Actively Recruiting
Thinking Zinc: A Study of Zinc Supplementation to Ameliorate Adverse Effects of Mine Waste Exposure on the Navajo Nation
Led by University of New Mexico · Updated on 2026-06-04
100
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
21 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the effects of dietary zinc supplementation on reducing biomarkers of metal toxicity in tribal communities living near abandoned uranium mines. These communities are exposed to metals like uranium and arsenic through drinking water, soil, and dust, which may disrupt immune function and cause health problems. This study is part of a larger effort funded by the NIH Superfund Program to address environmental metal exposures in New Mexico tribal populations. Participants will receive zinc picolinate supplements at a dose of 15 mg daily for six months. Before starting supplementation, baseline measurements will be taken at 0 and 3 months. After beginning zinc supplementation, assessments will continue at 6 and 9 months. This single-arm study evaluates changes in metal biomarkers and immune-related measures over these time points. Throughout the study, participants will provide blood and urine samples during scheduled visits to monitor metal levels, lymphocyte profiles, cytokine levels, and autoantibody presence. Additional tests include DNA damage and PARP activity assays. The research team will compare these results from before and after zinc supplementation to assess its impact on metal toxicity. Participants are expected to attend all visits and adhere to daily zinc intake for the study duration.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Thinking Zinc: a Study of Zinc Supplements on the Navajo Nation
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Men or women between the ages of 21 and 64 years
- 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
You will not qualify if you...
- 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
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 3 months
Participants have baseline experimental measurements collected before starting zinc supplementation.
2 visits (in-person) at 0 and 3 months
Duration - 6 months
Participants take zinc picolinate 15 mg once per day for 6 months.
1 visit (in-person) at 6 months to collect measurements during treatment
Duration - 3 months
Participants have post-treatment experimental measurements collected to assess the effect of zinc supplementation.
1 visit (in-person) at 9 months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States, 87131
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
L
Laurie G Hudson, PhD
D
Debra MacKenzie, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
1
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