Oligosaccharides composition for preventing or reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome

1. A method for lowering levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and/or non-esterified fatty acids in a human, the method comprising administering to a human with elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and/or non-esterified fatty acids an effective amount of a galactooligosaccharide composition comprising a mixture of galactooligosaccharides comprising disaccharides Gal (β1-3)-Glc; Gal (β1-3)-Gal; Gal (β1-6)-Gal; Gal (α1-6)-Gal; trisaccharides Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-4)-Glc; Gal (β1-3)-Gal (β1-4)-Glc; tetrasaccharide Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-4)-Glc and pentasacharide Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-6)-Gal (β1-4)-Glc;

wherein the galactooligosaccharide composition is administered without a probiotic strain.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the composition is in the form of a freeze-dried powder, a syrup, or a pastille.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the galactooligosaccharide composition is administered orally on a daily basis as a single dose or two separate doses.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein the composition is in the form of a freeze-dried powder composition, comprising from 1.35 g to 9.6 g of galactooligosaccharides in 2.75 g to 20 g of the freeze-dried powder composition.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the composition is in the form of a syrup composition, comprising from 1.35 g to 9.6 g of galactooligosaccharides in 3.55 g to 25.29 g of the syrup composition.