The subjects were placed at random into the treatment (n ¼ 60)
or placebo (n ¼ 60) groups. The randomisation sequence used in
the trial was generated by a computerised random-number
generator version software SPSS16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, USA)
with a permuted block design that placed the subjects into the two
study groups at random while stratifying for age and gender. The
subjects were given sachets containing either 110 mL pasteurised
yoghurt or 110 mL of the placebo (pasteurised milk) to be
consumed twice daily for 7 weeks. The experiment was a doubleblinded
with the subjects and clinical researchers not knowing
which product was the placebo