Effect of High Cheese Consumption on Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors

Inclusion Criteria: Men or women Age 18-70 Waist circumference \> 80 cm for women / \> 94 cm for men Plus at least one additional established risk factor for the metabolic syndrome using the following criteria: * Elevated BP (Systolic BP \> 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP \> 85 mmHg); * Elevated triglycerides (\>1.7 mmol/l); * Reduced HDL-C (\<1.0 mmol/l for men and \< 1.3 mmol/l for women); * Elevated fasting glucose (\> 5.6 mmol/l). BMI 18.5 - 35 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: Chronic diseases (known diabetes; cardiovascular disease; other chronic diseases which could affect the results of the present study) Milk allergy Use of dietary supplements incl. multivitamins (2 months before and during the entire study period) \>10 hours of strenuous physical activity per week Use of prescription medicine which could affect the results of the present study including systemic glucocorticoids or medicine which have interactions with the intervention products (safety) Drug or alcohol abuse Blood donation \<1 month before study commencement and during study period Simultaneous participation in other clinical studies Pregnant or lactating women, or women who are planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months. Inability to comply with the procedures required by the protocol