Thinking Zinc: a Study of Zinc Supplements on the Navajo Nation

Thinking Zinc: A Study of Zinc Supplementation to Ameliorate Adverse Effects of Mine Waste Exposure on the Navajo Nation

This is a study to assess the effect of dietary zinc supplementation to mitigate biomarkers of metal toxicity in exposed tribal populations.

Communities living in proximity to abandoned uranium mines have documented exposures to metals in drinking water, soil and dust. Exposure to these metals, principally uranium and arsenic, and metal mixtures is associated with dysregulation of immune function and other health effects. The objective of this study is to conduct an intervention trial to assess the effect of dietary zinc supplementation to mitigate the toxicity of metal exposures. The current project is part of a larger research effort funded by the NIH Superfund Program to study environmental metals exposures in tribal communities in New Mexico.

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.