Two control groups were used in the present study: i) a lean control group (LC, BMI ℋ 25 kg/m2) and ii) an obese control group (OC, BMI > 30 kg/m2). Both control groups did not receive any intervention, and therefore their body weight maintained stable throughout the study period of 6 months. Each group included 13 subjects (2 men, 11 women). Inclusion criteria were: between 20 and 66 years of age, Caucasian descent, and BMI ℋ 25 kg/m2 (LC) or BMI > 30 kg/m2 (OC). The baseline characteristics of the control groups are shown in table 1. The controls were embedded in the ‘Kiel intervention cohort’ as part of the ‘Food Chain Plus’ study [17 (link)]. A written informed consent was obtained from each subject before they were included into this study. 11 of the 26 subjects suffered from hypertension, and 7 showed high blood lipids. Two subjects each had diabetes mellitus, liver disease, migraine, acne, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, and gall stones. One each had cardiac insufficiency, multiple sclerosis, and urticaria. In the past, 3 subjects had cancer and biliary operations, and 2 had venous thrombosis. In terms of pharmacotherapy, 7 patients were taking beta blockers, and 6 subjects were taking thyroxine. Five subjects each were on ACE inhibitors and proton pump inhibitors. Three each were taking statins and glucocorticoids. Two were on diabetic therapy, 1 was taking metformin, and 1 was on insulin therapy. Four were taking antidepressant agents, and 5 were taking diuretics. One each was taking sedatives, uricostatics, chelating agents, calcium antagonists, anticholinergic agents, symphatomimetic drugs, antihistamines, uricosuric agents, and fibrates. Four subjects each were taking vitamin or mineral supplements and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Two each were on pain killers and anticoagulants. Subjects were advised not to change the dosage throughout the study period to achieve stable conditions.