Integrative Oncology in Austin at SIE Medical, is dedicated to walking alongside you through every step of your cancer journey. We understand the importance of comprehensive care, blending the best of allopathic treatments with evidence-based alternative therapies to support your healing and well-being.
Whether you’re navigating chemotherapy, radiation, or other conventional treatments, we are here to provide additional support that enhances your body’s natural defenses, reduce side effects, and improve overall quality of life. Through integrative, naturopathic, and functional medicine, we offer a metabolic approach, that empowers you to face cancer with strength and resilience.
Prevention • Direct Treatment • Post-treatment Maintenance
Through Integrative Oncology in Austin at SIE Medical, our team is dedicated to walking alongside you through every step of your cancer journey. We understand the importance of comprehensive care, blending the best of allopathic treatments with evidence-based alternative therapies to support your healing and well-being.
Whether you’re navigating chemotherapy, radiation, or other conventional treatments, we are here to provide additional support that enhances your body’s natural defenses, reduce side effects, and improve overall quality of life. Through integrative, naturopathic, and functional medicine, we offer a metabolic approach, that empowers you to face cancer with strength and resilience.
Hope to Cancer Patients through Metabolic Terrain Based Cancer Support and Integrative Oncology
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Cancer is a Metabolic Disease at its Root
Cancer is increasingly understood as a metabolic disease, meaning its development and progression are closely linked to disruptions in cellular energy production and metabolism. Unlike healthy cells, which primarily generate energy through oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria, cancer cells rely on glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen.
This metabolic shift allows cancer cells to meet their high energy and biosynthetic demands, supporting rapid growth and replication.
Key aspects of cancer as a metabolic disease include:
In cancer cells, mitochondria often function abnormally. This dysfunction disrupts normal energy production and may lead to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can promote genetic mutations and further tumor growth.
Cancer cells prioritize glycolysis and fermentation for energy, even though these are less efficient than oxidative phosphorylation. This shift is thought to provide a survival advantage by creating an acidic microenvironment that favors tumor growth and inhibits immune response.
Cancer cells exhibit unique metabolic demands, relying heavily on glucose (sugar) and glutamine (an amino acid) for fuel. They hijack the body’s metabolic pathways to access these resources, often at the expense of surrounding healthy tissues.
Chronic inflammation can create metabolic conditions that encourage cancer development. Inflammatory signals can disrupt normal cellular metabolism and promote the metabolic reprogramming seen in cancer cells.
Metabolic alterations can influence gene expression, creating a feedback loop where abnormal metabolism supports the growth and survival of cancer cells while further disrupting normal genetic regulation.
Understanding cancer as a metabolic disease opens the door to therapies aimed at targeting these metabolic vulnerabilities. Approaches such as metabolic therapy, specialized diets, and drugs designed to disrupt glucose or glutamine metabolism seek to “starve” cancer cells while sparing normal cells. This perspective also emphasizes the importance of addressing the body’s metabolic health as part of a comprehensive cancer care strategy.
When it comes to understanding the relationship between cancer and metabolic health, we rely on the Metabolic Terrain approach.
Meet Dr. Williford
Dr. Kimberly Williford, MS,RD,LD,NMD is a native Texan, Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Registered Dietitian. She has dedicated her entire career to studying and helping patients to heal and balance metabolic dysfunction to help chronically ill patients while optimizing vitality and performance.
She earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She earned her Master’s degree in Nutritional Science, Magna Cum Laude, from Texas Tech University and completed internship at Texas Tech Health Science Center in Lubbock, Texas. After graduate school her focus was on children born with metabolic disorders later becoming an intensive care dietitian. She also worked extensively with the geriatric population both in the hospital and extended care facilities.
As a desire to treat the cause of disease rather than symptoms she furthered her education by attending medical school at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, one of only four accredited, four-year naturopathic medical schools in the United States where she earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (NMD). She completed a two-year general and functional medicine residence, which focused on metabolic testing in Atlanta, Georgia. She served as a consultant in functional test interpretation for Metametrix/Genova laboratories reviewing test results with doctors from all over the country.
She has completed Board Certification fellowship training in anti-aging and restorative medicine with the American Academy of Anti-Aging and Rejuvenation Medicine. She studied environmental medicine with Dr. Bill Rea, founder of Environmental Health Center Dallas, and Dr. Walter Crinnion, an expert in environmental medicine for over thirty years.
An unexpected cancer diagnosis and surgical menopause led to an increased passion in understanding hormones and optimizing the immune function. This was a natural fit for completing Master Class training in the Metabolic Approach to Cancer with Dr. Nasha Winters ND, FABNO and author of The Metabolic Approach to Cancer.
Dr. Williford’s practice focuses on integrative functional wellness to help environmental toxicity, cancer support, metabolic dysfunction, hormone imbalance, longevity/optimal aging and chronic disease. Treatment is individual as each person is unique rather than being a protocol. Focus is on the person as a whole rather than a diagnosis. She has been working with patients, both in and out of the hospital for over 20 years to help them achieve optimal health.
Dr. Williford is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, Arizona, Texas and Georgia Naturopathic Medical Associations, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, American Academy of Environmental Medicine, Naturopathic Association of Environmental Medicine, The American Academy of Ozonotherapy, American College of Hyperbaric Medicine, Commission for Registered Dietitians, Georgia Licensed Dietitians. Certifications in Mold and Environmental illness, Stem Cell therapies, Ozone therapies, Amen Clinic Spect imaging. She maintains well over 40 hours of continuing medical education in integrative medicine and integrative oncology annually. She was one of “Georgia Top Doctors” – Best Thyroid Doctors 2009.
A Comprehensive Cancer Program Tailored to You through integrative oncology in Austin
Cancers We Address
Integrative oncology complements conventional treatments for all types of cancer by addressing the root causes of disease, managing side effects, and optimizing the body’s natural healing capacity. It offers a personalized, whole-person approach to improve outcomes and quality of life. Here are a few of the most common cancers we address.
Breast cancer arises from abnormal growth in breast tissue and can vary widely in its progression and treatment needs. Learn more about our approach to breast cancer.
Lung cancer, which originates in the lungs, is often linked to smoking or environmental exposures but can occur in non-smokers as well.
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland and is often slow-growing, though some forms can be aggressive.
Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectum and may be influenced by diet, genetics, and lifestyle factors.
Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma types, often results from excessive sun exposure or genetic predisposition.
Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive disease with complex metabolic demands.
Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the thyroid gland, often presenting as a lump in the neck, with varying aggressiveness depending on the type.
Integrative Oncology for Every Stage of the Cancer Journey
We are available to support patients at any stage of their cancer journey. Some patients may be undergoing standard treatments such as Chemotherapy, Radiation, or Surgery, while others prefer a purely holistic and natural approach to cancer support. Our medical team will discuss various options with you, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the details to make informed decisions about your care. We offer a wide range of naturopathic, integrative, and holistic options to assist your body throughout your cancer journey.
See if Our Integrative Oncology Approach is Right for You
If you’re looking for a comprehensive approach to cancer care, you’re invited to call SIE Medical in Austin. We support patients as they undergo conventional cancer treatment, and we also support purely holistic options.
From tailored nutritional plans and innovative therapies to in-depth consultations that address your unique needs, we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Take the first step toward a holistic approach to your health—call SIE Medical today to schedule a consultation and explore how integrative oncology can help you on your healing journey.