Understanding Zinc and Genes in Prediabetes
Clinical and Nutrigenetic Assessment of Zinc in Patients with Prediabetes
This research explores how zinc and your genes might work together to affect prediabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11112485 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people have prediabetes, a condition that can lead to serious health problems like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Currently, lifestyle changes are the main way to manage prediabetes, but we need more options to slow or prevent its progression. This project looks at how zinc, an important mineral, influences insulin and blood sugar in the body. We also want to understand if certain genetic differences affect how zinc works in your body. By studying these factors, we hope to find new ways to help people with prediabetes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals diagnosed with prediabetes.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have prediabetes or are already managing established type 2 diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies, possibly involving zinc supplementation, to slow or prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous investigations, primarily in type 2 diabetes patients, have shown that zinc supplementation can have positive effects on blood sugar levels.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Joshua Patrick — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Joshua Patrick
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.