Flax Muffins and Cholesterol Lowering

Inclusion Criteria: * male and non-pregnant/non-lactating female * Body mass index 18.5-40.0 kg/m2 * Fasting plasma LDL cholesterol 2.6-5.0 mmol/L * Regular dietary habits (ie. breakfast, lunch and dinner meals consumed daily) * Willing to comply with protocol requirements * Willing to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Medical history of cardiovascular disease, use of cholesterol-lowering or blood pressure-lowering medications * Fasting plasma triglycerides ≥ 4.0 mmol/L * Medical history of diabetes mellitus, fasting plasma glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or use of insulin or oral medication to control blood sugar * Medical history of gastrointestinal disease, daily use of any stomach acid-lowering medications or laxatives (including fibre supplements) within the past month or antibiotic use within the past 6 weeks * Medical history of inflammatory disease (ie. Systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis) * Medical history of liver disease or liver dysfunction (defined as plasma AST or ALT ≥ 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)) * Medical history of kidney disease or kidney dysfunction (defined as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine ≥ 1.8 times the ULN) * Active treatment for any type of cancer within 1 year prior to study start * Major surgery within the last 3 months * Other medical, psychiatric, or behavioral factors that in the judgment of the Principal Investigator may interfere with study participation or the ability to follow the intervention protocol * Unstable body weight (defined as \> 5% change in 3 months) or actively participating in a weight loss program * Tobacco and/or nicotine replacement use, current or within the last 3 months * Taking medication (prescription or non-prescription) or dietary supplements (pre/probiotics, vitamins, minerals, fats, herbals) known to affect blood lipids, with the exception of stable doses of thyroxine and oral contraceptive agents * Any food allergy, aversion or unwillingness to eat wheat or flax * Daily consumption of flax containing products in the past month * Regular intake of \> 2 alcoholic drinks per day. Standard drink (13.6 g alcohol)= Beer (5% alcohol) 360 mL (12 fl.oz); Spirits (40% alcohol) 45 mL (1.5 fl.oz); wine (12% alcohol) 150 mL (5 fl.oz) * Participation in another clinical trial, current or in the past 4 weeks