Stem Cell Treatment For Diabetes in Germany !

Well, Christmas is over and the New Year has come. I have taken a bit of a hiatus during the season. I’ve gotten a new job after more than two months with no work and things are stabilizing at home once more. Now I can get back to blogging.

      I have not stopped reading and learning however, and one bit of information that has come to light in my research is that Germany is already using stem cell transplantation in relation to diabetes! I’ll tell you, if I could afford to go there, I would be on the first available flight!

     They are not only using stem cell transplantation for Type 1 diabetics as the research in Canada is doing, but for type 2 diabetes as well. What wonderful news!

     It is a five-day process that begins with taking the bone marrow from your hip. Your own bone marrow, which has no chance of rejection by your body and eliminates the need for anti-rejection drugs for the rest of your life. This part of the process takes about 30 minutes and is done under only a local anesthetic. After the procedure you may return to your hotel or wherever you are staying and resume normal activities.

    On day 2 they separate the stem cells from the marrow in a government-approved laboratory. As I have said before, stem cells can become any cell in the body, in this application they are directed to the area they are needed, the pancreas.

     That is done on the third day of the process. To accomplish this stem cells are injected, via catheter, into the pancreatic artery. The catheter is a thin wire with a small hole in it that is fed from the femoral artery into the pancreatic artery using an x-ray scanning to guide the insertion. Alternatively the stem cells can be delivered intravenously for those who cannot be catheterized. This process takes about 90 minutes and requires two to three hours in the recovery room to make sure the injection site is not bleeding.

     For those with diabetic neuropathy a portion of the stem cells will be injected into the leg muscles. You will be required to stay for a fourth day as a safety measure and are able to go home on the fifth day.

      The results of the treatment, after following 50 patients, were that more than 50% of them showed improvement with 40% of patients being type 1 and 60% being type 2 diabetics.

         Improvements reported included more stable blood glucose levels, lower fasting blood glucose levels, decreased leg pain, lower blood pressure and the elimination of hypoglycemic episodes. Nearly 1 in 4 male patients regained erectile function.

     To learn more about this treatment do a search for Xcell-Center. There is an online evaluation, stories of others who have undergone the process, and  a link to their research information.

    In the meantime, you can do as I am doing and take matters into your own hands. I have started taking a product called StemEnhance whose function is to get your own body to release more of these body repairing cells to help your own body heal itself. Read about it through the link on the side. They have videos and explanations of their research as well.

     If I can release enough stem cells on my own, using this product, my body may be able to repair itself, or at the least improve. For me it may take longer than some because of multiple health problems. My income does not allow me to take as many in a day that I would like to.

     The recommended dosage is 2 a day for one in good health, but I would like to take 4 to 6 a day. One day I may be able to. In the meantime I have noticed an increase in energy.

     I have seen a friend of mine go from sleeping most days away (chronic fatigue syndrome) to becoming a very functional person. It used to be hard to have a conversation with her because her fatigue slowed her mental functions dramatically. Now she is a pleasure to have a conversation with. She also reports that her fibromyalgia symptoms have abated dramatically as well. And she is able to hold a job!

     Other testimonials on the site are dramatic too, but this I have seen with my own eyes, and experienced in my own body. And, as I have said before, if it is going to help get me maybe off insulin, or dramatically reduce the amount needed, I’m going for it! I hate needles!

Diabetes and The Promise of Stem Cells

I’d like to delve a little more into stem cell research in relation to disease and more specifically diabetes. I’d also like to make something clear, right from the start.

I am not in favor of embryonic stem cell research.

Further, reports I have read  indicate that the results of embryonic stem cell research are dismally poor and, in some cases, have had disastrous results. Several studies I read indicate the development of cancers from treatments with embryonic stem cells.

In contrast, research into disease and the use of adult stem cells is very encouraging to say the least. Most of the reports I have read deal with the introduction of the adult stem cells right into the affected area. Be that cartilage, liver, pancreas or whatever. I even read one study that showed regeneration in a damaged heart resulting from stem cell introduction.

In a process very similar to islet transplant procedures where islets, (which contain beta cells that produce insulin), are injected into the pancreas, (one must take anti-rejection drugs the rest of one’s life), adult stem cells are injected into the pancreas and have been shown to repair the damaged areas.

