Gordon Saxe

First Name
Gordon
Last Name
Saxe
Credentials (Display)
MD, PhD, MPH
Institution Affiliation
UC San Diego
Headshot Image
Headshot of Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH
Titles
Co-Director, Center for Integrative Nutrition
Director, Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Focus Areas
Integrative Medicine
Lifestyle Medicine
Nutrition
Professional Training
Stress Management
Research Areas
Nutritional epidemiology, plant-based dietary interventions, integrative oncology, cancer prevention and survivorship, natural products and immune function
Research Profile URL
https://profiles.ucsd.edu/gordon.saxe
Short Bio

A Preventive Medicine physician and nutritional epidemiologist, Dr. Saxe is an international leader in the 'food as medicine' movement, with pioneering research in whole-food, plant-based dietary interventions for cancer patients.

Bio

Dr. Saxe, a Preventive Medicine physician and nutritional epidemiologist, is Co-Director of the CIM Natural Healing & Cooking program, Course Director of the UC San Diego online certificate program in Integrative Nutrition, and an international expert in the "food as medicine" movement. His research includes whole-food, plant-based dietary interventions with cancer patients.

A Diplomate in Family Medicine, Dr. Saxe has spent much of his career studying how diet and lifestyle influence the course of chronic disease. As Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded clinical trial, he led pioneering research on diet and stress reduction in men with recurrent prostate cancer — examining whether a whole-food, plant-based diet paired with stress-management practices could slow disease progression, and helping to establish the biological mechanisms by which nutrition acts as a therapeutic tool in oncology.

His scholarship spans integrative oncology, cancer prevention and survivorship, and the role of natural products in immune function, with work appearing in journals including Integrative Cancer Therapies and the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. More recently, he has investigated mushroom-derived natural products as adjuncts to immune response, including a randomized clinical trial of polypore mushroom mycelia alongside COVID-19 vaccination.

Through his teaching and program leadership, Dr. Saxe trains physicians, dietitians, and the broader community in the principles of integrative nutrition — translating decades of research into the kitchen, where so much of health begins.

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Food as Medicine: Cooking School

Overview

Food as Medicine at Home offers hands-on cooking classes streaming from the comfort of your own kitchen. Classes apply plant-based nutrition principles to support balanced healthy eating habits.

Participants learn about key nutrients—fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals—as well as therapeutic approaches for managing body weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, gut health, inflammation, hormones, and longevity.

Course Highlights

  • Learn the benefits of functional ingredients, food combinations, and dietary patterns
  • Apply therapeutic nutrition principles to common health challenges
  • Experience plant-based recipes that are easy to prepare and delicious
  • Develop cooking skills for menu planning, bulk cooking, and batch cooking
  • Live Q&A with an integrative registered dietitian each class

Class 1 – Natural Detox Support

Gentle detoxification to combat chronic disease, inflammation, and aging.

  • Culinary focus: Cooking methods for nutrient preservation; reducing toxin exposure
  • Health focus: Supporting natural detox pathways
  • Activity: Habit Tracker
  • Recipes: Collard Wrapped Chickpea Tapenade, Tahini Dipping Sauce, Quick Pickled Vegetables, Ginger Peach Iced Tea

Class 2 – Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods

Functional foods with anti-inflammatory benefits.

  • Culinary focus: Preparing pulses and whole grains; batch cooking
  • Health focus: Fiber and microbiome health
  • Activity: Meal planning
  • Recipes: Herb and Citrus Baked Salmon (or Tofu), Forbidden Rice with Ginger Turmeric Dressing, Miso Glazed Bok Choy, Triple Berry Apple Chia Compote

Class 3 – Fiber & Natural GLP-1 Boosters

Foods that naturally support satiety, digestion, and the body's innate GLP-1 production.

  • Culinary focus: Pulses, whole grains, batch cooking
  • Health focus: Satiety, digestion, metabolic health
  • Activity: Meal planning + probiotic food take-home recipes
  • Recipes: Lentil Bolognese, Go Green Buckwheat Risotto, Sparkling Green Tea with Basil Seeds

Class 4 – Ayurvedic Nutritional Healing

An introduction to Ayurvedic cooking: achieving balance among mind, body, and "dosha."

  • Culinary focus: Cooking to sustain a healthy diet
  • Health focus: Macronutrients, micronutrients, and functional foods for disease
  • Activity: Menu and recipe adaptations
  • Recipes: TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each class?
Each class is 1.5 hours via Zoom. Plan 30–60 minutes before and after for grocery prep and cleanup.

Is this a vegan cooking class?
Yes, all recipes are 100% plant-based. The broader approach focuses on whole-food, plant-based eating; animal proteins may be discussed in context.

Will food allergies be considered?
Yes. Please indicate any food allergies at registration so the instructor can offer substitutions.

Can my family members participate?
Immediate household members are welcome to cook along. Those outside your home should register separately.

What technology is needed?
All classes are held via Zoom. You'll need a Zoom-compatible device. Links are sent weekly before class.

Can I contact the instructor outside of class?
Yes — email CINinfo@health.ucsd.edu.

Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
cininfo@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CIN
Focus Areas
Behavior Change
Lifestyle Medicine
Nutrition
Price
$40/class
Pricing Details
Classes are sold individually at $40 each. No series bundle pricing currently offered. Groceries purchased separately.
Subscribe Link
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/QlkK9mI
Audience Type
Public
Program Summary
Hands-on virtual cooking classes applying plant-based nutrition to support your health. Four 90-minute classes via Zoom with a CIN registered dietitian.
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Program Session
https://na.eventscloud.com/foodasmedicinecookingschool
Online
  • Class 1 – Natural Detox Support: Thursday, March 26, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 2 – Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods: Thursday, April 23, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 3 – Fiber & Natural GLP-1 Boosters: Thursday, May 28, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 4 – Ayurvedic Nutritional Healing: Thursday, June 25, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT

Registration includes a digital class manual and recipe deck. Groceries are purchased separately; recipes typically cost $4.50–$6.50 per serving and yield 4–8 servings per class.

mPEAK Coach Certification Program

Overview

mPEAK is an intensive course in mindfulness training for those who seek to draw upon this proven practice to achieve their goals—both personal and professional—while reaching new levels of performance and success. This cutting-edge 8-week course is built around the latest brain research related to peak performance, resilience, focus, and "flow." The mPEAK program enhances the human capacity for mindfulness through established and empirically supported practices and exercises, tailored to the needs of teams, organizations, and individuals.

As with physical training, this mental-emotional program is grounded in the understanding that optimal outcomes occur when participants engage in daily practice. Mindfulness is effective because it becomes a way of being and relating to all aspects of life, rather than a technique used only for specific goals. The foundation of this program is drawn from the highly respected and empirically supported Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, while also incorporating practices aligned with recent neuroscientific findings and research on optimal performance.

The mPEAK program was developed in collaboration with the U.S. National BMX Cycling Team in 2014, bringing together team coaches, UC San Diego neuroscientists Drs. Lori Haase and Martin Paulus, and the UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness Founding Director Dr. Steven Hickman and former Managing Director Allan Goldstein.

Whether you are an athlete, business professional, or simply interested in integrating mindfulness with the latest neuroscience to perform at your best, we invite you to join the mPEAK program and share it with colleagues and friends.

Become a Certified mPEAK Coach

Bring mPEAK to your athletes, organization, or clients. The mPEAK Coach Certification Program guides you through a structured three-phase pathway — from Coach in Training to fully Certified mPEAK Coach — with hands-on practicum and individual mentorship.

Learn About Coach Certification

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Objectives

Building on a previously established foundation of mindfulness, the mPEAK Coach Training Intensive course will equip coaches to::

  • Describe mindfulness in a performance related context
  • Demonstrate performance based variations of traditional MBSR guided practices
  • Articulate 7 Foundational Attitudes of the Mindful Performer
  • Discuss relevant neuroscience research
  • Explain the 4 Pillars of mPEAK
  • Apply coaching psychology skills to existing inquiry skills (Action & Integration)
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Participant Guidelines

  • Previous participation in mPEAK 3-Day Intensive + 6 week virtual follow up
    (If you have not attended the mPEAK 3-day Intensive, see the workshop page.)
  • Previous participation in an introductory mindfulness course of any kind, including mPEAK (8-week course or 3-Day Intensive), Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) or UCLA Mindful Awareness Training (MAT).
  • Ongoing, daily, sitting mindfulness meditation practice for at least one year
  • Professional experience as a mindfulness teacher or in a performance related context (Athletic Coach, Sports Psychologist, Personal Trainer, Leadership or Executive Coach, Yoga Instructor, Music, Dance or Art Teacher)
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Required Application Form

Upon submission of your registration, you will be required to fill out an online mPEAK Coach Training Intensive Application. The link to the application form will be included in your confirmation email.

Your application for this training will not be taken under consideration until the application form has been received via email. Should your qualifications not be accepted for admittance, a full refund will be granted.

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Cultural and Linguistic Competency Statement

This activity is in compliance with California Assembly Bill 1195 which requires continuing medical education activities with patient care components to include curriculum in the subjects of cultural and linguistic competency. Cultural competency is defined as a set of integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills that enables health care professionals or organizations to care effectively for patients from diverse cultures, groups, and communities. Linguistic competency is defined as the ability of a physician or surgeon to provide patients who do not speak English or who have limited ability to speak English, direct communication in the patient’s primary language. Cultural and linguistic competency was incorporated into the planning of this activity. Additional resources can be found on the UC San Diego CME website.

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Frequently Asked Questions

⌃ What Should I Expect Regarding The Format Of The Training?

This training is taught in an intensive experiential format, which means there is a great deal of mindfulness practice embedded in the training, and we want to reiterate that now so you are not surprised when you get here.

⌃ What Should I Read Prior To Arriving?

Check the recommended reading of the specific training you are registered to attend.

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Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CFM
Focus Areas
Lifestyle Medicine
Mindfulness
Professional Training
Stress Management
Price
N/A
Audience Type
Professional
Program Summary
An immersive training for mindfulness teachers to expand into high-performance coaching—equipping them with the skills, practices, and experiential foundation to help athletes, leaders, and professionals enhance performance and well-being through mindfulness.
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Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

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