Mesenchymal cells, which can be harvested from your own belly fat and reintroduced in your body, hold an incredible potential to treat a wide range of diseases, from repairing your heart and preserving joints from arthritis, to preventing multiple sclerosis from damaging your nervous system. But first, it’s essential to understand the FDA’s position on your fat cells, by looking at how the Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) of your fat is processed.
The SVF consists of adult mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors necessary for the creation of new healthy tissue. However, the FDA declares that these cells must undergo minimal manipulation to avoid being classified as a drug, which would then fall under FDA regulation and require approval prior to use in the U.S.
Physician-research groups are collaborating with the FDA to develop machinery to process the SVF so that it is either minimally manipulated or not at all. These researchers are making stem cell therapy available to the public by promoting their therapies as “for investigational use of Adipose Derived Stem Cells for clinical research and treatment.”
Although stem cell treatments are not yet FDA approved, such surgeries fall within the jurisdiction of a physician’s professional training. As such, patients and their doctors can decide if the therapy is safe and predictably effective.
The Cell Surgical Network, an international collaboration of medical professionals with over 10 FDA-approved studies, is a promising resource for patients and their families. This network shares data collected from thousands of patients who have received stem cell treatments, helping to establish optimal treatment parameters, evaluate effectiveness, and monitor adverse effects.
At present, arthritic joint injections using stem cells offer encouraging results, with the Cell Surgical Network boasting an 85% success rate as reported by patients. For those suffering from osteoarthritis, for example, a one-time injection of their own stem cells resulting in gradual and consistent joint improvement offers a compelling alternative to steroid injections or joint replacement surgery.
As insurance does not cover the cost of stem cell therapy, patients are responsible for paying the fee for one treatment, which typically ranges from $6,000 to $20,000. To find a doctor trained in stem cell therapy, search online at the Cell Surgical Network listing or through a general search such as “stem cell doctor near me.”
When considering stem cell therapy, it is important to make an informed decision. Patients should ask some pertinent questions of the team offering the treatment, such as:
- Who is the doctor in charge and what specialized training does he/she have, as well as other support staff?
- What costs are associated with the treatment and what does that include?
- Is the treatment part of a clinical trial?
- What is the expected treatment outcome, and how many others treated for the same disease at the facility have experienced improvement?
- How long is treatment expected to take effect?
- What are the therapy risks?
- What alternative treatments are available for my condition?
Stem cell therapy presents a potentially life-changing solution for many patients suffering from a range of debilitating illnesses. Awareness of the methodologies, effectiveness, and support structure available is crucial in making an informed decision about whether to pursue this exciting new approach to healing.
