Effect of Probiotics on Lipid Management

Inclusion Criteria: * Eligible subjects include men and women 18 to 75 years of age with primary hypercholesterolemia who has a total cholesterol level of 5.18 mmol/L or higher and/ or an LDL cholesterol level of 2.59 mmol/L or higher; * Absence of any diet, dietary supplement and medication that might interfere with lipid homoeostasis and gut microbiota, especially antibiotics and probiotics. Exclusion Criteria: * Triglyceride levels higher than 3.95 mmol/L, or any other systemic, metabolic and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases; * Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes treated with insulin or other medications; * Acute illness or current evidence of acute or chronic inflammatory or infective diseases; * Participation in any diet or lifestyle program more than 2 times per week in the latest 3 months prior to recruitment; * Mental illness rendering them unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study.