Probiotics and Gut Health

Inclusion Criteria: * BMI ≥ to 25 and less than 35 kg/m\^2 * Increased waist circumference (men: ≥ 94 cm, women: ≥ 80 cm) * At least one of the metabolic syndrome criteria- * serum triglycerides: ≥ 150 mg/dL * HDL cholesterol: ≤ 40 mg/dL in men, ≤ 50 mg/dL in women * blood pressure: ≥ 130 mmHg systolic or ≥ 85 mmHg diastolic * fasting plasma glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL Exclusion Criteria: * allergy to dairy * smoking and/or use of tobacco products * systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg * diastolic blood pressure \> 100 mmHg * fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL * history of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease (unless controlled on medication) * use of cholesterol or lipid lowering medications * use of anti-hypertensive or glucose lowering supplements (psyllium, fish oil capsules, soy lecithin, niacin, fiber, flax, phytoestrogens, and stanol/sterol supplemented foods) * refusal to discontinue nutritional supplements, herbs, vitamins, or other probiotics * clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) e.g. Chron's disease or ulcerative colitis * Use of antibiotics within the last 2 months * excessive alcohol consumption (≥ 14 standard drinks per week) * regular use of anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen)