Effect of Brown Rice on the Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Men \& postmenopausal women, aged \>50 years * BMI \>30 kg/m2 and/or waist/hip ratio \>0.9 for men, \>0.85 for women * plus any two of the following four MetS factors * Fasting plasma TG: 150-400 mg/dL (1.7 - 4.52 mmol/L) * Fasting plasma HDL cholesterol: \<40 mg /dL (1.03 mmol/L) for men, \<50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) for women * Blood pressure: SBP, 130-160 mmHg and/or DBP 85-95 mmHg * Fasting plasma glucose: fasting blood glucose 100-125 mg/dL (5.55- 6.94 mmol/L) and no medication for blood glucose regulation and no use of insulin Exclusion Criteria: * Cigarette smoking and/or nicotine replacement use * Individuals taking estrogen * Use of blood glucose lowering medications or insulin * Regular use (\>2x/wk) of any stomach acid-lowering medications or laxatives * Regular use (\>2x/wk) of medication for inflammation * Regular use of medication for hypercoagulation * Cardiovascular (heart) disease * Gastrointestinal disease * Renal or chronic kidney disease * Endocrine disease: including diabetes, untreated thyroid disease * Rheumatoid arthritis * Active treatment for any type of cancer, except basal cell carcinoma, within 1 year prior to study admission * Systolic blood pressure \>160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \>95 mmHg * Regular use of oral steroids except topical OTC steroids * Regular daily intake of ≥2 alcoholic drinks * Infrequent (\<3/wk) or excessive (\>3/d) number of regular bowel movements * Illicit drug use * Vegetarians * No fish oil supplements (including cod liver oil) for one month prior to study admission * No dietary supplements, including those containing any vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant concentrates (including garlic, gingko, St. John's wort) or homeopathic remedies, for one month prior to study admission * On or planning a weight reducing regimen using a dietary approach of dietary supplements