Cell therapy is the use of living cells or their extracts to treat or cure diseases; to improve health and vitality; or for rejuvenating effects. It includes the use of human and non-human, low antigenic, adult or placental/embryonic/foetal cells given by injection or transfusion (though there are also placental extract oral supplements available) to renew and enhance biological functions without the fear of dangerous side effects.
We are already familiar with some forms of cell therapy used in hospitals. Blood transfusion is actually cell therapy. Tissue grafting and organ transplants are extreme examples of cell therapy, where cell-masses are transferred en-bloc.
The Egyptians were already recommending the injection of crushed animal organs to improve human vitality and treat various ailments over 3,500 years ago. According to historical records, tissue transplants were conducted as early as 2000 years ago.
In modern medicine, animal foetal cellular and extract therapies (especially from sheep) were first developed in Europe, in countries such as Germany, Russia and Switzerland, in the 1920s.
The father of modern cell therapy was Dr Paul Niehans of Switzerland. His first use of cell therapy was in 1930 when he was referred an emergency post-thyroidectomy patient (ie. just had the thyroid gland surgically removed) who was suffering from “severe post-operative parathyroid tetany”, which would have been fatal.
The parathyroid glands are so close to the thyroid glands that they can be accidentally removed during such operations. In desperation, Dr Niehans obtained the parathyroid glands of a newborn ox, grounded it up into very small pieces and made a suspension with saline solution, before injecting it, intra-muscularly, into the patient. The result was a remarkable success.
Dr Niehans later wrote: “I thought the effect would be short-lived, just like the effect of an injection of hormones, and that I should have to repeat the injection. But, to my great surprise, the injection of fresh cells not only failed to provoke an immune reaction, but the effect lasted longer than any synthetic hormone, any implant or any surgical graft. Twenty-six years passed and the patient was still free from cramps”.
Following his first successful cell therapy experiment, Dr Niehans went on to apply this treatment more than 50,000 times, over a period of 40 years.
Cell therapy is still banned in North America due to earlier bad experiences with antigenic/rejection cases. It is thought that the doctors there may not have followed the strict protocols as practised by Dr Niehans and his colleagues, and hence ended up having many complications.
In treating these diseases, organ cells from young animals (for example, pig, sheep, cow and shark) are often used. Embryonic/foetal cells and tissues contain a high concentration of biochemical substances such as growth factors, nucleic acids, peptides, enzymes and so on, designed to bring about high growth rate and repair of foetal structures. When injected into the adult body, they can be absorbed to enhance the living processes of the older recipient body, slowing and reversing degeneration and disease.
In the 1970s, two German scientists at the University of Heidelberg, Dr Lettre and Dr Schmidt, successfully demonstrated by radioactive marking and tracing of cells that injected animal foetal cells invariably ended up in the target organ, for example, heart cells to the heart, and likewise, liver cells to the liver, and so on.
Energy in our genes
In fact, this cellular homing and recognition mechanism relates to the vibrational energies emitted by the DNA coils and the membrane fibre-optics in all living cells, earlier described by both Tesla and Lakhovsky in the 1920s.
This is an exciting discovery for a scientist and qigong master like me, because the convergence of eastern metaphysics and modern science is apparent here. All life has qi, and all life has DNA.
Now we know that our genes are the source of energy that is responsible not only for keeping the cells alive, but also for the cells to recognise one another. Hence, even the heart cells of another species will find the human heart, if injected.
The youngest cells with the youngest genes carry the strongest energy that enable the cells to divide rapidly, carry out all functions, and heal quickly when injured. We see how children are energetic, and heal rapidly from wounds, often without any scarring. Cell therapy is a means of transferring this young, healthy genetic energy to older cells.
We will probably never know the complete answer to how foetal cells from either the same or another species work their wonders when injected into the body.
What does seem apparent is that the genetic information is transferred both energetically and chemically to the host cells, yet not incorporated into the genes of the host cells so it cannot be transmitted to an offspring. Some believe it is the incompatibility of the DNA sequence which allows utilisation in the human cell, but prevents transmission of the genetic effects to the next generation.
Anti-ageing cell therapy
For anti-ageing purposes, very young cells are used because it is found that the young cells can influence the host (patient) cells to repair and rejuvenate themselves. The usual sources are sheep placenta, embryo or foetus.
The most expensive is fresh live cell therapy where the living cells are injected within five hours after extraction.
These are done in specialised centres by skilled doctors under very strict regulations. Injections of frozen live cells, or lyophilised freeze-dried cells, are more affordable. The most common (and cheaper) method is cell extract injections, and the cheapest are the extracts in oral capsules.
Does anti-ageing cell therapy work?
I leave you with this quote: “You meet people in their 80s and 90s who have the vitality of those who are 25 with sharp brains, a wonderful sense of humour and a dynamism that puts most of us to shame.” Leslie Kenton (health writer), as quoted in her book, Age Power, after visiting a cell therapy centre.
· Dr Amir Farid Isahak is a medical specialist who practises holistic medicine and has been teaching qi gong for more than 10 years. He is the former president of the Guolin Qi Gong Association, Malaysia. You can e-mail him at starhealth@thestar.com.my The views expressed are those of the writer and readers are advised to always consult expert advice before undertaking any changes to their lifestyles. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2005/10/9/health/12249407&sec=health
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