Dr. Jamie A Cooper, Ph.D.

Cottonseed Oil

for High Cholesterol

Cardiovascular disease risk factors, including higher BMIs and poor cholesterol profiles, are on the rise and contribute to the United States' growing disease burden. Cottonseed oil (CSO) is found readily in the food supply, and the investigator's previous studies have demonstrated that incorporating CSO into the diet is sufficient to improve fasting cholesterol profile and improve postprandial lipid and/or glycemic responses in both healthy, and at-risk populations. This study aims to compare CSO to a fatty acid composition-matched diet, on changes in fasting and postprandial lipid metabolism and markers of chronic disease risk. The specific aims are: * Examine the impact of CSO vs. PUFA on fasting and postprandial lipids. * Examine the impact of CSO on other markers of chronic disease risk. Participants will be asked to: * Consume provided meal replacement shakes daily for 28-days. * Attend three weekly short visits for fasting blood draws, body measurements, and collect the next week of study materials, * Attend two longer (5.5h) testing visits which include eating a standardized breakfast meal and having blood drawn periodically before and after breakfast. Researchers will compare CSO vs. PUFA and control groups (receiving a mixture of oils) to see if CSO is unique in imparting health benefits when compared with similar matched oil diets.