One study I read on this said that the injected stem cells were made to ‘glow’ through some technical process in order to track them. The results showed that the injected adult stem cells “became” the various pancreatic cells, including regrowth of islets and beta cells, and showed areas of repair done by the introduced cells.

For those with diabetes, (either type 1 or type 2), imagine being able to use your own stem cells, (thereby having no fear of rejection), to repair the damaged areas of the pancreas and start producing islets with their insulin producing beta cells. Allowing you to produce your own insulin once again and eliminating the need for any more shots.

Oh, I look for this day. My fingertips are sore. My belly has at least one or two bruises going all the time. The lows are awful, and fluctuation in my glucose levels makes my moods swing wildly at times. If I can, someday, have an injection that will effectively cure my diabetes, made from my own adult stem cells, I am right in line.

For now I take StemEnhance. It does not claim to be a cure of any kind, for anything. However studies show a relationship between stem cell production, and various health problems. This product only promises and has been proven to, increase the amount of stem cells ones own body produces and releases. If I can increase the amount of stem cells available to repair my body, I am going to do it.

The testimonials for those who take it are amazing, including some people I know personally, and can back up with personal observation. I have also read from numerous detractors, but none have convinced me that the concept is invalid. If you wish to know more, click on the link provided. Please view the video(s) on that site

Treatments for Diabetes

There are several different treatment options for diabetic people. Your doctor could have you on a diet, oral medication, insulin injections, or a combination of them. It doesn’t matter if you are on oral medication, insulin injections, or both, diet is still going to be a required part of your diabetes control.

In Germany they are using adult stem cells from your own body (no fear of rejection) to combat diabetes in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. They are having good success at controlling both hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (acute low blood sugar).

Now I know a little about stem cells because one thing that I take is called Stem Enhance and it stimulates the body’s release of stem cells increasing the amount of stem cells available to help your body heal itself. Stem cells, it seems, are the body’s building blocks and are the only cells that can become any other cell in the body, unlike specific cells. A bone cell can only become, or replicate, as another bone cell, a skin cell may only become, or replicate, as another skin cell, and on and on.

A stem cell can become any other cell. Therefore, the injections of stem cells into the damaged pancreas can have startling effects, becoming new pancreatic cells and replacing damaged areas with healthy cells. I actually read a study on this a year or so ago, before I started taking the Stem Enhance product.

For me this is exciting news and perhaps this procedure will be available in Canada in the future. I can imagine being free of taking needles. I know that Canadian scientists are studying the relationship between stem cells and their benefits to some diseases, including diabetes. There have been some clinical trials here with the injections of stem cells, but you have to be in severe straights to qualify for these. I am under control so I don’t qualify. I look forward to a time when these treatments will be available to more people.

Another treatment for diabetes is the insulin pump. A tiny tube, so small you cannot feel it, is put under your skin, this attaches to a small machine that uses a fast acting insulin. It continuously injects a basal amount of insulin. A basal amount is used to keep your glucose at a level when you are not eating. You tell the machine to give extra when you are eating a meal. I am told that more and more diabetics are using this now as it frees one from injections several times a day and is more convenient.

Gastric banding has, in cases of extreme obesity and diabetes been used as a treatment. By reducing the weight of an individual, you also reduce the need for insulin and, if enough weight is lost, may reduce the need for anything but diet to control type 2 diabetes. This all depends on the individual as each case is different.

Islet transplant is another experimental treatment that holds promise for the diabetic. Islets are taken from a donor pancreas and transplanted to the pancreas of a diabetic. Islets are found in clusters in the pancreas and contain beta cells. Beta cells produce insulin. The human trials conducted so far in this area are showing great promise.

Below is a video I found on Utube about another study for a drug that could be of benefit for diabetics.

Some Expert Information

I found this on u-tube and thought it would be just the ticket for those of you who prefer to listen to something as opposed to reading. I know that sitting and reading something can be rather dry, especially if it is not something meant for entertainment, like a good novel. As we go along I will post more information in this fashion. Sometimes it is easier for me too, than going through a lot of technical information and transposing it into terms the average person can understand, me included. Seeing things explained can go a long way toward understanding, and saves a lot of words trying to describe it.

