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

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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
• Email: rrholt@ucdavis.edu
• Phone: 15304005952

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.