Integrative Oncology Support at Saffron & Sage

Nourishing Mind, Body, and Spirit Through Compassionate, Collaborative Care

At Saffron & Sage, we recognize that a cancer diagnosis impacts more than just the body—it affects your emotional well-being, your spiritual resilience, and your sense of connection. Our Integrative Oncology Support Program is designed to care for the whole person, not just the condition. Whether you are navigating active treatment or focused on long-term prevention, we offer a comprehensive, evidence-informed, and collaborative approach that integrates seamlessly with your oncology care team.

What Makes Our Approach Unique?

Our program brings together a multidisciplinary team of licensed naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, somatic coaches, movement specialists, and spiritual care practitioners. Together, we guide you through each phase of your journey, addressing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions of healing. We treat not only the disease—but the terrain in which it developed.

Personalized Lab Work, Environmental & Metabolic Medicine

We begin with advanced diagnostic testing to assess nutrient status, inflammation, hormone levels, metabolic function, immune markers, and toxicant burden. Guided by principles of environmental medicine, we help identify and reduce exposures to carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and inflammatory triggers—supporting your body’s capacity to detoxify and regenerate.

Grounded in a metabolic approach to cancer, we evaluate terrain-based factors like insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function to guide personalized nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle interventions. Your care is always integrated with your oncology team, ensuring it is safe, respectful, and in alignment with your primary treatment plan.

Mind-Body-Spirit Therapies

Healing is a multidimensional process. Our mind-body-spirit offerings include acupuncture, breathwork, somatic coaching, massage therapy, spiritual guidance, and guided meditation. These therapies help calm the nervous system, ease emotional distress, and reconnect you with your inner wisdom. Many of these modalities also provide significant relief from cancer-related pain, neuropathy, and treatment side effects by reducing inflammation and regulating the body's stress response.

We also offer trauma-informed bodywork and fire cupping to promote energy flow, ease muscular tension, and provide both physical and emotional release.

Movement, Physical Vitality & Bodywork

To support your recovery and physical strength, we provide personalized movement therapy, mobility support, and restorative bodywork tailored to your energy levels and healing stage. Through gentle exercise, targeted stretching, lymphatic drainage techniques, and therapeutic massage, we address pain, fatigue, stiffness, circulation, and scar tissue tension—helping you regain mobility and feel more at home in your body. Our integrative therapies are designed to support pain management through natural, non-pharmacologic methods that work in harmony with your medical treatments.

Nutritional Therapy & IV Support

Our clinical team uses nutrition and IV therapy to provide targeted metabolic and immune support. Treatments may include high-dose vitamin C, glutathione, B vitamins, amino acids, and mineral repletion—customized to your specific needs. We also offer food-as-medicine guidance to help rebuild and nourish your system with anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense foods that can reduce joint and muscle pain, stabilize energy, and support tissue repair.

Palliative, Spiritual & Supportive Care

For patients in all stages—including end-of-life—we offer comfort-focused, soul-honoring care that respects your unique path. Our integrative therapies are especially helpful in providing gentle, non-invasive pain relief, reducing nausea, improving sleep, and easing physical discomfort. Whether your needs are physical, emotional, or spiritual, we walk with you through each chapter—helping you feel seen, supported, and deeply cared for.

Support for Loved Ones & Caregivers

We recognize that cancer affects the entire support system. That’s why we offer community resources, support groups, and somatic tools for caregivers and loved ones. Whether they need space to process, tools to recharge, or simply a place to feel supported—they are part of our circle of care too. Our team is here to hold space not only for patients, but also for those who walk alongside them every day.

Ethical, Safe, and Regulated Care

All services at Saffron & Sage are delivered in full compliance with California state law. Our licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) are regulated by the California Naturopathic Medicine Committee (NMC), with training in integrative oncology and a clearly defined scope of supportive practice. Our licensed acupuncturists and massage therapists are similarly credentialed and bring deep experience in managing pain, nausea, fatigue, and physical tension associated with cancer and its treatments.

We are committed to ethical care, transparency, and clinical integrity—working closely with your medical team to ensure safety and trust every step of the way.

Your Healing, Your Way

Healing is deeply personal, and so is the path forward. At Saffron & Sage, we are here to walk alongside you—not to replace your oncologist, but to amplify your resilience, manage pain naturally, nourish your whole self, and help you move through this experience with strength, grace, and clarity. Whether your goal is prevention, support during treatment, or post-treatment recovery, we are here to co-create a care plan that honors your journey.

