Patient description: A 3-day-old Asian female infant presents with jaundice that started a day ago. She was born at 38w3d of gestation, after an uncomplicated pregnancy. The family history is unremarkable. The baby is breastfed. Vital signs are reported as: axillary temperature: 36.3°C, heart rate: 154 beats/min, respiratory rate: 37 breaths/min, and blood pressure: 65/33 mm Hg. Her weight is 3.2 kg, length is 53 cm, and head circumference 36 cm. Her sclera are yellow and her body is icteric. No murmurs or any other abnormalities are detected in the heart and lung auscultation. Her liver and spleen are normal on palpation. Laboratory results are as follows: Serum total bilirubin: 21.02 mg/dL Direct bilirubin of 2.04 mg/dL AST: 37 U/L ALT: 20 U/L GGT: 745 U/L Alkaline phosphatase: 531 U/L Creatinine: 0.3 mg/dL Urea: 29 mg/dL Na: 147 mEq/L K: 4.5 mEq/L CRP: 3 mg/L Complete blood cell count within the normal range. She is diagnosed with uncomplicated neonatal jaundice that may require phototherapy.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Metabolic Syndrome Study Population: Patients, followed in our clinics for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention, fulfilling diagnosis for metabolic syndrome (MetS) will be recruited. will require a 2 step process as described. STEP 1: Initial screening; BP, weight and fasting blood samples will be obtained. 1. Men and women, >18 years, meeting the for clinical diagnosis of MetS, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) harmonized definition, where any 3 of the 5 following risk factors cut points constitutes a diagnosis of MetS: 1. Elevated waist circumference: Population and country-specific definitions; Health Canada recommends males 102 cm and women 88cm. 2. Elevated triglycerides: 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L). 3. Reduced HDL: 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) in males; 50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L) in females or treated. 4. Elevated BP: Systolic 130 and/or diastolic 85 mm Hg or treated. 5. Elevated fasting glucose: 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L), or HbA1c ≥6.2%, or treated. 2. Willing to provide informed consent. STEP 2: Baseline plaque volume ≥50 mm3 by 3D US, to ensure sufficient detectable plaque. This will be measured after consent (at Step 1), but prior to randomization/enrolment (Step 2)  Individuals who have had a change in statin and/or diabetes medication therapy or dosing in the last three months; 2. Who are actively having an unstable arrhythmia, angina or heart attack (untreated and/or unstable patients): symptomatic heart failure (NYHA 2 or greater); renal failure (GFR <50 mL/min/1.73m2); 3. Known severe abnormal blood biochemistries: Na <100 or >150 mmol/L, K <2 or >5 mmol/L, Total Serum Ca >3 mmol/L; 4. Known severe liver disease: AST >100 U/L, ALT >80 U/L, or a diagnosis of cirrhosis (Child Pugh Class A to C); 5. Known severe anemia: HgB <70 g/L; 6. Have endocrine disorders, e.g. Cushing's disease, hyper or hypo-thyroidism; 7. Any condition expected to limit survival to less than six (6) months (ex. malignant tumor); 8. A condition limiting adherence to study procedure (i.e. alcoholism, drug addiction, known poor adherence, severe mental disorder); 9. Concomitant treatment with: anticonvulsants; L-C or derivatives; Acenocoumarol (Sintrom) and Warfarin (Coumadin) anticoagulants and vitamin K antagonists; >1g fish oil; and/or thyroid treatment; 10. A seizure disorder or at risk of seizure (CNS mass or medications that lower seizure threshold); receiving treatments for cancer or HIV infection (secondary L-C deficiency); 11. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding; 12. A history of allergy or intolerance to L-C or derivatives; 13. Vegetarians (do not eat animal flesh) due to potential for altered L-C metabolism; 14. Patients who have had a carotid surgery (ie. endarterectomy (CEA) or stent) or who are scheduled to receive carotid surgery during the trial