Baby Boomer Woman

Stem Cells For Disc Bulge Therapy?

For years, doctors have used prolotherapy to create a therapeutic environment for cell regeneration.

The injections are of P2G, which is propylene, glucose and glycerine. The intended effect is to induce a hyperosmotic solution into the affected area, lyse the cells, and let the body heal itself.

Basically, that means that by injection, the ligamentous tissue is destroyed, and that the body must repair itself.

It's kind of like being hit by a truck, tearing your ligaments (which hold your joints together), and letting them repair themselves. Good in theory.

Personally, I have had these injections, and they can be quite painful, but ultimately effective.

Recently, some doctors are approaching this a different way.

JUPITER, Fla., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- BioRestorative Therapies, Inc. ("BRT" or the "Company") (otcqb:BRTX), a life sciences company focused on adult stem cell-based therapies, announced today that the latest version of its stem cell disc delivery device, which is to be used in the treatment of bulging and herniated discs, has shown improvements when compared to earlier versions.

The first generation of the device had shown the potential to reduce disc bulges and avoid lower back surgery with a simple injection procedure. The latest generation has shown improvements, and testing of the device will continue to be done to obtain improved disc penetration and steering for optimal cell placement.

The patent-pending delivery device to be used by medical practitioners is a specifically designed needle/catheter delivery system that will inject cells directly into the annular tear that is causing the bulge or herniation.

On April 11, 2012, the Company announced the closing of its licensing agreement with Regenerative Sciences, Inc. pursuant to which BRT was granted, among other things, the exclusive right to license and sell the stem cell delivery device worldwide.

Mark Weinreb, CEO of BRT, commented, "The delivery device's novel design and unique capability of delivering cells, specifically where they are most effective, is a necessary component of the treatment regimen. As our disc restoration program advances and we receive all necessary approvals, we look forward to easing the pain experienced by back and disc pain sufferers."



I don't know how you feel about stem cells, but it appears as if this is promising.

Nonetheless, it is still in developmental stages, and any complications and/or 'side effects' are not as yet reported.

In the meantime, take a look at Dr. Tom's Better Back System for an all natural, do it yourself solution that can have you back on your feet in a week.

hWhat's a herniated disc?

It's a disc between two vertebrae whose jelly-like center (nucleus) has been squeezed out past the surrounding cartilage tissue that holds it in place.

Think of a somewhat flattened excercise ball, filled with semi-solid jelly inside of a tire laying flat on the ground.

The ball is blown up just enough to be just a little bit taller than the tire. When there is weight placed on the

ball, the tire keeps it place. That way, the ball doesn't completely flatten out, and it can support weight.

Get the picture?

If the tire is worn out enough, the pressure from the ball can make it bulge out - a bulging disc!

OK, now imagine that the tire gets worn out. When a weight is placed on top of the ball, the jelly can squirt out through the tire tread. As long as that semi-solid jelly is still a part of the jelly in the ball, it is called herniated, and if it pushes out a blob, it is called a prolapsed disc.

Sure it is simplistic, but I hope you get the idea.

Now comes the big question...

So What?

If the herniated nucleus does not get 'sucked' back in to the center, there is danger that it can prolapse, and it becomes a surgical situation!

If you have a herniated disc, you find it do be very painful (I sure did!).

Further, you begin to have that pins and needles feeling in the toes at first, slowly progressing up the leg. That is because the sensory information that travels up the nerve to the brain gets interrupted, and you begin to lose feeling. If that gets worse, the signals from the brain get interrupted as well, and the muscles don't work.

Foot drop occurs, and that is a bad thing.

Further, you can begin to lose control of your bowels and bladder (the same nerves), and that's not good!

So, if you have a herniated disc, you need to take it seriously.

For more information, look at Dr. Tom's BetterBackSystem!

It's still cold and flu season so let's turbo charge our immunity system

Image via Wikipedia

 

I just read a great article about charging up our immunity system.  Many babyboomers like  myself spend a great deal of time with our grandchildren.  I do love them dearly, but they are little germ bodies and share everything they'd picked up at daycare and school.

I'd like to share those 7 ways with you.  Here's the first one.

1. Chatting with a girlfriend...Cutting infection risk by 67% ....Spend 30 minutes during the week visiting with your friends.  This can reduce your chances of developing a viral illness by 67%.  Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg say that Fun and laughter can kick-start your brain's production of mood and immunity boosting hormones...serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. I believe the key is fun and laughter in your conversation...smile while you are on the phone or in person with your friends..it's contagious!

