Center for Integrative Nutrition

Center Base Path
nutrition

The Wellness Blueprint

Overview

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Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CIN
Audience Type
Public
Program Summary
A four-part group coaching series rooted in lifestyle medicine, turning small shifts in nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress into lasting healthy habits.
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Enrollment requirement

CFM requires a minimum of 10 registrants. Programs with fewer than 10 will be canceled and fully refunded.

Gordon Saxe

First Name
Gordon
Last Name
Saxe
Credentials (Display)
MD, PhD, MPH
Institution Affiliation
UC San Diego
Headshot Image
Headshot of Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH
Titles
Co-Director, Center for Integrative Nutrition
Director, Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Focus Areas
Integrative Medicine
Lifestyle Medicine
Nutrition
Professional Training
Stress Management
Research Areas
Nutritional epidemiology, plant-based dietary interventions, integrative oncology, cancer prevention and survivorship, natural products and immune function
Research Profile URL
https://profiles.ucsd.edu/gordon.saxe
Short Bio

A Preventive Medicine physician and nutritional epidemiologist, Dr. Saxe is an international leader in the 'food as medicine' movement, with pioneering research in whole-food, plant-based dietary interventions for cancer patients.

Bio

Dr. Saxe, a Preventive Medicine physician and nutritional epidemiologist, is Co-Director of the CIM Natural Healing & Cooking program, Course Director of the UC San Diego online certificate program in Integrative Nutrition, and an international expert in the "food as medicine" movement. His research includes whole-food, plant-based dietary interventions with cancer patients.

A Diplomate in Family Medicine, Dr. Saxe has spent much of his career studying how diet and lifestyle influence the course of chronic disease. As Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded clinical trial, he led pioneering research on diet and stress reduction in men with recurrent prostate cancer — examining whether a whole-food, plant-based diet paired with stress-management practices could slow disease progression, and helping to establish the biological mechanisms by which nutrition acts as a therapeutic tool in oncology.

His scholarship spans integrative oncology, cancer prevention and survivorship, and the role of natural products in immune function, with work appearing in journals including Integrative Cancer Therapies and the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. More recently, he has investigated mushroom-derived natural products as adjuncts to immune response, including a randomized clinical trial of polypore mushroom mycelia alongside COVID-19 vaccination.

Through his teaching and program leadership, Dr. Saxe trains physicians, dietitians, and the broader community in the principles of integrative nutrition — translating decades of research into the kitchen, where so much of health begins.

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About CIN

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About Us

The UC San Diego Center for Integrative Nutrition brings together professional training, clinical care, and research in integrative nutrition — embracing food as the cornerstone of health and disease prevention, care, remission, and maintenance, for individuals, communities, and the entire planet.

Meet the Team
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Clinical Care

Our dietitians and physicians combine medical nutrition therapy with integrative and functional medicine — offering counseling, education, and personalized, whole-food, plant-based nutrition therapy across every stage of health: prevention, care, remission, and maintenance.

Conditions We Support
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Education

Home of the Natural Healing & Cooking School and the Certificate in Integrative Nutrition, we teach the core principles of food as medicine — from hands-on plant-based cooking classes streamed to your kitchen to a 140-hour distance-education program for aspiring and practicing health professionals.

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Research

To advance evidence-based nutrition science, we conduct high-potential research on the effects of diet on disease — in collaboration with the UC San Diego Center for Integrative Research.

Explore Research Publications
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Meet the Team
CIN Team

Lauray MacElhern

Lauray MacElhern, PhD
MBA
Managing Director, Centers for Integrative Health
Short Bio

Lauray has spent her career teaching healing cooking and building integrative nutrition programs — co-founding UC San Diego's Natural Healing & Cooking Program and training chefs, clinicians, and communities to put food at the center of health.

