Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
Older than 18 years of age Total cholesterol levels higher than 200 mg/dl | Use of statins or other cholesterol-lowering drugs within the previous 6 months. Use of cholesterol lowering supplements within the previous 3 months. Use of systemic antibodies, corticosteroids, androgens or phenitoin. Lactose intolerance or milk allergy. History of inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Gastrointestinal, renal, hepatic, lung or bile disease. Hypo/hyperthyroidism. Menopause. Family history of hypercholesterolemia. Chronic use of probiotics (>2 doses/week), fiber-based laxatives (>2 doses/week) or stimulant laxatives. Diabetes mellitus or cancer. Alcohol abuse (>40 g/day). Pregnancy or breastfeeding. |