Effects of Daily Beef Intake, as a Component of a Heart-Healthy Diet on Cellular Zinc

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or postmenopausal female 55-70 years of age

• Women: lack of menses for at least two years.

• Subject is willing and able to comply with the study protocols.

• Subject is willing to participate in all study procedures

• Self-reported stable dose of prescribed medications for a minimum of 6 months

• BMI 18.5 - 29.9 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reported use of daily anticoagulation agents including aspirin, NSAIDs

• Prescribed metaformin, statins or medications known to interfere with zinc, protein,or lipid metabolism

• Vegan, Vegetarians, food faddists or those consuming a non-traditional diet (e.g.Adkins, Keto, Paleo, etc.)

• Fruit consumption ≥ 3 cups/day

• Regular consumption of strawberries (2-3 servings/week)

• Vegetable consumption ≥ 4 cups/day

• Coffee/tea ≥ 3 cups/day

• Dark chocolate ≥ 3 oz/day

• Alcohol intake greater than 2 drinks in a day for men, or 1 drink in a day forwomen.

• Self-reported restriction of physical activity due to a chronic health condition

• Self-reported chronic/routine high intensity exercise

• Self-reported diabetes

• Blood pressure ≥ 140/90 mm Hg

• Self-reported renal or liver disease

• Self-reported heart disease, which includes cardiovascular events and stroke

• Peripheral artery disease Raynaud's syndrome or disease

• Inability to properly place or wear the PAT probes or abnormal measurements onpre-screening PAT

• Self-reported cancer within past 5 years

• Self-reported malabsorption

• Unwillingness to stop any supplement use six weeks prior to study initiation,including multivitamin/mineral, powders, herbal, plant or botanical, pro- andprebiotics, and oil supplements.

• Smoking, vaping, cannabis use

• Current enrollee in a clinical research study.