Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Ophthalmology and Diet – Shiley Eye Institute

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Lifestyle Medicine
Observational

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.

Study Duration
12 months (6 months observation, 6 months active)
Study Compensation
Up to $225
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858‑822‑1643
Sign Up

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

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Integrative Therapies
Observational

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Monica Guma, MD, Ph.D

Study Duration
3 months
Email
z2manalo@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858-822-3745
Sign Up

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

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Natural Products
Experimental

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Thomas Liu, PhD

Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH

Study Duration
12 weeks
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858-249-6896
Sign Up

Integrative Prehabilitation Program for Patients Facing Surgery

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Integrative Therapies
Lifestyle Medicine
Mind-Body
Observational

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Jula Veerapong, MD

Jenn Lee, MD

Study Duration
3-5 months
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858-413-7728
Sign Up

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

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Integrative Therapies
Lifestyle Medicine
Observational

This study explores an Integrative Care Program for reducing symptoms of LPR. Study outcomes will be measured before and after an 8-week intervention including dietary counseling, educational materials, and recipes.

 

Study Activities

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 laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).The intervention includes a Principal Investigator–led orientation video and four telehealth visits with a registered dietitian. The study activities also include completing online assessments.

Participant Benefits

Benefits include dietary orientation and expert nutritional counseling, WFPB diet education materials and recipes, and telehealth support for lifestyle and dietary changes.

Eligibility Criteria

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 are suspected to have potential LPR and are currently receiving concurrent clinical speech therapy at UC San Diego Health.

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Rena Yadlapati, MD

Study Duration
8 weeks
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
858‑249‑6896
Sign Up

Anti-Inflammatory Rich Diet in First Episode Psychosis

Recruiting
Diet & Nutrition
Lifestyle Medicine
Experimental

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Helen Mirzakhanian, PhD

Kristin Cadenhead, MD, Gordon Saxe MD, PhD 

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619-543-7816
Sign Up

Practice Based Research

Practice-based research is central to our mission of advancing integrative health through real-world clinical evidence.

Practice-based research (PBR) is clinical investigation grounded in the outcomes of real-world care. Rather than relying on costly clinical trials, PBR draws from data already collected during integrative health visits—making it a practical, cost-effective way to study what works in everyday settings.


With support from the Krupp Endowed Fund, CIH uses PBR to evaluate the impact of our clinical programs on a range of health conditions. These studies help generate evidence that directly informs patient care, advances best practices, and improves outcomes across our community.


We also collaborate nationally through BraveNet, a 20+ member practice-based research network. Through initiatives like the PRIMIER registry, we contribute to standardized health data collection and cross-institutional insights into integrative medicine.

Active Studies

  • UC San Diego Health Inpatient Acupuncture and Massage
  • Supervised Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine (SLIM) program
  • Center for Integrative Medicine (IM) Outpatient 
  • Food is Medicine (FIM) program
  • Exercise is Medicine (EIM) program
  • Health and Wellness Coaching CPT Code Utilization Study
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Service Study
  • Integrative Medicine (IM) Consult Service Study
  • IM PBR Pre and Post Survey Study

PRIMIER: 5,000 patients
CBD: UC San Diego, UCSF and Northwestern
ACUITY:  NCCIH-funded U01 multicenter feasibility trial (Cleveland Clinics, Vanderbilt, UC San Diego) studying Acupuncture in the Emergency Department

Access PBR Workshop Materials

Visit the Resources page to explore the presentations and worksheets used at the periodically held CME workshops that help clinical faculty learn about and apply PBR in their clinics.

RESOURCES

Get Involved

The Krupp Center for Integrative Research invites faculty, staff, students, and supporters to help advance whole-person health by contributing to a dynamic, equity-informed research community. Through membership, mentorship, and support, you’ll play a role in expanding our network, fueling novel ideas, and translating integrative discoveries into clinical care and policy.

KCIR Membership

Interested in getting your research funded? UC San Diego faculty and staff can apply for Krupp grants by becoming KCIR members. Members receive early notice of funding opportunities, invitations to strategy sessions, access to a vibrant network of peers advancing integrative health—and a voice in shaping the future of our work.

Join the Leadership Circle

Partner with KCIR as a strategic donor—receive early updates and help shape our future direction.

Propose a Collaboration

Bring your bold idea. We welcome mission-aligned proposals from individuals and organizations.

Make a Donation

Make a tax-deductible donation to advance integrative medicine and support high-impact research.

