Stem Cell Therapy is being considered to be a miraculous treatment for many conditions. Some researchers believe that because stem cells have the potential to repair, restore, replace, and regenerate cells, they may eventually have the potential to treat many incurable conditions. But is the hype ahead of the science? The fact is, some of these stem cell therapies are expensive, not FDA approved, and have not proven to be helpful.
In theory, stem cells have the potential to treat many medical conditions; and in fact, some actually do.
But some unscrupulous providers offer stem cell products that are both unapproved and unproven. So beware of potentially dangerous procedures—and confirm what’s really being offered before you consider any treatment.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is concerned that some patients are undergoing illegal and potentially harmful stem cell treatments. It is increasing its oversight to protect people from misleading claims and unscrupulous stem cell clinics.
In an editorial published March 16, 2017 in TheNew England Journal of Medicine, FDA officials warned the lack of evidence for unapproved stem cell treatments is ”worrisome.”
An FDA public workshop conducted in 2016 discussed instances of severe side effects. One patient became blind. Another patient underwent a spinal injection which caused a spinal tumor.
The ability of stem cells to move from the site it was injected and multiply after changing into the wrong cells.
Failure of cells to function as expected.
Growth of tumors.
Even if stem cells are your own cells, there are still safety risks such as those noted above. In addition, if cells are manipulated after removal, there is a risk of contamination of the cells.
Stem cell therapy has the potential to treat many medical conditions however questions about its safety and efficacy remain.
Ask questions regarding safety and request well designed unbiased human clinical studies proving efficacy.
*Information on this page was taken from the article “FDA Warns About Stem Cell Therapies.”
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