Study protocol

Subjects were instructed to observed an overnight fast lasting between 10 – 12 hours after which five (5) millimetres of blood was collected from each. The blood was then transferred into a lavender top and a red top bottle. Plasma and sera were respectively separated and stored frozen at -80^oC until laboratory analysis. Standard methods were used for the collection of anthropometric indices which included weight (measured in kilogram with clinic measuring scale), height (measured in meters with clinic measuring ruler). Other information such as age, gender, education, occupation, smoking history, alcohol consumption, and medical history including medications were also obtained. The blood pressure was measured for each subject after resting for about ten minutes using the dominant arm while the subject was in a sitting position. The study protocol was reviewed by the Ethics Committees of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and North Central Regional Health Authority, Trinidad and approval was granted by these Ethical Committees.