Clinical Assessment of Barley and Oat Phytochemicals

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and postmenopausal women * BMI 27-35.9 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Cigarette smoking and/or nicotine replacement use * Individuals taking estrogen * Use of cholesterol-lowering medications * Use of blood pressure-lowering medications * Regular use of any stomach acid-lowering medications or laxatives (including fiber supplements) * Cardiovascular (heart) disease * Gastrointestinal disease * Kidney disease * Endocrine disease: including diabetes, untreated thyroid disease * Rheumatoid arthritis * Active treatment for any type of cancer, except basal cell carcinoma, within 1 year prior to study admission * Systolic blood pressure \> 150 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure \> 95 mmHg * Regular use of oral steroids * Regular daily intake of ≥ 2 alcoholic drinks * Infrequent or excessive number of regular bowel movements * Illicit drug use * Vegetarians * No fish oil supplements (including cod liver oil) for one month prior to study admission * No dietary supplements, including those containing any vitamins, minerals, herbs, plant concentrates (including garlic, gingko, St. John's wort) or homeopathic remedies, for one month prior to study admission