MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE
A thoughtfully selected form.
Glycine-bound magnesium, selected in part for tolerability.
500 mg elemental magnesium per day, if assigned
THE MAGNESIUM & ZINC STUDY
Small minerals.
Meaningful
questions.
Help us explore the role of magnesium and zinc in heart health and physical function.
A UC Irvine research study for adults with obesity or elevated BMI and cardiometabolic risk.
Your questions first. Your decision, always.
EXPLORING TOGETHER
Nutrition.
Heart health.
New understanding.
12 weeksof capsules
2 visitsin person at UC Irvine
$0for research-only assessments
Up to $75compensation for your time
01 / THE QUESTION
Better research begins
with people like you.
How might magnesium and zinc affect heart function, physical function, and blood markers? This feasibility study looks at early effects and safety, and whether the study approach works well enough to guide future research.
ZINC PICOLINATE
A specific formulation.
A picolinate-bound zinc formulation selected for this study.
60 mg elemental zinc per day, if assigned
RESEARCH, WITH OVERSIGHT
You may receive magnesium, zinc, both, or placebo capsules. These research doses exceed usual adult upper limits and require study monitoring. Personal health benefits are not guaranteed.
02 / YOUR EXPERIENCE
A clear path.
Support along the way.
Two in-person research visits, capsules at home, and brief phone check-ins. A final safety call follows at Week 14.
12
weeks of capsules
8 capsules each day
4in the morning
4in the evening
The team gives you detailed timing instructions and checks in throughout the study.
Get to know your starting point.
The team reviews eligibility and consent with you. Baseline assessments include heart ultrasound, supervised walking and exercise tests, and fasting blood tests.
At UC Irvine$25 for baseline procedures
A check-in, and time for questions.
At Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10, the study team checks in about your capsules, symptoms, and medicines. Share any concerns or changes with the team.
From homeContinue your assigned capsules
See the study through, together.
Return for repeat research assessments and safety blood tests at the end of the 12-week capsule period.
At UC Irvine$50 for the Week 12 visit
One final safety check.
About two weeks after the capsule period ends, the team calls to follow up on your health and any symptoms.
From homeAbout 14 weeks from start to finish
What are the assessments?
Open a card to learn moreECHOHeart ultrasound
Ultrasound images help the team assess your heart’s structure and pumping function.
CPETSupervised exercise test
A supervised cycling and/or treadmill test measures how your heart, lungs, and body respond to exercise.
6MWTSix-minute walk test
A supervised six-minute walk helps the team assess your physical function.
Research visits also include fasting blood tests. The team explains each assessment and answers your questions before testing.
03 / TAKING PART
Could this study
be right for you?
You may be eligible if you meet these starting criteria. The study team reviews your health, medicines, and other requirements to confirm eligibility.
Ask about eligibility01
Are 18 years or older.
02
Have obesity-range BMI, or elevated BMI with a heart or metabolic risk factor.
03
Have normal heart pumping function and can complete supervised walking and exercise tests.
You do not need to assess this on your own. The study team can talk it through with you.
$0
Research assessments at no cost.
Research-only assessments and study products are provided at no cost.
Up to $75
Your time is recognized.
$25 for baseline procedures and $50 for the Week 12 visit. Payment is based on completed study components, including if you leave early.
A CONTRIBUTION TO SCIENCE
Help shape what comes next.
Your participation may help design future magnesium and zinc studies for cardiometabolic health.
04 / THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STUDY
Different expertise.
A shared commitment.
UC Irvine investigators bring experience in nutrition, cardiology, pharmacy, and research methods to guide the study and its safety oversight.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORSimin Liu
MD, ScD
CO-INVESTIGATORShaista Malik
MD, PhD, MPH
CARDIOLOGYAilin Barseghian El-Farra
MD
CARDIOVASCULAR IMAGINGJennifer S. Xu
MD
CLINICAL PHARMACYChristine Cadiz
PharmD
PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGYNathan D. Wong
PhD, MPH
BIOSTATISTICSLuohua Jiang
MD, PhD
NUTRITION RESEARCHAndrew Odegaard
PhD, MPHSelect a profile to learn about their role. Your coordinator connects you with the appropriate team member for questions and concerns.
05 / YOUR SAFETY & YOUR CHOICE
Careful research.
Informed decisions.
Safety monitoring is built into the study. Before you decide, the team explains the full risks and procedures in the informed consent form.
A review before you begin.
The team reviews your health and medicines, supervises exercise testing, and checks safety blood tests.
A team that stays in touch.
Regular check-ins help identify concerns. Study clinicians can pause or stop capsules for safety.
A choice that stays yours.
You can ask questions and leave at any time without penalty or loss of clinical care.
What should I know about the risks?
Both supplements can cause stomach upset. Higher-dose zinc can lower copper levels, and excess magnesium can build up with reduced kidney function. The study doses exceed usual adult upper limits. These are monitored research doses, not instructions for taking supplements on your own.
Personal health benefits are not guaranteed. The consent form explains all study risks before you decide.
Will I receive magnesium, zinc, or a placebo?
Assignment is by chance to one of four groups: magnesium plus zinc; magnesium plus placebo; zinc plus placebo; or placebo for both. A placebo looks like the study supplement but does not contain the active study mineral. Neither you nor the study staff working with you will normally know your assignment during the study.
Is this a treatment for obesity or heart disease?
No. This is a feasibility study to understand safety, early effects, and how to carry out future research. The supplements are not proven treatments for obesity or heart disease in this study, and personal health benefits are not guaranteed.
What if I already take supplements or medicines?
Tell the study team about all medicines and supplements you take. The team will review them for eligibility and possible interactions, and explain any study requirements. Do not change prescribed medicines on your own.
How is my information protected?
Study information is protected through coded study IDs, secure storage, and restricted access. The consent form explains how your research information is used and protected. This website does not ask you to submit medical information.
What happens after I contact the team?
The coordinator can answer questions and explain the eligibility review and consent process. Contacting the team does not commit you to joining. You will have a chance to review the study information before deciding.
LET’S START WITH A CONVERSATION
A question is a good
place to begin.
Learn more, ask about eligibility, or simply talk through what participation would mean for you.
Email the study team 949-227-7183No commitment to join. Please keep health details out of your first email.
Yanxin (Alfred) Tu
MSc, MSPH
yanxint1@uci.eduSTUDY VISITS
Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
University of California, Irvine
856 Health Sciences Rd, Suite 2600
Irvine, CA 92617