Anna Morrell

Anna Morrell
MS, RDN
Integrative Registered Dietitian
Short Bio

Anna is an integrative registered dietitian who takes a whole-person approach to nutrition, specializing in digestive health, disease prevention, and women's health. She also teaches culinary medicine courses that blend cooking with functional foods expertise.

Tiffany Holt

MS, RD
Integrative Registered Dietitian
Short Bio

Tiffany is an integrative registered dietitian nutritionist and research dietitian, passionate about using whole foods for healing and preventing disease. She specializes in metabolic health, gastrointestinal conditions, women's health, and eating disorders.

Gordon Saxe

Headshot of Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD, MPH
MD, PhD, MPH
Co-Director, Center for Integrative Nutrition
Director, Krupp Center for Integrative Research

Short Bio

A Preventive Medicine physician and nutritional epidemiologist, Dr. Saxe is an international leader in the 'food as medicine' movement, with pioneering research in whole-food, plant-based dietary interventions for cancer patients.

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Integrative Clinical Nutrition

Integrative Nutrition Services

Our nutrition services combine medical nutrition therapy with integrative and functional medicine principles through counseling, education, personalized recommendations, and whole-person therapies.

Areas of expertise include the use of a wholesome, plant-based diet to introduce therapeutic foods and recipes, enhance digestive and whole-body health, support condition-specific nutrition needs, encourage restorative movement, integrate lifestyle modifications, and identify opportunities for further assessment and care.

At the Center for Integrative Nutrition, our dietitians and physicians support patients across all stages of health—from prevention and treatment to remission and long-term maintenance—with the goal of optimizing health for individuals, communities, and the planet.

Infographic titled “The Radial: Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy.” Five overlapping colored circles surround a central circle labeled “Personalized Nutrition Care,” which includes the processes: Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, and Evaluation. The central circle is framed by five dimensions of health: Community, Body, Earth, Mind, and Spirit. The five surrounding circles represent key areas considered in personalized nutrition care: * Food, Lifestyle, Environment (blue) * Nutrition, Physical Signs & Symptoms (green) * Biomarkers (yellow) * Metabolic Pathways & Networks (orange-red) * Systems (purple) DNA strand icons appear where the circles overlap, illustrating interconnected biological influences. Additional external factors shown around the diagram include Allergens & Intolerances, Stress, Toxins, and Pathogens. Faint background illustrations within each circle depict concepts such as food, exercise, anatomy, metabolism, and laboratory testing, emphasizing a whole-person, systems-based approach to nutrition and health.

 

Conditions and Concerns We Support

  • Women’s health, including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum care, PCOS, and endometriosis
  • High body weight and post-surgical weight management support
  • Low body weight, malnutrition, and eating disorders
  • Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, including intestinal dysbiosis, IBS, IBD, GERD, functional gut disorders, and malabsorption
  • Nutrient optimization, including pre- and post-surgical nutrition support and screening for vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Hormone imbalances and disorders, including thyroid conditions
  • Food intolerances and allergies
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction disorders
  • Cancer
  • Mood and memory disorders
  • Advanced athletic and fitness training

Additional Services

  • Nutrient analysis and personalized nutrition planning
  • Laboratory testing recommendations and interpretation
  • Functional nutrition testing
  • Physical assessment
  • Screening for food, medication, and supplement interactions
  • Guidance on functional foods and therapeutic nutrition strategies
  • Recommendations regarding nutrition supplements
  • Collaborative care coordination with your healthcare team

Specialty Nutrition Services

In addition to individualized nutrition counseling, the Center for Integrative Nutrition offers specialty programs designed to provide focused support for specific health goals and conditions. These services are available as one-on-one counseling packages and, when available, in a group-based class format.

