Your plate may be hiding toxic metals: new study investigates
NCT ID NCT07235332
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at how different diets—vegetarian/vegan, low-carb, and omnivorous—affect levels of toxic metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury in the body. Researchers will collect blood, urine, and food samples from 250 healthy adults aged 20 to 49. The goal is to find links between diet and metal exposure to improve public health recommendations.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help identify which diets are linked to higher heavy metal levels, leading to better public health advice.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational study, not a treatment trial. It only measures exposure and cannot prove cause and effect. Results may not apply to other populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 250 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Aug 2025
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
We will initiate participant recruitment through social media outreach, targeting students from Ariel University as well as other academic institutes and areas located nearby Ariel University (the operating institution of the study). Eligible participants who will sign informed consent include young adults (20-45 years), identifying as vegetarians/vegans ("plantbased diet"; aim for 20% vegans), omnivores ("regular diet"), or low-carbohydrate diet followers ("animal-based diet" such as paleo, ketogenic diets, etc.) and following these diets for a minimum of one year (the statement on the personal diet pattern will be verified by using by a validated food frequency questionnaire \[FFQ\]) developed by the Israeli Ministry of Health, Department of Nutrition (adapted from (Berman et al., 2023).
- Ages
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20 to 49 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 20 to 49 years * Generally healthy * Following a specific diet (vegetarian/vegan, low-carbohydrate, or omnivorous) for at least one year * Completion of all required screenings, including questionnaires, blood tests, morning urine sample, BIA, and DXA Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Chronic illness or history of cancer * High risk of heavy metal exposure (based on occupational data) * Age outside 20 to 49 years * Body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 kg/m² * Incomplete data submission
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Ariel University
Ariel, Israel