Patient Resource
Pre-treatment steps:
Just as a farmer must till his land, fertilize it, and otherwise prepare it for planting so as to help ensure that the seeds take hold and produce strong healthy crops, so too must physicians do what they can to make the human body a hospitable place that encourages introduced stem cells to find a home, engraft and begin working optimally. Here are some steps that help the process:
Eradicate secondary infections and inflammation prior to therapy
Various studies indicate that stem cells tend to home in on areas of inflammation and low oxygen that typically characterize injured and diseased tissue. It follows that if a person has infections an inflammation in his or her body, stem cells are apt to migrate whatever the "biological fire" is. This kind of diversion can complicate the stem cell's arrival at the target organ or tissue and the subsequent facilitation of the healing process.
Reduce high levels of heavy metals
Doctors performing stem cell treatments typically insist that heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic, which are toxic to proliferating cells should be reduced as much as possible in the recipient's system. These metals can also wreak havoc on the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. A physician can run a simple test known as the "DMSA" challenge test to ascertain the level of heavy metals in a person's system. Once tested, the physician treats the person with the appropriate chelating (metal - removing) drug or chemical.
Eradicate bacterial overgrowth in the gut
Leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability) and gut dysbiosis (overgrowth of "bad" bacteria and/or fungi in the gut) should be treated to prevent noxious chemicals called "endotoxins" from entering or otherwise influencing the body and bringing about conditions that might interfere with the activity of the introduced stem cells. You will want to consult with your physician regarding treatments for these conditions.
Post Stem Cell Treatment Care:
After stem cell treatment, there are certain recommendations that should be followed to ensure greatest success. Following through on these recommendations may require the help of a physician, therapist, family friends, or caregivers.
Reduce or avoid stress
It is important that patients reduce emotional and physical stress as much as is possible. Stress-induced hormones called "glucocorticoids" produced by the adrenal glands boost the creation of neurotransmitters such as glutamate and aspartate. These compounds are known to damage and even destroy new neurons, and it is conceivable that they might adversely impact introduced stem cells.
Avoid sugar rich foods
Doctors generally recommend that food and beverages high in sugar should be avoided. They can cause blood sugar levels to increase and then drop dramatically as the hormone insulin kicks in to counteract this rise. This can trigger a stress response that might have unforeseen negative influences on introduced stem cell therapy.
Avoid tobacco
Doctors involved in stem cell therapies recommend that patients avoid using tobacco in any form for at least six months following treatment. Tobacco is sometimes laden with toxic heavy metals and most certainly generates free radicals - noxious that can damage cells. Moreover, the nicotine in tobacco is a poison that can kill cells, including the all-important neurons the nervous system needs to function.
Avoid alcohol
Because alcohol inhibits the production of nerve growth factor and is toxic to new neurons, most physicians and researchers who are involved with stem cell treatments advise patients to avoid drinking alcohol in any form for at least six months following stem cell treatments.
Avoid steroids, opiates and grains
Steroids (such as glucosteroids for immune suppression) and opiate containing medications should be avoided as well as grains and cereals in the diet. Grains, including rice and bread, as well as cow's milk, produce opiate-like compounds called "exorphins" in the body. These compounds appear to play a role in fueling certain inflammatory processes, especially in the central nervous system.
Avoid allergy producing foods
Patients are advised to avoid eating foods that are rich in chemicals that restrict or inhibit cells from dividing and thus increasing in numbers. These foods include many types of berries and citrus fruits such as strawberries, oranges, limes, papaya and pineapple. The consumption of soymilk, soy products and cow's milk is discouraged because these foods are major causes of allergies.
Eat neuroprotectant foods and supplements
Foods high in omega 3 fatty acids like fish and supplements such as turmeric extract, folic acid, niacinamide and N-acetyl-cysteine should be consumed for thirty days or mare following the treatments. This is because when stem cells are introduced into the body and begin migrating, engrafting and presumably multiplying, they need as much protection as possible.