Specialty Programs

  • Natural Healing and Cooking
  • Digestion Therapy Intensive
  • Natural Total-Body Cleanse
  • Comprehensive Elimination Diet for Food Allergies
  • Integrative Weight Management
  • Integrative Pre-Natal, Post-Natal, and Pediatric Nutrition
  • Post-Surgery Nutrition and Support
  • Integrative Diabetes Mellitus Series
  • Integrative Hypertension Series
  • Dysbiosis Nutritional Treatment

Select programs may include hands-on cooking demonstrations led by a professional chef, health coaching support, educational resources, and other integrative approaches to help participants build sustainable lifestyle habits.

Interested in Participating?

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in any of these specialty services, either individually or as part of a group course, we encourage you to contact us by calling 844-747-0474 or sending an email to cininfo@ucsd.edu

Community interest helps us prioritize and develop future one-on-one packages and group offerings that support meaningful, evidence-informed paths to wellness.

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Interested in becoming a new patient with us?

Integrative nutrition services are most often a referral-based appointment made in conjunction with a physician or nurse practitioner on your care team.

See Patient Requirements
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Recipes

Resource Type
Link
English
Resource Categories
Nutrition
Resource Summary
View our expansive recipe database of nutritious meals tailored to accommodate various diets and needs.
Resource URL
/nutrition/recipes
Thumbnail Image
image
Primary Center
CIN
Resource Audience
Public

Food as Medicine: Cooking School

Overview

Food as Medicine at Home offers hands-on cooking classes streaming from the comfort of your own kitchen. Classes apply plant-based nutrition principles to support balanced healthy eating habits.

Participants learn about key nutrients—fat, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals—as well as therapeutic approaches for managing body weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, gut health, inflammation, hormones, and longevity.

Course Highlights

  • Learn the benefits of functional ingredients, food combinations, and dietary patterns
  • Apply therapeutic nutrition principles to common health challenges
  • Experience plant-based recipes that are easy to prepare and delicious
  • Develop cooking skills for menu planning, bulk cooking, and batch cooking
  • Live Q&A with an integrative registered dietitian each class

Class 1 – Natural Detox Support

Gentle detoxification to combat chronic disease, inflammation, and aging.

  • Culinary focus: Cooking methods for nutrient preservation; reducing toxin exposure
  • Health focus: Supporting natural detox pathways
  • Activity: Habit Tracker
  • Recipes: Collard Wrapped Chickpea Tapenade, Tahini Dipping Sauce, Quick Pickled Vegetables, Ginger Peach Iced Tea

Class 2 – Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods

Functional foods with anti-inflammatory benefits.

  • Culinary focus: Preparing pulses and whole grains; batch cooking
  • Health focus: Fiber and microbiome health
  • Activity: Meal planning
  • Recipes: Herb and Citrus Baked Salmon (or Tofu), Forbidden Rice with Ginger Turmeric Dressing, Miso Glazed Bok Choy, Triple Berry Apple Chia Compote

Class 3 – Fiber & Natural GLP-1 Boosters

Foods that naturally support satiety, digestion, and the body's innate GLP-1 production.

  • Culinary focus: Pulses, whole grains, batch cooking
  • Health focus: Satiety, digestion, metabolic health
  • Activity: Meal planning + probiotic food take-home recipes
  • Recipes: Lentil Bolognese, Go Green Buckwheat Risotto, Sparkling Green Tea with Basil Seeds

Class 4 – Ayurvedic Nutritional Healing

An introduction to Ayurvedic cooking: achieving balance among mind, body, and "dosha."

  • Culinary focus: Cooking to sustain a healthy diet
  • Health focus: Macronutrients, micronutrients, and functional foods for disease
  • Activity: Menu and recipe adaptations
  • Recipes: TBD

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is each class?
Each class is 1.5 hours via Zoom. Plan 30–60 minutes before and after for grocery prep and cleanup.

Is this a vegan cooking class?
Yes, all recipes are 100% plant-based. The broader approach focuses on whole-food, plant-based eating; animal proteins may be discussed in context.

Will food allergies be considered?
Yes. Please indicate any food allergies at registration so the instructor can offer substitutions.

