Healthy Unique Lipids From Almonds

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women
• 18 to 50 years of age
• Body mass index (BMI) categorized "normal" through "overweight" (18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2)
• Able to provide informed consent in English

Exclusion criteria

• pregnancy or lactation
• allergy or aversion to any of the foods that will be studied and/or provided
• history of gastrointestinal disorders including ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, celiac sprue, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), familial adenomatous polyposis, pancreatic disease, or liver disease
• history of metabolic diseases (type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia)
• previous gastrointestinal resection or bariatric surgery
• bleeding disorders that preclude blood draws
• recent hospital admissions (past 6 months) for heart disease (MI/CVA or CHF) or other CVD/CAD conditions under physician guided therapy that is not medically stable
• cancer under radiation or chemotherapy treatment that is active or within 6 months of treatment
• regular alcohol intake of > 2 drinks/day (equivalent to 720 mL of beer, 240 mL of wine, or 90 mL of spirits) and unwilling to abstain during the run-in week and test day
• use of tobacco and/or marijuana, hookahs, e-cigarettes (e-cigs, vapes, etc.) and not willing to abstain during the run-in week and test day
• use of illicit drugs and not willing to abstain during the run-in week and test day
• BMI ≥30 kg/m2
• regular (daily to weekly) use of over the counter (OTC) weight-loss aids, anti-acids or anti-inflammatories, and unwilling or unable to stop taking during the run-in week and test day
• regular OTC dietary supplements that interfere with the test foods being studied including pills, chewables, liquids or powders for the following: fiber, fish oil (including cod liver oil), probiotics, and unwilling or unable to stop taking during the run-in week and test day
• oral or IV antibiotic use in the past 6 months (could defer participation until 6 months post-completion of course of antibiotics)
• seated blood pressure >140/90 mmHg
• fasting clinical lab tests outside acceptable values as ascertained at the screening blood draw (Glucose (fasting), Urea, Creatinine, eGFR, Sodium, ALT/GPT, AST/GOT, Alk Phos, Total Bilirubin, Total protein, Albumin, Complete blood count, hematocrit, Total Cholesterol, HDL/LDL cholesterol, Triglycerides, Insulin Free, Total Insulin, Hemoglobin A1C)
• current use of specific prescription medication(s): Coumadin, Opiates within 1 month of study, Chlorthalidone, Canagliflozin, Tetracycline, Heparin, Anti-psychotics, Chlorothiazide, Dapagliflozin, Cephalosporin, Eliquis, Lithium, Hydrochlorothiazide, Empagliflozin, Penicillin, Indapamide, Insulin, Quinolone, Metolazone, Acarbose, Lincomycin, Oral Steroids within 1 month of study, Cholestyramine, Amiloride hydrochloride, Miglitol, Macrolide, RA / psoriasis medications, Colesevelam, Spironolactone, Liraglutide, Sulfonamide, Medications for rheumatologic / hematologic active disease, Colestipol, Triamterene, Metformin, Glycopeptide Abs, Ezetimibe, Furosemide, Aminoglycosides, Fenofibrate, Bumetanide, HIV/HAART therapy, Statins, Proton-pump inhibitors
• inability to freely give informed consent in English