Your Genes Are Not Your Destiny
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Osher Lifelong Learning Center, UCSD
Preoperative Flavanols Supplementation in Elderly Patients to Reduce Inflammatory Markers and Improve Mitochondrial Function
Led by Dr. Byron Fergerson, Clinical Professor and Vice Chair of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego Health, this study evaluated a flavanol-based supplement aimed at supporting recovery and overall health in patients 50 years or older preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery. Participants completed two in-home blood draws, took one 500 mg capsule daily for 14 days, logged their intake, and answered questionnaires. Study findings and latest publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.
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Weight Management: Dissemination and Implementation of Shared Medical Appointments at UC San Diego Health
The UCSD Supervised Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine (SLIM) Program for the treatment of obesity is a virtual SMA program that has a curriculum based on USPSTF recommendations for intensive lifestyle change and meets the requirements of ITLC outlined in the American College of Lifestyle Medicine position statement on ITLC.
It is run by the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Medicine, and in-person assessment visits take place at the UC San Diego Center for Weight Management. The program consists of 12 visits, covering all six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine. There are 2 pre-intervention visits for initial assessments and tailored recommendations and 2 follow-up assessments.
Study Activities
Participation includes 12 virtual group appointments, 2 pre-intervention visits, and 2 post-intervention assessments, focused on lifestyle education and personalized weight management support.
Participant Benefits
Education and tools for long-term weight management through evidence-based lifestyle interventions and support from an integrative health team.
Additional Information
Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anti-Inflammatory Diet Randomized Trial
Dr. Monica Guma, from the Division of Rheumatology at UC San Diego, is conducting a study of a 3-month long program to test nutritional changes for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Study Activities
There will be four, one-hour, face-to-face visits required. Participation will also involve education and support in the adoption of a healthy and nutritionally balanced anti-inflammatory diet. The program includes a detailed baseline orientation, expert nutrition counseling and education, and telephone coaching.
Participant Benefits
Education and support in adopting a healthy and nutritionally balanced anti-inflammatory diet.
Eligibility Criteria
Any patient with rheumatoid arthritis without food allergies can participate.
Additional Information
If you are interested in the study and would like further details, please contact the Nutrition Rheumatoid Arthritis Study Coordinator. You may also review the study flyer here.
Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.
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Evaluating the Effects of Magnesium on Arterial Compliance and Cerebral Blood Flow
This feasibility study aimed to examine whether 12 weeks of magnesium supplementation (450 mg magnesium citrate 3x day with food) might increase cerebral blood flow and reduce the stiffness of the medium-sized arteries in the brain of obese patients with metabolic syndrome. Blood and MRI were measured before and after the intervention.
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Integrative Prehabilitation Program for Patients Facing Surgery
This study supports patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery with a comprehensive integrative care plan. The program includes services before and after surgery and is led by UC San Diego experts in mindfulness, dietetics, and exercise physiology.
Study Activities
A treatment development and feasibility study assessing a 3–5 month integrative pre- and post-habilitation program. The program includes mindfulness sessions with a mindfulness coach (MC), dietary counsel visits with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), and physical fitness consultation visits with an exercise physiologist. The study activities consists of mostly virtual visits and surveys, but also includes in-person visits to complete questionnaires and physical evaluations.
Participant Benefits
All services are provided at no cost. Pre- and post-surgical oral nutrition supplements are provided. Participants may experience improved surgical outcomes, reduced anxiety, and enhanced overall well-being.
Eligibility Criteria
- Adults ages 18–75 undergoing major abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal cancer
- Must enroll at least 4 weeks—and no more than 3 months—prior to surgery
Additional Information
Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.
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Integrative Plant-Based Diet & Behavioral Interventions for Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
This study explored an Integrative Nutrition program for reducing symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). The objective of this prospective single center study is to test a whole-food, plant-based diet with special attention to certain foods for patients with LPR. Eligible patients included adults aged 18 to 89 years old with 8 weeks or more of laryngeal symptoms (dysphonia/voice hoarseness, throat clearing, sore throat, globus, cough, mucus in throat), that were suspected to have potential LPR and receiving concurrent clinical speech therapy at UC San Diego Health. Assessments were conducted before and after an 8-week intervention including in-depth evaluation, dietary counseling, educational materials, with customized meal plans and recipes. The study activities also include completing online assessments.
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Anti-Inflammatory Rich Diet in First Episode Psychosis
The goal of the study was multi-faceted: to develop and test a dietary intervention based on an anti-inflammatory, whole-food-based diet pattern using continuous feedback from early psychosis patients and their families, evaluate the feasibility, satisfaction, and adherence of a 5-week diet intervention, and explore whether the intervention effects weight, metabolic parameters, biomarkers, symptoms of psychosis, and overall well-being. The intervention included individualized dietary counseling, diet education, meal plans, and recipes.
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