One of the most promising new fields of medicine is the area of stem cell therapies and their use in regenerative medicine. There’s also been a lot of hype surrounding this magic cure-all treatment, so it’s no wonder I’ve received a few calls from readers asking to shed some light from a consumer standpoint.

I’ll preface my statements by stating that I’m not a medical doctor. I did research the topic from a number of resources and viewed what has been posted on the FDA website.

According to the FDA website, stem cells, sometimes called the body’s master cells, are the cells that develop into blood, brain, bones and all of the body’s organs. Stem cells have the potential to repair, restore, replace and regenerate cells. Stem cells could also potentially be used to treat many medical conditions and diseases but currently the list of successful treatments is short, so don’t buy into the hype that it can cure anything that ails you.

You should also know this FDA caution: There are some unscrupulous providers who offer stem cell products that are both unapproved and unproven. These providers make statements and claims that are simply not supported by the science as it is understood today.

For example, some claim that the same stem cell treatment can cure a wide variety of conditions and diseases; but, results suggest that stem cell treatments are more effective at treating specific conditions since stem cells don’t automatically know where to go in the body. And in some documented cases, patients have experienced serious medical reactions including possible tumor growths.

As a result of increasing consumer complaints, the FDA is ramping up its oversight and enforcement to protect people from dishonest stem cell clinics while also encouraging innovation so the medical industry will continue to produce stem cell products to further the effectiveness of treatments.

So how can a consumer protect himself? The FDA states that consumers need to confirm what’s really being offered before you consider ANY treatment. Despite what some providers might claim, this is an experimental (and fairly expensive) treatment and it is not without its risks. Many ask you to pay up front for a series of treatments which aren’t usually covered by insurance and then, in the contract’s fine print, offer no refunds once the course of treatment starts — even if you aren’t satisfied.

Make sure that any stem cell treatment you are considering is either FDA-approved or being studied under an Investigational New Drug Application. This is a clinical investigation plan submitted and allowed to proceed by the FDA. Some clinics may falsely advertise that FDA review and approval of the stem cell therapy is unnecessary. If you encounter one of these providers, might be best to steer clear.

Bottom line: If you are considering this procedure, do your own research and don’t rely solely on the claims stated by a clinic that is advertising these services. Remember, their goal is to get you to purchase treatments because that’s how they get paid.

Either call the FDA at 1-888-463-6332 or check out their website at: https://bit.ly/2mUeCTx

Another great resource is the International Society for Stem Cell Research: http://www.isscr.org

These treatments have been reported to be effective in some cases but are currently limited in their scope, so make sure you determine that what ails you is suitable to a stem cell therapy treatment before you proceed.