Daily beef intake's impact on zinc absorption and heart health

Effects of Daily Beef Intake, as a Component of a Heart-Healthy Diet, on Cellular Zinc Status and Vascular Function in Older Adults

This study is testing if eating beef every day can help people aged 55 to 70 absorb more zinc and improve their heart health compared to other protein sources.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 55 Years to 70 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of California, Davis (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Davis, California)
• Trial ID: NCT05236374 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates how daily beef consumption may enhance the absorption of dietary zinc into cells, potentially improving metabolic function and cardiovascular health. Participants aged 55 to 70 will follow a crossover diet plan that includes beef versus non-meat protein sources over two 4-week periods. The primary outcomes will assess cellular zinc status through erythrocyte zinc tracer exchange and microvascular function using digital peripheral tonometry. The goal is to determine if beef can uniquely support zinc-dependent processes that benefit heart health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are males or postmenopausal females aged 55-70 who are at risk for zinc deficiency and cardiovascular disease.

Not a fit: Patients who are vegan, vegetarian, or have restrictive diets may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to dietary recommendations that improve zinc absorption and cardiovascular health in older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results regarding zinc absorption and cardiovascular health, but this specific approach using beef is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or postmenopausal female 55-70 years of age
* Women: lack of menses for at least two years.
* Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocols.
* Subject is willing to participate in all study procedures
* Self-reported stable dose of prescribed medications for a minimum of 6 months
* BMI 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self-reported use of daily anticoagulation agents including aspirin, NSAIDs
* Prescribed metaformin, statins or medications known to interfere with zinc, protein, or lipid metabolism
* Vegan, Vegetarians, food faddists or those consuming a non-traditional diet (e.g. Adkins, Keto, Paleo, etc.)
* Fruit consumption ≥ 3 cups/day
* Regular consumption of strawberries (2-3 servings/week)
* Vegetable consumption ≥ 4 cups/day
* Coffee/tea ≥ 3 cups/day
* Dark chocolate ≥ 3 oz/day
* Alcohol intake greater than 2 drinks in a day for men, or 1 drink in a day for women.
* Self-reported restriction of physical activity due to a chronic health condition
* Self-reported chronic/routine high intensity exercise
* Self-reported diabetes
* Blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg
* Self-reported renal or liver disease
* Self-reported heart disease, which includes cardiovascular events and stroke
* Peripheral artery disease Raynaud's syndrome or disease
* Inability to properly place or wear the PAT probes or abnormal measurements on pre-screening PAT
* Self-reported cancer within past 5 years
* Self-reported malabsorption
* Unwillingness to stop any supplement use six weeks prior to study initiation, including multivitamin/mineral, powders, herbal, plant or botanical, pro- and prebiotics, and oil supplements.
* Smoking, vaping, cannabis use
* Current enrollee in a clinical research study.

Where this trial is running

Davis, California

• University of California, Davis; Department of Nutrition — Davis, California, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Carl L Keen, PhD — Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nutrition
• Study coordinator: Roberta R Holt, PhD

Conditions Zinc Deficiency; Inflammation; Metabolic Diseases; Vascular Diseases