Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Center Base Path
research

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, 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 Link
Sign Up
Primary Center
KCIR

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

Completed
Diet & Nutrition
Natural Products
Experimental

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. 

Principal Investigator(s)

Thomas Liu, PhD

Ryan Bradley, ND, MPH

Study Duration
12 weeks
Sign Up Link
Sign Up
Primary Center
KCIR

Integrative Prehabilitation Program for Patients Facing Surgery

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

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 Link
Sign Up
Primary Center
KCIR

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

Completed
Diet & Nutrition
Integrative Therapies
Lifestyle Medicine
Experimental

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.  

 

Principal Investigator(s)

Rena Yadlapati, MD

Sign Up Link
Sign Up
Primary Center
KCIR

Anti-Inflammatory Rich Diet in First Episode Psychosis

Completed
Diet & Nutrition
Lifestyle Medicine
Experimental

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.

Principal Investigator(s)

Helen Mirzakhanian, PhD

Kristin Cadenhead, MD

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

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.

Step 1

Review the RFA

Read this essential document for complete details on eligibility, application requirements, timelines, and submission format for the Practice-Based Research program.

REVIEW RFA

Step 2

PBR Application

Submit your proposed study details through the online PBR application form. You will be asked to describe your research question, study design, data needs, timeline, and requested research support. Applications will be reviewed by the KCIR team.

Apply Now

Step 3

Application Review

The KCIR team will review your submission for alignment with our Primary Aim and Objective, feasibility, and requested support. We will contact you within 2–4 weeks to discuss next steps and, if appropriate, schedule a consultation.

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 Support Materials

Visit the PBR Resources page to explore resources, presentations and worksheets to help clinician-scientists learn about and implement practice-based research in clinic.

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, and connection to a vibrant network of peers advancing integrative health.

Join the Leadership Circle

Help shape our future direction by joining the leadership circle with a meaningful annual pledge for at least three years.

Propose a Collaboration

Mission-aligned proposals from individuals and organizations are welcome.

Make a Donation

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

Volunteer or Intern

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

Research Collaborations

Research Collaborations

We collaborate across UC San Diego departments, divisions, and centers to advance clinical research and practice-based initiatives in integrative health. Our partners include investigators who have received Krupp funding, contributed specialized resources, or incorporated KCIR core personnel and services into grant proposals. To propose a collaboration, submit a Collaboration Interest Form.

Collaborating Research Partners

Letters of intent were received from collaborating centers and organizations including the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center, Hamilton Glaucoma Center, La Jolla Institute of Immunology, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, and others, as well as investigators across more than 40 UC San Diego departments and divisions representing over 160 principal investigators. Participating units span Anesthesiology, Family Medicine and Public Health, Psychiatry, Medicine, Pediatrics, Neurosciences, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Rheumatology, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Radiology, and additional clinical and research programs.

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

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.

Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Welcome to the Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Establishing the Evidence Base for Promising Natural Therapies

Join us in transforming healthcare through studies rooted in nutrition, lifestyle, and natural therapies. Whether you're a participant, researcher, or potential partner, your involvement drives innovation and impact.

About the Krupp Center for Integrative Research

The Krupp Center for Integrative Research at UC San Diego is redefining the future of health through high-impact research. Our mission is to discover, apply, and share innovative natural approaches that address root causes of disease and promote whole-person wellness. We bring together leading scientists, clinicians, and collaborators to develop real-world solutions that change practice and policy—locally and globally.

Our research prioritizes growth in three key areas, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach:

Rigorous
Research

We conduct novel, high-quality research that investigates root-cause approaches to healing and wellness. Our work spans clinical trials, observational studies, and practice-based research that meets the highest scientific standards while staying grounded in real-world relevance.

Visibility & Implementation

Generating insights is only part of the mission—we’re also focused on making our findings actionable and accessible. Through publications, public speaking, media campaigns, and community partnerships, we ensure our work reaches clinicians, policymakers, and the public.

Scalable Health
Impact

We pursue scalable models that can be adapted by healthcare systems, institutions, and community providers. Whether developing toolkits for integrative practitioners or piloting new approaches to whole-person care, our goal is to demonstrate, scalable, solutions.

Nutrition and Diet-Based Interventions

Research focused on effects of evidence-based dietary approaches to improve chronic conditions and healthspan.

Mind-Body Therapies

Exploring the impact of mindfulness, meditation, and stress reduction practices on physiological and psychological health

Lifestyle Medicine

Evaluating how daily habits like sleep, movement, and social connection contribute to disease prevention and recovery.

Natural and Integrative Therapies

Investigating the role of medicinal food, herbs, botanicals, and supplements in integrative care.

Your Journey Starts Here

Get Involved with Transformative Integrative Health Research

Looking to Collaborate?

Looking to launch or expand a study? Collaborate with our experienced team to access world-class infrastructure, interdisciplinary support, and a proven track record of successful integrative health research.

PARTNER WITH OUR RESEARCH TEAM

Participate in a Study

Your experience fuels discovery. Join a study that advances care, contributes to science, and supports communities like yours.

EXPLORE ACTIVE STUDIES

Join our Team

Whether you're early in your academic journey or seeking new research directions, we offer fellowships, pilot grants, and collaborative opportunities to support your growth.

BECOME A MEMBER

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