Iron Absorption in The Low Oxygen Exposure and Weight Status (LOWS) Study (NCT07542873)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Declines in iron status are common in those with obesity and may be due to obesity-related chronic inflammation; however, the effects of reducing inflammation following diet-induced weight loss on iron metabolism are poorly understood. Low environmental oxygen exposure increases dietary iron absorption and availability to supply iron for erythropoiesis but has not yet been tested in the context of weight loss. This study is designed to investigate diet-induced weight loss (inflammation reduction) and overnight low oxygen exposure (erythropoiesis stimulating agent) as strategies to improve dietary iron absorption in obesity.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (14 items).
Location: Pennington Biomedical Research Center — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Living in areas that are more than 1,200 m (\~4,000 feet), or have traveled to areas that are more than 1,200 m for five days or more within the last 2 months
- Cardiovascular abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, or any condition that interferes with oxygen delivery/transport (e.g., kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
- Oxygen saturation \< 95% while awake or oxygen saturation dips below 88% for a total of ≥ 10 min overnight in normoxic conditions
- Evidence of apnea or other sleeping disorders
- Evidence of prior high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) diagnosis
- Diagnosis or family history of sickle cell anemia/trait
- Hematocrit \<42% for males, \<36% for females
- Hemoglobin \<13 g/dL for males, \<12 g/dL for females
- Blood donation within 8 weeks of beginning the study
- Present condition of alcoholism, anabolic steroids, or other substance abuse issues
- Women who are pregnant, lactating, planning to become pregnant, or who have had an irregular menstrual cycle in the past 6 mo.
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.