Nutrition-based plan to ease pain in sickle cell disease
Official title: Nutrition-based interventions to ameliorate pain in sickle cell disease
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11533140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nutrition-based approach is being tested to reduce pain for people living with sickle cell disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | August 10, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00AT012494-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11533140 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with sickle cell disease who experience chronic pain and are willing to follow a nutrition plan.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not able to adhere to dietary changes or with conditions conflicting with diet modifications may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how a specially designed diet rich in nutrients and omega-3 fats might calm pain signals in people with sickle cell disease. By studying how food affects mood, stress, and pain pathways, the team aims to find dietary changes that could lessen chronic pain and reduce reliance on opioids. The research will involve monitoring pain levels, mood, and inflammatory markers to understand how the diet works in real-life settings. If successful, it could lead to an accessible, non-drug strategy to complement standard sickle cell care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience less pain and lower reliance on high-dose opioids through a practical dietary approach.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary findings in nutrition-based pain modulation are promising, but this exact approach in sickle cell disease is ongoing and novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Argueta, Donovan Alexander — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Argueta, Donovan Alexander
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.