THE MAGNESIUM & ZINC STUDY
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.
Magnesium.
Zinc.
Heart health.
New understanding.
01 / THE QUESTION
Can participants follow the capsule routine and complete the study safely? This feasibility study looks at participation, adherence, and safety, while exploring changes in walking distance, grip strength, heart measures, and blood markers to guide future research.
MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE
Magnesium glycinate was selected as the study formulation based on its oral administration profile and anticipated gastrointestinal tolerability.
480 mg elemental magnesium per day, if assigned
ZINC PICOLINATE
Zinc picolinate was selected as the study formulation to provide a standardized oral source of zinc throughout the intervention.
60 mg elemental zinc per day, if assigned
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
Two in-person research visits, capsules at home, and brief phone check-ins. A final safety call follows at Week 14.
8 capsules each day
The team gives you detailed timing instructions and checks in throughout the study.
The team reviews eligibility and consent with you. Baseline assessments include heart ultrasound, a supervised six-minute walk, handgrip strength, blood pressure, body measurements, fasting blood tests, and a diet assessment.
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.
Return for the same research assessments and safety blood tests at the end of the 12-week capsule period. Bring any unused study capsules for the team to count.
About two weeks after the capsule period ends, the team calls to follow up on your health and any symptoms.
Ultrasound images help the team assess your heart’s structure, pumping, and relaxation. A clinician moves a small probe over your chest to collect the images.
While seated, you squeeze a handheld device (dynamometer) that measures grip strength. The team checks for hand or wrist pain first. Testing is done when safe and feasible; a hand or wrist limitation alone does not rule you out.
You walk along a flat course for six minutes while trained staff supervise and record the distance you cover. You can slow down or rest if needed. This measures walking capacity.
At baseline and Week 12, visits also include resting blood pressure, height, weight and waist measurements, fasting blood tests, and a food record or diet questionnaire. Blood tests check mineral levels, blood sugar, other research markers, and supplement safety, including kidney function and copper status. The team explains preparation and each assessment before testing.
Photos show examples of the assessments. Equipment and settings may vary.
03 / TAKING PART
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 eligibilityAre 18 years or older.
Have obesity-range BMI, or elevated BMI with a heart or metabolic risk factor.
Have normal heart pumping function and can safely complete a supervised six-minute walk.
You do not need to assess this on your own. The study team can talk it through with you.
Research-only assessments and study products are provided at no cost.
You receive $25 after baseline procedures and randomization, and $50 after completing the Week 12 visit. Compensation is based on completed study components, including if you leave early.
Your participation may help design future magnesium and zinc studies for cardiometabolic health.
04 / THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE STUDY
UC Irvine investigators bring experience in nutrition, cardiology, pharmacy, and research methods to guide the study and its safety oversight.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATOR
CO-INVESTIGATORSelect 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
Safety monitoring is built into the study. Before you decide, the team explains the full risks and procedures in the informed consent form.
The team reviews your health and medicines, supervises walking and grip assessments, and checks safety blood tests.
Regular check-ins help identify concerns. Study clinicians can pause or stop capsules for safety.
You can ask questions and leave at any time without penalty or loss of clinical care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. The optional eligibility preview runs on your device. Its answers are not sent to the study team or saved, and are cleared when you close the preview or refresh the page.
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
Learn more, ask about eligibility, or simply talk through what participation would mean for you.
Optional, with no commitment to join. Your answers are not sent to the study team or saved. Closing or refreshing clears them. The study team confirms eligibility.
There is no commitment to join. The study team will confirm whether you can take part.
Ask the team about this result
Your answers are not saved or sent to the team, and are not included in the email. Please keep health details out of your first message.
No commitment to join. Please keep health details out of your first email.
MSc, MSPH
yanxint1@uci.eduSusan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
University of California, Irvine
856 Health Sciences Rd, Suite 2600
Irvine, CA 92617
The team confirms the location of each assessment when scheduling.