Experimental | Centers for Integrative Health

This pilot feasibility study examines whether an 8-week nutritional intervention is acceptable and practical for college students experiencing symptoms of depression. The study investigates how sleep, meal timing, and diet interact to influence mood and daily rhythms in a population vulnerable to circadian disruption. Findings will inform the design of larger clinical trials evaluating lifestyle-based interventions for depression.

Study Activities

Participants take part in a 10–12-week study that includes a 2-week baseline assessment followed by an 8-week dietary intervention. Participants are randomly assigned to follow either a Mediterranean diet alone or a Mediterranean diet combined with time-restricted eating. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and healthy fats such as olive oil, while limiting red meat and highly processed foods. Study activities include completing questionnaires, wearing a sleep and activity monitoring device, and logging meals using a mobile app. The study includes four visits, two of which involve individualized dietary counseling delivered via telehealth, along with ongoing educational materials and optional additional support throughout the intervention period.

Participant Benefits

While direct benefits cannot be guaranteed, some participants may experience improvements in mood, sleep, or overall well-being. Participants will receive personalized dietary guidance from a registered dietitian and may receive up to $150 in compensation for completing study requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible participants are college students aged 18 years or older who are experiencing symptoms of depression.

Primary Center

KCIR

Mushrooms as COVID-19 Vaccine Adjuvant Randomized Trial

Completed

Medicinal Foods & Herbs

Natural Products

Traditional Healing Systems

Experimental

A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety of FoTv (a combination of two polypore mushrooms, Fomitopsis officinalis, and Trametes versicolor) in an adult population at the time of COVID-19 vaccination. Researchers examined the effect of FoTv vs. placebo for use as an adjunct to vaccination for COVID-19. Vaccine-related side effects following COVID-19 vaccination were examined in both study groups.

Primary Center

KCIR

Chinese Herbs for COVID-19 Treatment Randomized Trial

Completed

Integrative Therapies

Medicinal Foods & Herbs

Traditional Healing Systems

Experimental

A multi-centered, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety of mQFPD as a modified form of Qing Fei Pai Du Tang (a Chinese herbal formula that has widely been used in Asia for COVID-positive outpatients with mild-to-moderate symptoms). Researchers used COVID-19 viral load, blood markers, and a 14-day symptom diary to examine the safety, feasibility, and preliminary effects of the study product versus placebo.

Primary Center

KCIR

Time-Restricted and Healthy Eating for Liver Diseases

Recruiting

Diet & Nutrition

Integrative Therapies

Lifestyle Medicine

Experimental

A feasibility and safety study of a time-restricted, healthy eating intervention in patients with liver disease. This twelve-month intervention will focus on prolonged nightly fasting combined with a healthy diet. Successful completion of this feasibility study will provide preliminary data for a larger trial to examine the effects of non-pharmaceutical integrative treatment on liver diseases.

Study Activities

Participants will receive nutritional counseling and health coaching on nightly fasting and healthy eating habits throughout the 12-month study. The interventions include wearing a continuous glucose monitor and an accelerometer, meeting virtually with a dietitian four times, attending four clinic visits in La Jolla, and completing assessments and questionnaires. Participants will also track their eating times daily in the Guava Health Tracker app.

Participant Benefits

While direct health benefits cannot be guaranteed, prolonged nightly fasting could improve sleep, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and enhance metabolic health. Benefits include dietary orientation, expert dietary counseling, education materials, recipes, and access to the Guava health management app. Eligible participants who complete all study visits and requirements may receive up to $200 in compensation.

Eligibility Criteria

Participants may be English or Spanish speaking, must be 18 years or older, have a BMI greater than 27 kg/m², currently practice nightly fasting of less than 12 hours, and be diagnosed with metabolic liver disease (including MASLD, MASH, or cirrhosis) or hepatocellular carcinoma (early to intermediate stages).

Additional Information

Additional study eligibility and participation requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us for screening.

Primary Center

KCIR

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 UCSD Health, this study evaluates a flavanol-based supplement aimed at supporting recovery and overall health in patients 50 years or older preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery.

Study Activities

Participants will complete two in-home blood draws, take one 500 mg capsule daily for 14 days, log their intake, and answer questionnaires.

Participant Benefits

While direct health benefits cannot be guaranteed, the flavanol supplement may reduce inflammation and support antioxidant activity. Other possible benefits include improved cognition, mood, and recovery. Participants may receive up to $100 upon completion.

Eligibility Criteria

Age 50 or older
Reside in San Diego County
Scheduled for hip or knee replacement surgery

Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Primary Center

KCIR

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anti-Inflammatory Diet Randomized Trial

Recruiting

Diet & Nutrition

Integrative Therapies

Experimental

Dr. Monica Guma from the Division of Rheumatology at UC San Diego, together with the Center for Integrative Nutrition and Research, 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.

Primary Center

KCIR

Evaluating the Effects of Magnesium on Arterial Compliance and Cerebral Blood Flow

This feasibility study aims 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 are measured before and after the intervention.

Additional Information

Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator, please contact us for screening.

Primary Center

KCIR

Anti-Inflammatory Rich Diet in First Episode Psychosis

The goal of the study is multi-faceted: to develop and test a dietary intervention based on an anti-inflammatory, whole foods 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 includes individualized dietary counseling, diet education, meal plans, and recipes.

Study analysis in progress.

Primary Center

KCIR

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