The Philippines is the biggest market for the popular, if highly controversial, alternative treatment in Germany called fresh-cell therapy (FCT). Fresh cells derived from the fetus of an unborn lamb are injected into patients, and are said to cure a large number of illnesses.

Despite the high cost of the treatment, wealthy Filipinos are undeterred, and typically arrive in droves in a sleepy town outside Frankfurt, their hopes of being cured or rejuvenated pinned on the life of every donor sheep.

Given its renown, its no surprise that questions about the efficacy and safety of FCT has been the subject of discussions among health professionals. There have also been rumors of deaths after FCT.

The proponents of FCT in Germany, however, claim that all talk about patient deaths and questionable safety standards are unfounded, and an uncouth effort to discredit FCT so that the same medical professionals here could promote stem-cell therapy, which is allowed in the country. They deny the rumors of deaths and challenge their accusers to show proof. They also maintain that FCT is a decades-old, legitimate and safe naturopathic treatment.

Theres also a rivalry in Edenkoben between the famous clinic Villa Medica and the breakaway practice of Dr. Robert Janson-Mller, who used to work at the same clinic.

Dr. Mller now administers FCT in a hotel, which doubles as his clinic. This gave rise to talks questioning the standards of a practice that is done in a hotel, not a hospital. Some accounts also say that there have been Filipino patients fooled into believing they were bound for Villa Medica, only to find themselves in Dr. Mullers hotel.

Inquirer Lifestyle visits the two rival clinics in Germany, and we experience firsthand what FCT is all about.

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Tags: Dr. Robert Janson-Mller , Frankfurt , fresh cell therapy , Stem Cell Therapy , Villa Medica

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The furor over fresh-cell therapy (which is NOT stem cell therapy)

EDENKOBEN, a postcard-pretty town an hours drive south of Frankfurt, offers picturesque scenes of vineyards

Its not only about adding years to life, but adding life to years.

This in essence sums up the philosophy behind Dr. Robert Janson-Mllers practice as a general practitioner in Munich and as a specialist (one of a handful) in live cell therapy in Edenkoben, a picturesque, grape-producing town one hour south of Frankfurt.

A growing number of Asians, including Filipinos suffering from such ailments as diabetes, heart disease, degenerative disorders of the joints and spinal column, multiple sclerosis, mild depression, burnout, migraine and even impotence, are braving the 14-hour flight to Germany to avail themselves of the therapy pioneered in the 30s by Swiss doctor Paul Niehans.

Live cell therapy, which is an organ-specific approach, involves harvesting fresh cells from sheep embryo and injecting them directly (intramuscular) on the patients buttocks.

Not a few parents also swear by the therapys beneficial effects on their children with mild autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Downs syndrome.

DR. ROBERT Janson-Mller and his team composed of Joesoef Agoes, head nurse Simone Huethere, Dr.Wolgang Janson-Mller, assistant nurse Debbie Lehmann and Joey Santos

Better functions

During our coverage, for instance, we came across an Indonesian couple with an 11-year-old son with ADHD and mild autism. After trying all sorts of treatments to improve their sons focus and EQ, including a daily dose of the drug Concerta, the couple learned about live cell therapy from another parent with an autistic son.

Before live cell therapy, he was mostly limited to one-word sentences, said the dad of his son. And when he talked to people, he lacked eye contact. Now, I could teach him to form complete thoughts and sentences.

See the original post here:
Live cell therapywhy its not about healing and performing miracles

EMIL Sison, Davao resident and Villa Medica patient. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL

At about this time last year, Emil Sison was hobbling around with the aid of a cane. His speech was so slurred that he was embarrassed to speak to people.

When he had to pay for something, hed feel the storekeepers exasperation as his shaky hands struggled to grip the bills from his wallet.

Sison, 66, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease two years ago, a new blow for the retired Davao construction company owner who had already suffered from two heart attacks prior.

This time, Sisons new condition had symptoms so enfeebling that they threatened his quality of life, unacceptable for a man who refuses to slow down and resign himself to his bed as he awaits his end.

VILLA Medica managing director Bobby Chia with Miss Universe and actress Gloria Diaz and Villa Medica Philippines country manager Suzette Lopez in Edenkoben. PHOTO BY CHECHE MORAL

When we met him last month at the Villa Medica hospital in Edenkoben, Germany, a quiet little town surrounded by forests and vineyards an hour-and-a-half-long drive from Frankfurt, it was hard to imagine the robust man as he described himself from the year before, when he first received fresh-cell therapy (FCT). He came down from his room sans walking stick, his speech was clear, and he showed us that only two of his fingers remained slightly shaky.

I talked to another patient today, and he noted that it was my second time here, he said. And I said, I wouldnt be here again if its not good Last year, I thought tama na, malayo at mahal, kaya na. But when I felt new symptoms of the same disease, I thought, delikado. Ayokong maging bedridden. Ayokong maghintay na lang ng katapusan. (Thats enough, I thought. The treatment is far and expensive But I didnt want to be bedridden and just wait for my end.)

Like many Filipinos who may have heard of this unorthodox alternative treatment in Germany, Sison had doubts about FCTs efficacy, even as he had agreed to travel across the world and pay good money for the treatment.

Preventive, regenerative

See the article here:
Filipinos make up biggest clientele of German fresh-cell therapy center