Let’s move forward—together.

High-Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy

Integrative Oncology Support at Saffron & Sage | San Diego, CA

At Saffron & Sage, we recognize that cancer care requires more than just conventional treatment—it calls for a whole-person approach that nourishes the mind, body, and spirit. As part of our integrative medicine offerings, High-Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy serves as a gentle yet powerful adjunct to traditional oncology, designed to support vitality, resilience, and cellular recovery during and after cancer treatment.

What Is High-Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy?

While vitamin C is widely known for its immune-supporting properties, in therapeutic doses it acts as a pro-oxidant in cancer cells, while remaining an antioxidant in healthy tissues. When administered intravenously, vitamin C bypasses digestive limitations and achieves the high blood levels necessary for targeted, supportive effects—without taxing the body’s detox pathways.

In the context of integrative oncology, high-dose vitamin C may help:

• Reduce inflammation and oxidative stress

• Support immune modulation

• Promote collagen synthesis and tissue repair

• Ease side effects of chemotherapy or radiation

• Enhance overall recovery and resilience

This therapy is never a replacement for cancer treatment, but rather a complementary modality that aligns with our mission to walk beside you throughout your healing journey.

Who Might Benefit?

High-Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy is often considered for individuals who are:

• Patients adjunctive support to improve quality of life

• In post-treatment recovery and focused on rebuilding strength

• Experiencing cancer-related fatigue, inflammation, or immune suppression

• Desiring integrative options to enhance quality of life during treatment

• Navigating chronic conditions alongside a history of cancer

• Committed to a preventive and longevity-centered wellness plan

Safety Profile and Oncology Considerations

Our clinical team are here to ensure this therapy is both safe and appropriate for your personal treatment plan. We work collaboratively—respecting the timeline and approach set by your oncology providers.

Important Safety Notes:

• A G6PD screening is required before initiating high-dose vitamin C to avoid red blood cell complications.

• Therapy is well-tolerated in most patients and administered slowly for optimal comfort and safety.

• Those with renal impairment, iron overload, or undergoing certain chemotherapeutic protocols will receive individualized risk-benefit analysis.

• We communicate directly with your oncology team (with consent) to coordinate care and ensure alignment.

What to Expect During Treatment

Each IV session lasts approximately 60 to 90 minutes and is administered in a peaceful environment at our clinic. Many clients receive therapy one to two times per week during active treatment or detoxification phases, with a transition to monthly wellness infusions in remission or maintenance care.

You’re invited to rest, restore, and receive—supported by calming rituals such as aromatherapy, guided breathwork, or curated music to ease anxiety and promote healing.

Why Saffron & Sage for Integrative Oncology Support?

At Saffron & Sage, we honor the complexity of each cancer journey. Our integrative care team provides:

• Thoughtful collaboration with your oncologist or medical team

• Personalized intake and evidence-informed treatment plans

• Holistic support for the physical and emotional challenges of treatment

• A serene, sacred space for reflection, resilience, and renewal

Whether you're early in your diagnosis or stepping into life after treatment, we walk beside you with clinical integrity, compassion, and care.

Ready to Feel Supported?

If you're exploring complementary care options to support your vitality during or after cancer treatment, High-Dose Vitamin C IV Therapy may be a valuable part of your plan. Let us help you feel nourished, informed, and empowered every step of the way.

Schedule your integrative consultation or connect with one of our naturopathic doctors to learn more.

Saffron & Sage | San Diego

Galleri Genetic Cancer Screening

Early Detection Meets Integrative Oncology at Saffron & Sage | San Diego, CA

At Saffron & Sage, we believe that prevention is powerful medicine. As part of our integrative oncology and wellness approach, we’re proud to offer Galleri Genetic Cancer Screening—a cutting-edge tool that empowers you to take proactive steps in protecting your long-term health before symptoms ever begin.

What Is Galleri?

Galleri is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test that screens for a signal shared across more than 50 types of cancer, many of which are not typically included in routine screening. It works by detecting fragments of DNA that cancer cells release into the bloodstream—often long before tumors are visible on imaging or cause noticeable symptoms.

Why It Matters in Integrative Oncology

In integrative cancer care, early detection is the cornerstone of prevention. By identifying cancer in its earliest stages, we can support the body’s natural healing capacity, personalize your care plan, and improve outcomes with a comprehensive approach. Galleri complements standard screening tests and reflects our core philosophy: to treat the whole person, not just the disease.

Indications: Who Might Benefit from Galleri?