Volunteer or Intern

Support research, communications, or clinical care while gaining experience. Opportunities are open year-round to students and community members.

Research Collaborations

Research Collaborations

CIH partners with academic institutions, health systems, and community organizations to expand the reach and impact of integrative health research. These collaborations strengthen our ability to address health disparities, innovate across disciplines, and bring evidence-based care to underserved populations.

CA Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training

Cassandra Vieten, PhD
Lauray MacElhern, MBA

Discover how 720° Health supports law enforcement wellness across California. This statewide program combines coaching, mindfulness, and tech to foster resilience and healthier agencies

BraveNet

Jeffery Dusek, PhD, Daniel Vicario, MD
Gene Kallenberg, MD

BraveNet is a practice-based research network composed of 32 integrative medicine sites around the United States and world that have joined together to help advance integrative medicine by providing clinical outcomes and cost-benefit data that have previously not been available to the medical and scientific communities.  BraveNet's Patients Receiving Integrative Medicine Effectiveness Registry (PRIMIER) is the largest study conducted to assess the real-world effectiveness of integrative medicine.  

Curebound

Nicholas Webster, PhD
Collaboration is at the center of Curebound’s unique grantmaking platform. All Curebound grants demand collaboration among specialized teams from our research partner institutions, enabling the brightest minds from different scientific disciplines to work together to produce better options and outcomes for patients. This study evaluates time-restricting eating coupled with healthy eating in patients receiving liver-directed therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

National Board of Health & Wellness Coaching

Jessica Matthews, DBH

Explore how health coaching is being integrated into clinical care across California. This multi-site study uses medical record data to evaluate its impact and support future reimbursement.

Rheumatology Research Foundation

Monica Guma, MD, PhD

Programs funded by this foundation train the next generation of rheumatology professionals, help young investigators pursue promising research ideas, and support cutting-edge research projects that will lead to a cure. This collaborative study evaluates whether adherence to an anti-inflammatory diet for several months reduces inflammation by changing metabolites and bacteria found in the intestines in patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.

 

Jonathan and Kathleen Altman Foundation

Jack Gilbert, PhD
This foundation utilizes the concepts of interdependence and emergent growth to guide its support of a wide variety of organizations engaged in understanding the impact of human actions and inactions, while simultaneously addressing the consequences of those impacts on the quality of life. Our collaborative project focuses on soil combats and challenges, resilience, and regeneration.

Ardmore Institute of Health

Deepa Sannidhi, MD

Shared medical appointments (SMAs) are an evidence-based clinical model to address lifestyle change. This study evaluates an SMA called Supervised Lifestyle and Integrative Medicine program.

Ardmore Institute of Health

Jessica Matthews, DBH

Intensive therapeutic lifestyle change (ITLC) interventions are another evidence-based clinical model to address lifestyle change. This study evaluates a Lifestyle Food is Medicine health screening combined with health coaching intervention.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Monica Guma, MD, PhD

The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is a driving force in the development of next-generation treatments and personalized medicine for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — pioneering research, funding clinical trials, and advocating for better access to care. This study employs machine learning for precision diet and well-being in inflammatory bowel disease.

 

Fungi Perfecti

Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH

COVID study in collaboration with Fungi Perfecti

Integrative Research

Integrative Research

Join a collaborative ecosystem dedicated to exploring innovative approaches to integrative health. Whether you're developing a new study or seeking expert partners, we provide the infrastructure, insight, and community to bring your research to life.

Our Partners

Backed by a strong network of academic, clinical, and community partners, the Krupp Center brings deep expertise and proven success in advancing integrative health research. Collaborate with us to scale your impact and drive innovation across disciplines.

LEARN MORE

Integrative Research

This will be new web copy. We offer a breadth of IR offerings and are experienced. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Funded Studies

The Krupp Endowed Fund supports research that advances integrative medicine and improves population health. Explore projects funded to date, reflecting our commitment to clinical impact, cost-effective care, and innovation grounded in real-world practice.

Practice-Based Research

Explore research collaborations that extend CIH’s impact across California and beyond. Our partnerships drive innovation, reach underserved communities, and shape the future of care.

Progress Reports

Access the latest updates from funded projects across CIH. Log in to view report summaries, key milestones, and outcomes from ongoing integrative health research.

Research Collaborations

Our Practice-Based Research Network enables real-world studies across diverse clinical settings, helping us measure outcomes, refine care models, and bring integrative health practices into everyday healthcare delivery.

Subscribe to KCIR