The main objective of the study is to demonstrate that the inclusion of eggs to a plant-based diet will not increase the risk for heart disease but will increase the concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin, two important antioxidants and will also increase choline, an important component of membrane phospholipids.

Results from studies involving cells, animal models and clinical trials have demonstrated that lutein and zeaxanthin potentially protect against chronic diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, coronary heart disease and stroke. Plasma concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin are closely associated with their antioxidant properties and with their protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Choline is recognized as an essential nutrient for health because of its many functions in growth and development, as well as neurological function and formation of membrane phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC) and sphingomyelin.

Therefore the objective of this study is to demonstrate that inclusion of eggs in a plant-based diet will potentiate the benefits of this healthy diet by increasing plasma concentrations of lutein, zexanthin and choline presents in egg yolks and theoretically increase the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions of these components. This would be potentially more important in those individuals with metabolic syndrome, which is the target population of this intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All genders
• 35-70 years
• Metabolic syndrome (based on 3 out of 5 characteristics: waist circumference. 88 cm for women and > 102 cm for men; plasma triglycerides > 150 mg/dL, blood pressure > 135/85 mm Hg, fasting glucose > 100 mg/dL and HDL < 40 mg/dL for men and < 50 mg/dL for women)
• Willing to consume a spinach omelet made with 2 eggs or the equivalent amount of egg substitute daily for 4 weeks each
• Willing to follow a plant-based diet for 13 weeks
• Not have cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, liver or renal disease
• Proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported diabetes, cardiovascular disease, history of stroke, liver disease or cancer
• Taking glucose lowering medications
• Triglycerides > 500 mg/dL
• Cholesterol > 240 mg/dL
• Blood pressure > 145/100 mm Hg
• Allergic to eggs or spinach

Egg or Egg substitutes (whites only) will be provided to subjects and since they are similar in appearance and color, they will not know when they are consuming them