Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) Effects on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Risk

Inclusion Criteria: 1. BMI \> 20 and \< 37 2. LDL-C level between the 50th and 90th percentile (±5% for assay variation) according to NHANES data for sex and age (ex. for men: 128-177 mg/dL and for women: 121-172 mg/dL) 3. TG level \< 150 mg/dL Exclusion criteria include: 1. self-reported history of myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, kidney disease, and thyroid disease (unless controlled on medication) 2. high alcohol consumption (≥ 14 drinks/week) 3. intake of putative cholesterol-lowering supplements (psyllium, fish oil capsules, soy lecithin, niacin, fiber, flax, and phytoestrogens, stanol/sterol supplemented foods) 4. treatment with lipid-lowering agents (statins and fibrates) or blood pressure control medications 5. vegetarian diet 6. weight loss or gain ≥ 10% body weight in the previous 6 months, 7. lactation, pregnancy, or desire to become pregnant during the study