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Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

Stem Cells are Effective Against Many Disorders

Dec 29, 2021 03:58PM ● By Chadwick C. Prodromos

In published studies, stem cells have been shown to be effective and completely safe against a wide variety of disorders. While the list of health challenges in which at least some degree of efficacy has been demonstrated in published studies is remarkably long and varied, upon understanding how stem cells work, their wide-ranging efficacy is not surprising.


Healing with Growth Factors


Stem cells treat disease by two different mechanisms. First, stem cells have growth factors such as transforming growth factor beta, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor, among many others. These growth factors are what the body uses to help heal itself. No pharmaceutical drug does this. Stem cell treatment merely concentrates this capability where it is needed.


Because nearly all disease states involve damaged tissue, stem cells have the capacity to help improve the condition for a tremendous number of patients. These growth factors work in a variety of ways in concert with other cells of the immune system. For example, VEGF increases the number of blood vessels and sends life-giving, healing blood to the area. Additionally, transforming growth factor beta has many functions. One of them is to attract new progenitor cells to an area to help rebuild damaged tissue. There are many other growth factors each with myriad functions. The biochemistry and cell biology involved is incredibly complicated and only now beginning to be understood. This complexity is such that the idea that a simple drug could reproduce it is not even remotely possible.


Immunomodulatory (anti-inflammatory) Cytokines


The second mechanism of action is to decrease inflammation and scale back the degree to which the body is attacking itself in such autoimmune disorders as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, autism, Crohn’s disease, Type I diabetes and many others. Stem cells have anti-inflammatory cytokines which ratchet down the self-aggressiveness of the immune system in these disorders.


Cytokines can be both pro- and anti-inflammatory. Many are part of the interleukin family, of which there are 33, although many have numerous sub-types. For example, interleukin 1 causes inflammation, while interleukin 1-receptor-antagonist decreases inflammation. Some cytokines can be either pro- or anti-inflammatory, depending on their environment. Because almost diseases and disorders involve inflammation, stem cells have a beneficial effect across an incredible array of problems.


While drugs such as prednisone, Humira and Enbrel decrease inflammation, each has severe or even fatal side effects, predisposing the body to infection and in some cases, cancer. Stem cells in contrast can be thought of as cortisone without the side effects. Stem cells are also incredibly safe. Serious adverse events when stem cells are responsibly used are almost unheard of.


Due to extremely limiting U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, the only legal stem cell treatment in the U.S. is bone marrow aspirate, where bone marrow is taken from a pelvic bone, concentrated and injected. Unfortunately, it has been proven ineffective for arthritis and cannot be injected intravenously for disorders such as MS, Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Its only proven benefit is in helping problem bone fractures to heal. 


Disorders Treated with Stem Cells

  • Neurologic: MS, autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain Injury and spinal cord injury paralysis
  • Arthritic: osteoarthritis of the peripheral joints and spine, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Diabetes: Type 1 and 2
  • Genitourinary: ED, peyronie’s disease, interstitial nephritis
  • Lung: asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, COPD
  • Gastrointestinal: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
  • Fertility: premature ovarian failure, oligospermia
  • Eye: retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy
  • Heart: congestive heart failure, angina
  • Anti-aging

Chadwick C. Prodromos M.D., is the medical director of the Foundation for Orthopaedics and Regenerative Medicine as well as CEO of the Prodromos Stem Cell Institute, which originated and maintains a stem cell institute in the island nation of Antigua where stem cell treatment is available. For more information, call 847-699-6810, email [email protected] or visit ThePsci.com. Evaluations are carried out in Naples, Chicago, or remotely anywhere in the world. On January 13 at 5:30 pm Dr. Prodromos will conduct a free educational seminar and webinar on evidence-based stem cell treatment at Tiburon Golf Club located at 2620 Tiburon Dr., in Naples. See ad, page 19.