatory pain medication

- Self report of eating disorder

- Poor vein assessment determined by WHNRC's phlebotomist

Dietary/supplements:

- Known allergy or intolerance to study food (lactose intolerance, dairy, wheat
allergies)

- Vegetarian (defined as abstinence from consumption of eggs, dairy, poultry, beef and
pork)

- More than 1 serving of fish per week

- More than 14 grams of fiber per 1000 kcal per day

- Less than 16:1 of total dietary omega 6: Omega 3 ratio

- More than 1% of daily energy as trans fats

- Initiation of anti-inflammatory supplemental fish, krill, flax, borage and primrose
seed oils within the last 12 weeks

- Dietary supplements consisting of concentrated soy isoflavones, resveratrol, other
polyphenols identified as modulators of inflammation Medications

- Initiation of statin therapy within the last 12 weeks Lifestyle

- More than 10% weight loss or gain during the past 6 months

- Recent initiation (past 4 weeks) of exercise program

- Plan to become pregnant in the next 6 months

- Pregnancy or lactation

- Recent initiation or cessation of hormonal birth control or change in hormonal birth
control regimen within the last 12 weeks

- Use of tobacco products

- More than 2 standard alcoholic drinks per day.