Cell therapy
Cell therapy is a treatment intended to regenerate or rejuvenate the body by injecting
it with healthy live or freeze-dried cells derived from animal organs or embryos. It is
sometimes called fresh or live cell therapy.
Purpose of cell therapy
The purposes of cell therapy include:
Stimulation of the immune system.
Slowing the effects of aging, including memory loss and sexual dysfunction as well as
external appearance.
Revitalization of specific body organs.
Treating specific diseases and disorders, including arthritis, lupus, cancer, HIV
infection, cardiovascular and neurological disorders, and Parkinson's disease.
Precautions concerning cell therapy
Patients with kidney or liver disease, short-term infections, or inflammatory disorders
should not be treated with cell therapy. In addition, patients who have an allergic
reaction to the test injection should not proceed with therapy.
Informaton about cell therapy
Cell therapy was developed in Switzerland in the 1930s by Dr. Paul Niehans, following
emergency treatment of a dying patient with cells taken from an animal's parathyroid
gland. Dr. Niehans then worked with scientists from the Nestle Company, who had
successfully developed a method of freeze-drying coffee, to develop a method of
freeze-drying cells to guarantee the sterility of preparations as well as preserving the
cells. The freeze-dried cells currently used in cell therapy undergo a process of
ultrafiltration to remove the cell surface coatings and minimize the risk of an allergic
reaction.
Studies conducted in German universities found that injected cells tagged with
radioisotopes migrate to the organ in the human body corresponding to the organ in the
animal from which they were taken. The reasons for the effectiveness of cell therapy,
however, are not yet understood. It is thought that live cells may revitalize an
"old" organ by "reprogramming" its genetic material. Another theory
holds that the fresh cells stimulate secretions that restore the proper functioning of the
targeted organ.
Cell therapy cannot be practiced within the United States because of Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) restrictions on importing cellular materials intended for injection.
Patients must travel to Mexico, the Bahamas, England, or Germany for treatment. The cost
of the therapy is $2,500 for initial injections and $1,500 for booster treatments. The
treatment consists of several injections of organ cells into the muscles of the buttocks.
Patients are asked to limit alcoholic beverages and smoking during the course of
treatment.
Preparation
Preparation includes screening of patients with a detailed questionnaire, additional
laboratory testing if necessary, and a test injection at the clinic for potential allergic
reactions. It is not necessary for patients to discontinue prescription medications.
Aftercare
Patients are given instructions regarding lifestyle choices to prolong the effects of
cell therapy. Recommendations include diet, exercise, adequate rest, and meditation.
Risks
The primary risk of cell therapy is an allergic reaction to the injected animal cells.
Normal results
The effects of cell therapy claim to be threefold:
- The initial phase is characterized by marked improvement in skin and general level of
well-being.
- The reaction phase which lasts for approximately two weeks, is marked by tiredness and
return of some earlier symptoms.
- The healing phase, which takes six to nine months after treatment to attain, is defined
by long-term improvements in stamina, skin tone, and general health. Improvements continue
over several years.
Cell therapy treatments are repeated at one- to three-year intervals.
|