The Importance of Exercise and Diet

So much today is written of the importance of diet and exercise for all and when one has diabetes it is truly essential that one participate in being active and eat wisely. This is true whether you are a type 1 or a type 2 diabetic.

Diet is very important in the life of a diabetic. Most food is turned to glucose in the body. The cells then take the glucose from the blood stream and convert it to energy. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and allows all the cells to take the glucose from your blood and convert it.

For a diabetic, either the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin (type 1), or doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin produced (type2). When the cells ignore the insulin produced it is called insulin resistance.  It is my understanding that with most type 2 diabetics it is a combination of not enough insulin produced and insulin resistance.

A diabetic, (whether type 1 or type 2), needs to balance calorie intake with the medications so that your bodies glucose levels don’t rise or drop dramatically. This is especially important for insulin dependent diabetics. If you are overweight, losing the excess can go a long way to maintaining optimal health. It will help lower the amount of insulin you need to take, (and for some enable them to get off insulin) and is far better for your heart health and will also help you avoid or reduce other complications. You need to be rigorous in following a strict diabetic diet.

Keep close watch on your intake of fats and carbohydrates. These will raise your blood sugars and fats are high in calories to boot.

Proteins are a good choice for diabetics as they do not raise blood sugars like carbs and fats, and should make up 12% to 20% of caloric intake for the day. A gram of protein equals about 4 calories. It is great for a bedtime snack to help maintain glucose levels. My doctor told me that making sure I had enough protein with each meal or snack also helped keep blood sugar levels steadier as it inhibits the quick uptake of the glucose created by carbohydrates.

A very rich source of protein is fish. Soy and lentils are also high protein foods, along with many kinds of beans such as kidney beans, baked beans etc.

Carbohydrates are the highest source of blood sugar, but don’t eliminate them! It is recommended that 40-60% of your daily calories come from carbohydrates.

Generally carbohydrates are one of two types. Complex carbohydrates are found in fruit, vegetables, whole grains and starches. Simple carbohydrates are found in table sugar and processed foods.

Complex carbohydrates, those we get from vegetables and whole grains are the best because they take longer for the body to break down. They also contain fiber which is essential in preventing heart disease. They also promote weight loss and aid in preventing type 2 diabetes. However starchy food like potatoes and pasta should be very limited and simple carbs should be avoided all together if possible.

Fats can be good or bad depending on the source. Saturated fats (such as red meats) and trans fatty acids, (made from plant fats artificially and are found in fried foods, processed foods and margarine), should be avoided. Those with diabetes should try and stick with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in plant products. These should make up about 30-35% of your calory intake.

Plants, fruits, whole grains and nuts are all  high in  fibers. Fibers  help cleanse the body by passing waste and water through the intestine to be removed as solid waste. They also aid in proper food digestion, help keep a healthy weight, decrease cholesterol levels, and are good for the heart.
As with all you do, consult your doctor or diabetic nurse/clinic for good dietary controls and suggestions.
I found the diabetic nurses at the clinic very helpful in helping me find out what my caloric intake should be for the day and for advice on what foods I should avoid.

Exercise not only helps burn off the calories, it helps your body utilize the sugars, and helps reduce the weight. One side effect of insulin is weight gain. And it is a “catch 22". The more insulin you use, the more weight you gain; the more weight you gain, the more insulin you need. It can almost defeat one.
Exercise can help lose those extra pounds, but you must use caution! If you exercise too much, or too little, it can have a negative affect on your blood sugars. They could go suddenly down (hypoglycemia) or increase very quickly (hyperglycemia). Keep food and medications on hand when you are exercising so that you can deal with extreme variations in blood sugar quickly.

For those who are, for one reason or another restricted in the physical activity they can participate in take a look at my friend Kim's site at http://startfitnessnow.com She was a trainer for the show "The Biggest Loser" and has some wonderful exercise programs for everyone from beginner to advanced. There is even one that can be done from a sitting position. She also offers some expert advice on her site from Dr. Singh to do with nutrition. Some of her information focuses on diabetes.