Research & Clinical Trials

Impact of Anti-Inflammatory Whole-Food Diet in Crohn's Disease and Predicting Response to Therapy

Diet has a strong influence on the composition of the bacteria in our gut and can be important if we want to modify CD symptoms and activity. There is still a great gap in research as to which diets and what diet therapy would be most effective. Previous studies have shown that certain diets were more effective for managing CD symptoms. The aim of the study is to test two different diets and their effect on CD. This is a randomized, single-blind, controlled trial. 

Status: Recruitment Ongoing

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

For more information contact

Jeraldine Guzman, MA

Clinial Study Coordinator

[email protected]

310-206-8292

The IDEA Study:  Intervention with Diet & Exercise for Women Taking Aromatase Inhibitors

The purpose of this study is to determine if  our bone strengthening exercise intervention and our anti-inflammatory Mediterranean dietary intervention will alleviate medication side effects such as joint and bone pain and protectively influence bone mineral density and improve heart functioning  among women taking Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s).

Status: Recruitment Ongoing

Catherine Carpenter PhD., M.P.H

For more information contact

Jeraldine Guzman, MA

Clinial Study Coordinator

[email protected]

310-206-2962

  CLOSED

The Effects of Ellagic acid from Pomegranate Juice vs. Pure Ellagic acid on Healthy Male Subjects

This is a 5-week, randomized, crossover study comparing the bioavailability of ellagic acid and formation of urolithins in participants consuming either pomegranate juice or pure ellagic acid, as well as their effects on gut microbiota and intestinal formation of short chain fatty acids.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

The effect of spice consumption on increasing the good bacteria in the human intestine.

This randomized study will assess the ability of daily the consumption of 5 grams of mixed spices to alter the gut micobiome composition compared to placebo in a free-living population.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Effects of Branch Chain Amino Acids on Glucose Tolerance in Obese Patients

This is a 4-week, randomized; placebos controlled, and cross over study with 10 subjects with abdominal obesity.  Subjects will be randomly assigned to take BCAA or low-BCAA plant protein for 4 weeks, then have washout phase of 2 weeks followed with BCAA or low-BCAA plant protein for and additional 4 weeks.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Effectiveness of changing dietary fat on weight loss

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether eating one Haas avocado/day can achieve at least equivalent weight loss when compared to the usual American diet.  This is a randomized control trialcomparing two hypocaloric diets - one that includes a Haas avocado/day and one that does not.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Effects of Phytonutrients on Vascular Heath

These studies will lead to a better understanding of the role of bioactive substances from plant foods such as the pomegranate may demonstrate the importance of plant-based nutrients on cardiovascular health.

 Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Susanne Henning, RD, PhD

Cinical Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Pomegranate vs. Placebo for Skin Inflammation and Aging

Determine the clinical efficacy of pomegranate extract or juice for skin inflammation and aging in females by assessing UV-induced change and skin biological characteristics of elasticity, sebum, hydration/moisture.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Jenny Kim, MD

The Effect of Dulaglutide on Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Researching Cardiovascular Events with a Weekly INcretin in Diabetes (REWIND)

The main purpose of this study is to determine whether or not theuse an investigational diabetes drug called dulaglutide reduces the incidence of major cardiovascular events, such as strokes and heart attacks, compared with a placebo drug.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

 Interventional

 The Effect of a Healthy Snack on Body Weight and Composition

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of daily comsumption of mixed nuts on weight loss and other established parameters of health.  This is a randomized, controlled, parallel, two-arm study comparing the effects of consuming 1.5 oz mixed nuts or an equally caloric amount of pretzels daily as part of a hypocaloric weight loss diet, followed by an isocaloric maintenance diet.

Status: Completed

 Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

 Interventional

The Effects of Phytoutrients on Vascular Health and Skin in Obese Males

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of polyphenol consumption, specifically those in pomegranate juice, on established parameters of cardiovascular health, skin inflammation and aging. This is a randomized, controlled, parallel, two-arm study comparing the effects of consuming 8 oz pomegranate juice or 8oz placebo juice.

Status: Completed

Zhaoping Li, MD, PhD

Effects of Cinnamon Spice on Postprandial Glucose and Insulin in Normal Weight and Obese Individuals with Pre-Diabetes

This randomized clinical trial will investigate whether cinnamon spice can affect glucose and insulin levels. Individuals ages 20 to 50 who are overweight and pre-diabetic but otherwise generally healthy may be eligible to participate if they typically consume a low fiber/polyphenol diet (beige diet). Participants will have a 50 percent chance of having oatmeal with or without cinnamon spice. The study will last 4 weeks. Eligible participants will be compensated up to $200 and a daily parking pass will be provided.

Status: Completed

Exploratory Study to Determine the Bioavailability of Sugar from Pomegranate Juice vs. Sucrose

This randomized, crossover study will compare the effect of Pomegranate Juice to an equivalent mix of sugar water on glucose and insulin levels. Individuals ages 20 to 50 who are either A) overweight and pre-diabetic or B) normal weight and healthy may be eligible to participate if they typically consume a low fiber/polyphenol diet (beige diet). The study will last approximately 4 weeks with 7 visits to our Center. Eligible participants will be compensated up to $300 and valet parking will be provided.

Status: Completed

Healthy Avocado Trial (HAT) 

The Healthy Avocado Trial, or “HAT,” is a multi-site nutrition study looking at the effect of avocado consumption on abdominal fat, waist circumference, cholesterol levels, gut microbiota and vascular health. There are five Universities participating in this study: Wake Forest University, Tufts University, Loma Linda University, Pennsylvania State University and UCLA. We are seeking healthy male and female participants age 25 or older with increased waist circumference (≥35 inches for women, ≥40 inches for men). Participants will either be provided with one avocado per day to eat with their usual diet for 6 months or will be asked to maintain their usual diet (minus avocados) for the same duration. The study will last 6 months with 10 clinic visits and participants will undergo the following procedures: 3 blood draws, 3 urine collections, 2 MRI scans, 3 stool collections, and 4 phone calls with a dietitian. Eligible participants will be compensated $550 for completion of the study in full and valet parking will be comped for all study visits. 

Status: Completed

Nutritional Support to improve outcomes in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of dietary prescription with and without nutrition supplementation in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer on body weight, total caloric intake, quality of life and blood inflammatory markers.

Status: Recruitment Closed

Nutritional Supplementation Study: Elderly with Recent Weight Loss

The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of protein supplementation on unintentional weight loss and muscle strength. If you are 65 years or older, nonsmoker in general good health and have lost 3% or more weight in the last 6-12 months you may be eligible to participate in nutrition study. The study lasts 2.5 months, with 4 clinic visits. The first visit is screening visit to ensure you are eligible for the study. Visits 2-4 include weight, body composition, 6 minute walk, and handgrip strength test. This is a randomized study, where you will be assigned to one of two groups. You will have a 1 in 2 chance of being assigned to receive dietary supplements (protein powder and fish oil) or no dietary supplements (control group). Compensation is up to $200 for your participation and parking is provided.  

Status: Recruitment Closed