Dairy Macronutrient Effects on the Metabolic Syndrome

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women, ages 45-75 years AND * BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 AND * Two of the following conditions: * Plasma triglycerides \> 130 mg/dl * HDL \< 40 mg/dl in men or 50 mg/dl in women * elevated screening blood pressure (systolic \> 140 or diastolic \>90 mm Hg) or taking medication for hypertension * fasting plasma glucose \> 100mg/dl Exclusion Criteria: * Hemoglobin A1c \> 7.5 * History of malignancy in the 6 months prior to enrollment * History of lactose intolerance or dairy allergy * History of gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc) * History of a chronic inflammatory condition or disease (Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc) * Subjects who do not or will not eat animal proteins * Subjects who cannot refrain from consuming protein or amino acid supplements during their participation in this study * Subjects who use insulin to control their blood sugar * Subjects whose physician will not allow suspension of oral diabetes medications for the duration of the study (\~5 weeks) * Concomitant use of corticosteroids (ingestion, injection or transdermal) * Any other disease or condition that would place the subject at increased risk of harm if they were to participate, at the discretion of the study physician