LITTLE ROCK — (NewsUSA) - Only seven years ago, American health authorities predicted that the number of diabetics in the U.S.

would hit 29 million by 2050. At current growth rates, that number will be hit in 2012.

Treating huge diabetic populations strains health-care systems and budgets. Diabetics normally take medications and receive treatment for serious conditions linked with diabetes, like heart disease, circulatory problems, blindness, stroke and kidney failure.

About 50 percent of the money spent on diabetes treatments goes toward prescription drugs. Studies suggest that drugs cause problems, too. The Food and Drug Administration linked an entire class of diabetic drugs, thiazolidinedione, with an increased risk of heart failure.

What can help treat diabetes without causing complications? According to the Repair Stem Cell Institute, adult stem cell treatments, combined with important lifestyle changes, offer the most hope.

Injecting adult stem cells,not embryonic stem cells, into unhealthy tissue can help the body heal itself. For example, a diabetic with cardiovascular disease could undergo adult stem cell treatment to repair the damaged tissue.

Treatments must be combined with behavioral changes.

Why? Diabetes cannot becured, so it can slowly damage the body throughout a patient's lifetime. A healthy diet naturally rich in nutrients and low in harmful chemicals, combined with regular exercise, can help patients enjoy prolonged improved health. Details are available online at www.repairstemcells.org.

News, Pages 25 on 09/09/2009

Comments

To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers.

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.