Can stem cells cure diabetes?

I’ve heard that in Thailand they use stem cells to cure different health conditions for years now. Not sure if it’s not a scam. Specially I’m interested in S-cells therapy for diabetes type 1.

Theoretically, stem cell transplants could potentially be a cure for diabetes in the future. However, such treatments are years away from clinical studies. There is a lot of interest and excitement about the use of stem cells for several diseases, but research is still in its infancy. ( Americans should thank George W Bush and the religious right wing branch of the Republican party for lagging behind the rest of the world in this important research. )

"Stem cell treatments" that are offered in some countries such as Mexico, Phillipines and Thailand can only be considered experimental, or more often outright fraud at this point. For example, I have a wealthy elderly patient who spends a lot of time in Mexico where he started "stem cell treatments" for his congestive heart failure. He brought several vials of a red liquid back and wanted me to continue his treatments. I had it analyzed and it was basically just vitamin B12 injectable. He paid several hundred dollars per vial for something that retails for a couple of dollars.

So…the science is not there yet.
Crooks will promise you anything to get your money
Caveat Emptor.

Posted under: cure for type 1 diabetes | January 29th, 2010 | by admin

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4 Responses to Can stem cells cure diabetes?
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  1. SkepDoc 3.0
    Comment by SkepDoc 3.0 | 2010/01/29 at 15:03:59

    Theoretically, stem cell transplants could potentially be a cure for diabetes in the future. However, such treatments are years away from clinical studies. There is a lot of interest and excitement about the use of stem cells for several diseases, but research is still in its infancy. ( Americans should thank George W Bush and the religious right wing branch of the Republican party for lagging behind the rest of the world in this important research. )

    "Stem cell treatments" that are offered in some countries such as Mexico, Phillipines and Thailand can only be considered experimental, or more often outright fraud at this point. For example, I have a wealthy elderly patient who spends a lot of time in Mexico where he started "stem cell treatments" for his congestive heart failure. He brought several vials of a red liquid back and wanted me to continue his treatments. I had it analyzed and it was basically just vitamin B12 injectable. He paid several hundred dollars per vial for something that retails for a couple of dollars.

    So…the science is not there yet.
    Crooks will promise you anything to get your money
    Caveat Emptor.
    References :

  2. sharp32548
    Comment by sharp32548 | 2010/01/29 at 15:27:59

    My guess, and I think it’s a fairly educated guess, but just a guess nonetheless , the islet cells in the pancreas are the cells that produce insulin and glucagon and are what would need to be replaced, theoretically the stem cells could replace them. Problem is, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, I’m a type 1 diabetic myself and over the years learned that it was my own immune system that had mistaken the islet cells as an invader and destroyed them – so it seems that replacing the islet cells is only half the solution, which makes a whole problem. Scientists need to figure out how to turn off the part of our immune system that will attack them after they’ve been replaced or it’s pointless to replace them.
    References :

  3. Treat the Cause
    Comment by Treat the Cause | 2010/01/29 at 16:07:59

    They will never cure diabete’s because the Pharmaceutical indusry won’t allow it. They make WAAAAAY too much money by keeping you sick!
    References :

  4. Mr E
    Comment by Mr E | 2010/01/29 at 16:34:59

    they may restore function, however the cause of the condition may still be present. consult an hio method chiropractor.
    References :


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