Our antibiotic studies indicated that cholesterol lowering was seen when fecal bifidobacterial counts were increased. Due to the dangers associated with prolonged antibiotic use we have been funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation to see if gut bacteria can be modified by non-antibiotic means. Inulin a dietary fiber found in artichokes, chicory, leaks, onion, etc., (which also produces flatulence) has been shown to increase bifidobacteria and also appears to lower serum cholesterol. We will therefore test the fiber to determine its effectiveness in lowering serum cholesterol and whether it can be used to maximize the cholesterol-lowering effects of soy protein foods and viscous fiber foods (e.g. oats and psyllium).