The Effect of Anti-Inflammatory Diet on Clinical and Biologic Outcomes in Long-COVID (PASC) Patients

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a 12-week anti-inflammatory diet (ITIS) among Long-COVID (PASC) patients. This study also explored diet-induced changes in clinical symptoms and plasma inflammatory marker levels. The intervention included individualized dietary counseling and 2 weeks of a Long-COVID ITIS diet plan including a food basket of key ingredients, recipes, and manuals to learn how to follow an anti-inflammatory diet.

Study findings and publications can be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Glutathione Support for Health: A Randomized Trial

This randomized, placebo-controlled study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential effects on glutathione status using a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet among an adult population with type-2 diabetes. The intervention group included educational classes and meal-planning recommendations aiming to increase the intake of glutathione-rich foods. 

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Clinical and Biological Changes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Exposed to an Anti-inflammatory Diet

This pilot study investigated how a short-term anti-inflammatory dietary intervention might reduce pain and inflammation in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Over a two-week period, participants followed a specialized diet (ITIS) rich in omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, while avoiding pro-inflammatory foods such as red meat, gluten, nightshades, and lactose. Researchers observed improvements in joint tenderness, swelling, and overall disease activity, suggesting dietary changes may complement standard RA treatments.

Study findings and publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Clinical, Inflammatory, and Microbiome Effects of Dietary Modification in Women With Endometriosis

This study aimed to determine whether increasing consumption of a Whole-Food Plant-Based (WFPB) diet can improve gut microbiome diversity, quality of life, pain, and inflammation in women with endometriosis. Study outcomes were measured before and after a 3-month intervention, including dietary counseling, online cooking classes, and individual and group health coach sessions. Study findings and publications can be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)

Sanjay Agarwal, MD 

Rob Knight, PhD
Lauren Foster, PhD
Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD 

Primary Center

Aromatherapy and Healing Visual Art for Hospitalized Cancer Patients

The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and explore the potential effects of using aromatherapy and visual mindfulness as complementary therapies to address pain and nausea in hospitalized cancer patients. Aromatherapy involves olfactory stimulation of selected scents via a patch, and visual mindfulness involves watching curated videos by cinematographer Louie Schwartzberg.

Principal Investigator(s)

Jay Varughese, MD

Alice Chen, DO

Primary Center

Mushrooms as COVID-19 Vaccine Adjunct

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.  

Study-related publication(s) may be found in the Outcomes section of this website. 

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) of Immune Supporting Mushrooms for COVID-19

A multi-centered, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety of FoTv (a combination of two polypore mushrooms, Fomitopsis officinalis and Trametes versicolor) for COVID-positive outpatients with mild-to-moderate symptoms. Researchers used changes in 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. Study findings and publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.


 

Principal Investigator(s)
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Plant-Based Dietary Intervention for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients

This study aimed to determine the feasibility of a whole food, plant-based (WFPB) dietary intervention in low-risk patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Secondary outcomes explored whether adherence to a WFPB diet was associated with changes in CLL biomarkers and anthropometric measures of cardiometabolic health. The intervention included 8 live cooking classes, and multiple individual sessions with both a dietitian and health coach.  

Principal Investigator(s)

Ariel Portera, DO

Michael Choi, MD
Melanie Fiorella, MD 

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

Chinese Herbs for COVID-19 Treatment Randomized Trial

A multi-centered, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated 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. Study findings and latest publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)

Andrew Shubov, MD

Gordon Saxe, MD, PhD
Lan Kao, DACM, LAc

Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Primary Center

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 UC San Diego Health, this study evaluated a flavanol-based supplement aimed at supporting recovery and overall health in patients 50 years or older preparing for hip or knee replacement surgery. Participants completed two in-home blood draws, took one 500 mg capsule daily for 14 days, logged their intake, and answered questionnaires.  Study findings and latest publications may be found under the Outcomes section of this website.

Principal Investigator(s)
Study Duration
2 weeks
Study Compensation
Up to $100
Email
krupp-wellness@health.ucsd.edu
Phone Number
619‑929‑0828
Primary Center