Observational

Traditional Healing Systems

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.

RCT of a Nutritional Intervention for Endometriosis

This study aims to determine whether increasing consumption of a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet is effective at improving quality of life and pain, and decreasing inflammation in women with endometriosis. Study outcomes will be measured before and after a 3-month intervention, which includes dietary counseling, education materials, recorded cooking classes, and health coaching sessions.

Study Activities

The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the effectiveness of a 3-month dietary intervention on the quality of life, pain, and inflammation in women with endometriosis. The intervention includes learning and adapting to the Whole Food Plant-Based diet. The diet consists of key plant foods and eliminates animal-based products and processed foods. The study activities also include three visits to complete questionnaires aimed at addressing the study's clinical objectives and to provide blood samples for inflammatory biomarker analysis.

Participant Benefits

Dietary orientation and expert nutrition counseling; WFPB diet education materials and resources; food basket, recipes, and manuals to learn and practice healthy eating.

Eligibility Criteria

Women between 18-45 years old with a diagnosis of Endometriosis who are in stable health condition and medications for the past 3 months

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.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Newborns with Breastfeeding Difficulties

Pending

Mind-Body

This randomized, placebo-controlled study aims to determine improvements in breastfeeding difficulty of hospitalized newborns. The control group receives doctor-distributed standard educational handouts regarding breastfeeding. The intervention group receives a 30-minute Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) session, provided daily until discharge.

This study is in development, and recruitment has not yet begun. Once approved, additional information about study goals, eligibility, and participation requirements will be shared here. In the meantime, you may contact the study team using the email address on this page for more information.

Time-Restricted and Healthy Eating in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Medicinal Foods & Herbs

A feasibility and safety study of a time-restricted, healthy eating intervention in patients undergoing liver-directed therapies for Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 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, appropriately powered, trial to examine effects on HCC clinical outcomes.

Study Activities

Participants will receive nutritional counseling and health coaching on nightly fasting and healthy eating habits throughout the 12-month study. The interventions includes wearing a continuous glucose monitor and an accelerometer for a total of two weeks, 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 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 early or mid-stage liver cancer referred for liver-directed therapy.

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.

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.

Ophthalmology and Diet – Shiley Eye Institute

Glaucoma affects about 80 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of blindness. While there’s no cure, emerging evidence suggests dietary changes—specifically using “food as medicine”—may influence intraocular pressure and systemic health. Shiley Eye Institute and the KCIR are conducting a study examining eye health under a whole‑foods, plant‑based (WFPB) diet.

Study Activities

Learning healthy cooking basics and trying therapeutic recipes
Developing understanding of the energetics of food, cooking, and eating
Attending cooking classes and group meetings (support persons encouraged)
Blood samples for DNA, diet, and visual function analysis
Various eye tests to assess current eye health

Participant Benefits

Education and practical skills in healthy cooking, dietary support, and comprehensive eye health assessments.

Eligibility Criteria

Men or women ages 18–80 with stable open‑angle glaucoma. Additional eligibility requirements may be reviewed with the study coordinator.

Additional Information

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

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Anti-Inflammatory Diet – with the Division of Rheumatology

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.

Integrative Prehabilitation Program for Patients Facing Surgery

Mind-Body

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.

Integrative Plant-Based Diet & Behavioral Interventions for Patients with Laryngopharyngeal Reflux