Patients with metabolic syndrome (n = 50 adults) attending the Outpatient Lipid and Obesity clinic at the University Hospital of Ioannina. Diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome will be based on the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III).
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The study will exclude patients with triglyceride levels \>500 mg/dL,
Primary hyperparathyroidism, hypercalcemia of any cause,
A history of taking formulations of calcium or vitamin D,
Alcohol consumption \>3 drinks per day for men and \>2 drinks per day for women and women of childbearing age not taking contraceptive measures.
Patients with hypertension may be included in the study if their blood pressure is \<140/90 and the antihypertensive treatment remains constant over the past 3 months (no change of antihypertensive medication during the study).
Finally, patients receiving lipid-lowering medicines or patients who have stopped taking them for less than 4 weeks will be excluded from the study.