Can my family members participate?
Immediate household members are welcome to cook along. Those outside your home should register separately.

What technology is needed?
All classes are held via Zoom. You'll need a Zoom-compatible device. Links are sent weekly before class.

Can I contact the instructor outside of class?
Yes — email CINinfo@health.ucsd.edu.

Cancellation Policy

A refund (minus your $50 non-refundable/non-transferable deposit) will be made for cancellations submitted in writing up to 7 days prior to the event start date by emailing mindfulness@health.ucsd.edu. No refunds will be allowed within 6 days of the event start date.

Please be aware that the registration fee, deposits, and funds are non-transferable to other programs.

In the unlikely event that the course is cancelled, UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is responsible only for a full refund of the registration fee. In regards to in-person programs, the center is not responsible for any refunds to transportation, hotel accommodations, or any miscellaneous expenses.

Refunds are processed using the same method as the original payment (unless past 180 days).

Contact Email
cininfo@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center
CIN
Focus Areas
Behavior Change
Lifestyle Medicine
Nutrition
Price
$40/class
Pricing Details
Classes are sold individually at $40 each. No series bundle pricing currently offered. Groceries purchased separately.
Subscribe Link
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/QlkK9mI
Audience Type
Public
Program Summary
Hands-on virtual cooking classes applying plant-based nutrition to support your health. Four 90-minute classes via Zoom with a CIN registered dietitian.
Use phased schedule
On
Program Session
https://na.eventscloud.com/foodasmedicinecookingschool
Online
  • Class 1 – Natural Detox Support: Thursday, March 26, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 2 – Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods: Thursday, April 23, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 3 – Fiber & Natural GLP-1 Boosters: Thursday, May 28, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT
  • Class 4 – Ayurvedic Nutritional Healing: Thursday, June 25, 12:00–1:30 PM PDT

Registration includes a digital class manual and recipe deck. Groceries are purchased separately; recipes typically cost $4.50–$6.50 per serving and yield 4–8 servings per class.

New Patients

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Contact Us for An Appointment

We are currently only accepting new patients who are currently enrolled in the UC San Diego Health care system. If you would like to receive care with a healthcare professional at the Centers for Integrative Nutrition, please contact us to schedule an appointment:

Phone: 844-747-0774

Email: cininfo@ucsd.edu

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After Your Initial Appointment
1. Obtain a Referral

A referral from your physician will be needed to see one of our providers. Be sure to schedule an appointment with your physician or medical specialist to obtain a referral.

https://myucsdchart.ucsd.edu/ucsd/Authentication/Login?
2. Complete the Outside Records Release Form

Once your referral has been obtained, please complete this form to authorize the sharing of relevant medical information with our care team.

https://cih.sdsc.edu/media/634/
3. Three Day Food Journal

Please document everything you have eaten and consumed over the past 72 hours. This information will help our providers better understand your nutritional habits and tailor your treatment plan to your individual needs.

https://cih.sdsc.edu/media/634/

Farm Bureau San Diego County – Certified Farmers Markets and CSAs

Resource Type
Link
English
Resource Categories
Nutrition
Resource Summary
The mission of the Farm Bureau of San Diego County is to represent San Diego agriculture through public relations, education, and public policy advocacy in order to promote the economic viability of agriculture balanced with appropriate management of natural resources.
Resource URL
http://sdfarmbureau.org/BuyLocal/Farmers-Markets.php
Thumbnail Image
Primary Center
CIN
Resource Audience
Public

Seasonal Food Guide

Resource Type
Link
English
Resource Categories
Nutrition
Resource Summary
We designed the Seasonal Food Guide to help you find out what produce is in season in your state throughout the year. By purchasing local foods in season from local farms, your food dollar goes directly to farmers, you eliminate environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and you’ll enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Plus, local, seasonal produce just tastes better!
Resource URL
https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
Thumbnail Image
Primary Center
CIN
Resource Audience
Public
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