Galleri may be especially appropriate for individuals who:

• Are over the age of 40

• Have a personal or family history of cancer

• Want to take proactive steps toward long-term wellness

• Are at higher risk due to genetic or environmental factors

• Are in remission or recovering from cancer and seeking continued surveillance

Even if you're feeling healthy, this test can offer a powerful snapshot of your current cancer risk—providing both peace of mind and early insights.

Safety and Convenience

• Non-invasive: Requires only a simple blood draw

• No preparation or downtime: Resume daily activities immediately

• Evidence-based and FDA-authorized: Galleri is built on extensive clinical research and designed to complement—not replace—existing cancer screenings

Considerations and Contraindications

Galleri is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. If a cancer signal is detected, it will be followed by additional imaging or specialist evaluation.

This test is not recommended for individuals who:

• Are under the age of 21

• Are currently pregnant (due to changes in cell-free DNA)

• Have been diagnosed with cancer or treated within the past 12 months (exceptions may apply)

• Have known active cancer (it is not a tool for monitoring known disease)

Timing: When Should You Test?

We recommend Galleri as part of your annual integrative wellness exam, particularly for individuals over 40 or with risk factors for cancer. The ideal time to test is when you are feeling well—before any symptoms appear—so we can assess and support your internal terrain from a place of resilience.

Compassionate, Patient-Centered Guidance

At Saffron & Sage, we recognize that test results—especially those related to cancer—can bring up questions and emotions. We’re here to support you through the process. If a signal is detected, our team will guide you through the next steps with clarity, compassion, and a full range of integrative care options—from therapeutic nutrition and stress support to specialist referrals and collaborative care planning.

A Personalized Approach to Prevention

Galleri is more than a screening—it’s a shift in how we approach health. By integrating this innovative tool into your wellness plan, you’re investing in early awareness, empowered decision-making, and long-term vitality.

Let’s co-create a plan that is proactive, personalized, and rooted in both nature and science.

Now available at Saffron & Sage in San Diego.

Contact us today to learn if Galleri is right for you.

Meet Dr. Alexander Aponte-Davila, ND, MHSN, FAIHM

Dr. Alexander Aponte-Davila brings a patient-centered approach to naturopathic medicine, blending evidence-based practices with holistic principles to create transformative care. Fluent in both Spanish and English, Dr. Aponte-Davila’s compassionate philosophy empowers patients to take charge of their health.

Education and Credentials:

• Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine (ND): Bastyr University, Washington (2021)

• Master’s in Health Science Nutrition (MHSN): University of Puerto Rico Medical Health Science Campus (2017)

• Two-Year Residency in General Naturopathic Medicine: Bastyr University California (2023)

• Integrative Medicine Fellowship: Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine (AIHM), La Jolla, CA (2024)

Specialty Certifications:

• IV Nutrient Therapy

• Biofeedback Therapy

• Functional GI Treatments (e.g., SIBO, IBS, IBD)

• Craniosacral Therapy

Dr. Aponte-Davila also holds an active DEA license, authorizing the prescription of controlled substances, including hormones like testosterone and hCG.

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Aponte-Davila offers advanced therapies, including:

• Integrative primary care for acute and chronic conditions

• IV nutrient therapy for replenishment and recovery

• Supervised nutraceutical supplementation

• Support for metabolic, endocrine, and mental health conditions

• Functional lab testing for precision diagnostics

• Craniosacral and biofeedback therapy for stress relief and nervous system support

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

+ HOLISTIC HEALTH CHECK-IN with Dr. Aponte-Davila

Experience the transformative power of naturopathic medicine in a personalized, one-hour session tailored to your health journey. Whether addressing acute concerns, managing chronic conditions, or refining your treatment plan, this session offers expert care and guidance to support your well-being.

 + INTEGRATIVE PHYSICAL
Integrative physical therapy blends conventional and holistic approaches to support your body's natural healing processes, addressing physical imbalances, pain, and dysfunction through personalized treatments.

+ NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
Nutritional therapy corrects imbalances within the body that are manifesting as physical or emotional disease, dysfunction, or distress while supporting any nutritional deficiencies to promote health and healing.

+ IV THERAPY
IV therapy provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients directly to your bloodstream, supporting hydration, energy, and overall wellness while enhancing cellular repair and vitality.

+ BOTANICAL MEDICINE
Botanical medicine uses plant-based remedies to support your body’s innate healing abilities, addressing physical and emotional concerns while promoting balance and well-being through natural therapies.