Inclusion Criteria:

- LDL cholesterol (>100 mg/dL)

- > 50 years (all females postmenopausal, as defined by complete natural cessation of
menses for > 12 months or a bilateral oophorectomy)

- BMI > 25 and < 35 kg/m2

- Normal kidney function as assessed by serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen

- Normal liver function as assessed by serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and
alkaline phosphatase

- Normal thyroid function as assessed by serum thyroid stimulating hormone
concentrations

- Normal gastrointestinal function

- Fasting plasma glucose concentrations < 120 mg/dL

- Normotensive with or without medication

- Non-smoker for at least 12 months

- Alcohol intake of less than 7 drinks per week

- Consistent physical activity pattern

Exclusion Criteria:

- < 50 years old

- BMI < 25 and > 35 kg/m2

- LDL cholesterol < 100 mg/dL

- Abnormal fasting plasma glucose levels > 120 mg/dL

- Use of medications known to affect lipid metabolism:

- Bile Acid Sequestrants (Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Colesevelam, etc.)

- Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors (Ezetimibe [Zetia])

- Nicotinic Acid Agents (Niacin, Niacor, Slo-Niacin, etc)

- Fibrates (Gemfibrozil [Lopid], Ciprofibrate, Fenofibrate [Tricor], etc)

- Probucol

- Use of anticoagulants (Coumadin, Heparin, Plavix, etc), anabolic steroids, and
hydrocortisone.

- Use of hormone therapy medications containing estrogen

- Use of fish oil/omega-3 supplements, and Metamucil (or fiber containing dietary
supplements)

- Any Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or antihistamine use or
therapies that cannot be discontinued by subject for 72 hours prior to and 72 hours
after fat biopsy procedure.

- Established cardiovascular disease as defined by history of myocardial infarction,
stroke, heart failure, coronary artery bypass graft, stenosis > 50%, angina and
peripheral arterial disease

- Untreated hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 140 mm and
diastolic blood pressure (DBP) > 90 mm

- 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

- Liver disease, as defined by a history of chronic hepatitis B or C, cholestatic or
cirrhotic liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, elevations of serum
glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) or serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase
(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

- Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, defined as screening thyroid stimulating hormone
(TSH) outside of normal ranges (< 0.4 or > 4.5), unless controlled with medication
for at least 6 months

- Type I and II diabetes

- Gastrointestinal disease

- Lidocaine Allergy

- Smoking within the past 12 months.

- Alcohol intake > 7 drinks per week or unwillingness to not consume 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

- Non-English speaking subjects