 

Immunity tip #2 Quash a Cough

Image via Wikipedia

Dried apricots..The pretty orange fruit is very rich in beta-carotene according to the article.  The beta-carotene keeps the lining of the sinuses and throat healthy so germs can't get a toe hold, say USDA researchers.

and an added Bonus.....Beta-carotene boots the product of virus-fighting T cells by 33 percent if you do get sick.

The studay-proven dose: 1/2 cup daily.....how sweet is that....and they taste so good!

Other great sources include sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin and carrots.

 

Immunity Tip #3 Red Meat

Image via Wikipedia

 

I was suprized as I read the article to see that red meat is loaded with zinc.  Did you know that zinc is a mineral that destroys viruses at the most common point of entry which are the tissues lining our noses and throats?  According to the research at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation...enjoying just 4 ounces of beef per day can cut the length of time we struggle iw viral infections by 42% or more.  For those of you who don't like beef you could also eat 4 ounces of poultry, seafood or fish daily to up your intake of zinc.

I think I am going to add a  zinc tablet to my daily vitamin pills.

Immunity tip # 4 is Ginger Tea

ginger tea (Photo credit: digiyesica)

 

A simple cup of Ginger tea is pretty amazing.  It can build up your defenses against cold and flu bugs within three hour of your first cup. James F Balch, M.D., coauthor of Prescription for Natural Cures says the credit goes to ginger's very potent antiviral compounds.  These compounds double the proudction of the immune system proteins lining your lungs and quash viruses.

Are you already sick with a cold or flu? Then sipping atleast 2 cups of Ginger Tea a day will trim two days off the length of time that you are under the weather.  This sounds pretty sweet to me and I intend to add Ginger Tea to my life!

Simple cleaning with vinegar and Arm and Hammer baking soda

I don't know about you, but I've gotten very sensitive to many clean products.  I've discovered that plain old white distilled vinegar and Arm and Hammer baking soda can do a great job of cleaning without nasty side effects.

I believe our grandmothers probably used alot of white distilled vinegar as a household cleanser, because they found it killed most mold, bacteria, and germs. They  may not have known it's effectivness is due to its level of acidity. They did not have all the fancy cleaners we have filled with harsh chemicals.  I am using it more and more because I know that it is very environmentally friendly and very economical and good to my pocket book.

Here are a few ways I use it in my kitchen...

1..I mix  about a 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent and a small amount of  white distilled vinegar. Then I mix it  till it's creamy texture and adjust the amount of vinegar to get the thickness I want.  This is a great cleanser for scouring.

2. I have a glass cooktop and I sprinkle baking soda over it, then spray it with vinegar..oh yes did I mention I keep a spray bottle of undilluted white vinegar in the kitchen and bathroom.  It bubbles up and I leave it for a few minutes...then come back wipe it off and rinse with water for a shiny clean cook top!

3. You probably already use Arm and Hammer in your refrigerator..but I also wash the walls and shelves with a mix of vinegar and water for a clean sparkling refer.

 

 

 

How To Treat Your Own Back Pain http://www.fixmyownbackpain.com/how-to-treat-your-own-back-pain/how-to-treat-your-own-back-pain/

Veggie Drinks

Did you receive an electric juicer/juice fountain  for Christmas....or do you have one collecting dust on your kitchen counter?  Are you looking to be a little healthier in 2012?   You might want to try some of these great revitalizers.

Here are some easy feel-great veggie drinks to try..

Spinach 'n Apple

Refer to your electric juicer for directions in preparing juice. 

2 cups broccoli florets
2 cups spinach leaves
1/2 green pepper
1/2 apple
If you choose a Granny Smith apple you will have less sugar in your drink
as this veriety contains 25 % less sugar than other apples.

Spinach is very good for energy.  It contains compounds called
inorganic nitrates that help your muscle cells convert carbohydrates
and gat into usable energy, according to a study in "Cell Metabolism"

 

Tomato with a citrus twist

This veggie drink is very good for your immune system and you can make it quickly with an electric juicer or juice fountain.

Follow the directions for your particular juicer.

2 small ripe tomatoes
1 medium carrot...I prefer organic carrots..don't peel it prior to juicing
1 stalk celery
1 peeled orange

The carrot top greens would be an added benefit in your drink too..as they are
filled with vitamin K.  The beta-carotene in the carrot helps to boost your level
of virus-fighting T-cell lymphocytes.  In fact according to researchers at the
U.S. Department of Agriculture you can raise your T-cell levels by 33% in
just three days.