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Daily Beef Intake and Cellular Zinc Study

This study is looking at how eating beef daily, as part of a heart-healthy diet, affects the amount of zinc inside your cells. Researchers want to see if beef helps your body absorb zinc better, which could improve your metabolism and heart health. They will compare a diet with beef to a diet with other protein sources. You might be able to join if you are a man or postmenopausal woman between 55 and 70 years old, have a BMI between 18.5 and 29, and are willing to follow the study plan. The study will measure how well your small blood vessels work (microvascular function) and your cellular zinc levels after 4 weeks to see if the beef diet has a positive effect. The study aims to enroll 20 participants.

Study design
This is a crossover study comparing a beef-inclusive diet with a non-meat protein diet over two 4-week periods. It plans to enroll 20 participants.
What's involved
You would participate in two 4-week study periods, following specific diets and undergoing measurements for microvascular function and cellular zinc status.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The primary endpoints for microvascular function and intracellular zinc status are measured at 4 weeks.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05236374

Effects of Daily Beef Intake, as a Component of a Heart-Healthy Diet on Cellular Zinc

Recruiting
NAAges 55–70InterventionalPrevention
University of California, Davis
~20 participants
Updated 2026-02-09 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Beef protein

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
microvascular function
Measured over 4 weeks
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Zinc Deficiency
Inflammation
Metabolic Diseases
Vascular Diseases

Explore related trials

InflammationMetabolic DisorderVascular DisorderZinc Deficiency Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Carl L Keen, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Nutrition

Who to contact

Roberta R Holt, PhD
[email protected]
15304005952
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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.

What this trial measures

  • microvascular function4 weeks

    microvascular function as measured by digital tonometry (EndoPAT2000)

  • intracellular zinc status4 weeks

    intracellular zinc status determined by erythrocyte zinc tracer exchange