Zinc supplementation to reduce metal toxicity in Navajo communities
Official title: Thinking Zinc: A Study of Zinc Supplementation to Ameliorate Adverse Effects of Mine Waste Exposure on the Navajo Nation
Run by University of New Mexico · NCT03908736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing whether giving zinc supplements to people in Navajo communities can help reduce health problems caused by exposure to harmful metals like uranium and arsenic.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 21 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of New Mexico Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Albuquerque, New Mexico) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 19, 2019 |
| Main results expected | July 2027 |
| Study ends | December 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 4, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT03908736 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are men and women aged 21 to 64 living in or near Blue Gap-Tachee, Arizona, or Red Water Pond Road Community, New Mexico.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who are pregnant, nursing, or have diabetes or specific allergies to zinc may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study assesses the impact of dietary zinc supplementation on reducing biomarkers of metal toxicity in tribal populations exposed to uranium and arsenic. Participants from communities near abandoned uranium mines will receive zinc picolinate to evaluate its effectiveness in mitigating immune dysfunction and other health issues related to metal exposure. The research is part of a broader initiative funded by the NIH Superfund Program, focusing on environmental health in New Mexico's tribal communities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve immune function and overall health in populations affected by metal toxicity.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have explored zinc supplementation for various health benefits, but this specific approach in tribal populations is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men or women between the ages of 21 and 64 years of age * Lives in or near the participating communities of Blue Gap-Tachee Arizona or Red Water Pond Road Community New Mexico * Willing to provide blood and urine samples * Willing to attend study visits on scheduled dates * Willing to take a daily zinc supplement Exclusion Criteria: * Women who are pregnant or nursing or women who plan to become pregnant during the course of the study. * Individuals who have self-reported diabetes, report that they are undergoing treatment for diabetes, or are currently taking medication for diabetes. * Known or suspected allergy to zinc. * Individuals previously diagnosed with syndromes of copper homeostasis (Menkes disease or Wilsons disease). * Individuals consuming zinc supplements or multivitamins and are unwilling to stop for the duration of the study.
Where it's running
-
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Laurie G Hudson, PhD
- Email: lhudson@salud.unm.edu
- Phone: 505-272-2482
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.