China’s Tourism: Historical Sites, Medical Advancement and a Promising Future

Throughout centuries, man has scaled from one developmental milestone to another, leaving in its wake beautiful ruins of civilizations and yet to be fulfilled hopes for even better developmental achievements. These transitions are present in various parts of the world, but only a few countries were able to record and preserve the past and present the possibilities of the future. One of these said countries is China.

Luckily, in our generation, we can observe these transitions and future perceptions through tourism. We can visit many historical places that can illustrate the lives of people during various civilizations at different points in time. One such cultural heritage site is the Zijin Cheng, which literally translates to "Purple Forbidden City"; but is more commonly known as the "Forbidden City". The site is considered to be the best preserved imperial palace in the whole China and was declared to be a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. The Forbidden City is the biggest ancient palatial edifice in the world. The whole site covers up to 72 hectares or about 178 acres. This acreage is covered with 90 palaces and courtyards, 980 buildings, with a total of 8,704 rooms. To keep the people out as well as in, the Ming dynasty also included in the construction 10 feet tall walls along the circumference of the city which measures up to 3,430 meters.

After revisiting the remnants of the past and admiring the ruins of a civilization long gone, you may also take a peek at what the future holds through medical tourism. Among the other types of tourisms China offers, medical tourism is slowly taking on a huge part in the country's goal of attracting people. One of the medical advances China offers that you may be interested in is stem cell treatment. Among the many capabilities of stem cell therapy are its anti-aging and rejuvenating capability. The treatment works by reintroducing stem cells in your body's depleted stem cell lines, thereby allowing for the revival of many functions of the body. With the treatment, your body will be able to restore its otherwise long-gone self-rejuvenating and regenerating capabilities; your body can then fix itself after injuries and will be more resilient to disease and degeneration. The treatment is designed to restore your youthfulness and improve aesthetics, as well as your general health and well-being.

Man has gone through a lot of developmental stages; we can revisit the past by checking-out the remnants of the past. The future, on the other hand, through medical advances, is still uncertain and what our generation can do at present is to hope for the best.

An Up Close Look at Stem Cell Treatments

Many people have heard about promises made by advocates of stem cell treatment. There are many clinics that are dedicating themselves to IV vitamin therapy, stem cell therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in an effort to enhance the lives of people who are getting on in years.

No one has ever said that death can be avoided, but research and experience seem to indicate that old age can be made more comfortable by a combination of healthy living and therapy of one sort or another. Are the treatments safe and effective?

There are different stem cells that are formed at different times in one's life or come from different parts of the body. Embryonic stem cells are existent only in the early stages of life; there are various stem-cells that stay with the individual for life that first appear in fetal development.

The human body makes use of specific, tissue related stem cells to fit a specific purpose. They are limited in their potential and are usually resulting from the cells from which they came. As a simple example, the cells found in bone marrow are the cells that are required to make blood, while cells in the brain, called neural cells, make more brain cells. A neural cell may not necessarily make blood no more than a stem cell from bone marrow make brain cells. It has yet to be proven that stem cells can solve all problems.

It is unlikely that a single cell can be harvested that can solve all problems, embryonic stem cells, however, are showing promise but unfortunately there is still a great deal of social stigma associated with the research. The most promising treatment in the meantime is with stem cells harvested from bone marrow. These cells have proven to be beneficial in treating immune system disease and show promise for treating bone, skin and corneal disease and injuries. Stem cell treatment is considered safe by the medical community.

Myer's Cocktail: the Father of All Vitamin Drips

Despite the (mostly) unsavory publicity that IV vitamin therapy has been receiving lately, it still deserves a second look. Why? Because despite the current media hype on these so-called party girl drips, IV vitamin treatment is in fact an old and trusted remedy that's already been in use for decades.

The early form of this treatment is called the Myer's Cocktail. It was developed more than 30 years ago by John Myers, a doctor who lived and practiced in Baltimore. This pioneering IV vitamin cocktail contains magnesium, selenium, calcium, vitamins B5, B6, and B12, as well as an average of 25 grams of vitamin C.

Myer's nutrient concoction was originally used to address chronic fatigue syndrome with or without the Epstein-Barr virus; chronic depression; migraine; the ill effects of narcotic withdrawal; some respiratory issues; and sinusitis. Currently, this type of IV vitamin therapy is used against pimple breakouts, uneven skin tone, fatigue, insomnia, diminishing sex drive, dull skin, flaky skin, and eczema.

The secret to this impressive list is of course, in the mega-dosage of vitamins and nutrients the injectable cocktail can deliver. Vitamin C has a beneficial effect with allergies, it can also boost immunity. The combination of Vitamins C and B5 (pantothenic acid) can be stored in the adrenal glands to help maintain high energy levels throughout the day.

Magnesium relaxes smooth muscles in the lungs to help relieve asthma, hypertension and angina. IV magnesium is also associated with the relief of migraine pains as well as nausea and vomiting. Magnesium, in combination with calcium, vitamin C, and B complex vitamins, can treat fibromyalgia and myofacial pain. Calcium helps alleviate asthma, whereas selenium aids in detoxification of heavy metals. The B vitamins, on the other hand, have a positive effect on the body's energy levels.

Supporters of vitamin drips say that the more effective transfer of nutrients from the blood to the cells is what makes injectable vitamins more effective than the usual oral vitamins.

Stem Cell Therapy on the Front Line of Anti Aging

Stem cell therapy is showing promise in the cure of cancer and repairing injuries to the spinal cord – it is also in the front line as a potential treatment for anti aging therapy.

With baby boomers now reaching retirement age, the slowdown of their bodies not only will take their toll on the boomers, but will take its toll on the health system as well. Medical researchers are working furiously to find treatments and cures for many age related issues; anything from heart disease to Alzheimer's and broken bones.

Science knows that stem cells are the foundation for the development of all living things. Stem cells at the embryonic stage have the potential of becoming anything, whereas adult stem cells are limited in what they can do and what uses they can be put to. Regardless, stem cells have the potential of allowing the body to repair itself and replace cells which have been damaged.

A lot of the work in stem cell technology has been focusing on how these cells can be manipulated to manufacture other cells anywhere in the body – cells that can replicate and replace those that may have failed in the heart, brain or anywhere else. Many scientists are focusing their attention on how stem cells can be used to keep bodies healthier as they age. It is not an issue of extending the life span; it is more an issue of making one's life better as they age.

Stem cells fade over time and their ability to repair, heal and replenish is diminished. Research has found that elderly individuals have almost the same quantity of stem cells as younger people, but they lose out on performance. The surrounding tissue for some reason slows them down and they become less productive.

The research is focused on ways of reactivating these stem cells as they show potential in treating many diseases associated with aging, most of which are the result of the body's inability to be self healing. There are systems that are severely affected by aging – they simply break down, cease to function or result in disease. Stem cells have the potential of repairing tissue, adding not years, but productive years to life. Stem cells may help people remain vigorous as they age, adding to the enjoyment of life.

Research continues, but results look promising with each study and each finding made.

The Controversy Over Stem Cell Therapy

There are currently three ways to harvest stem cells – bone marrow, blood and embryos. The preferred method is from using the blood, as it is thought to be safer and can be done with no anaesthesia. Harvesting stem cells from bone marrow is the preferred source when the blood cannot provide sufficient cells. Harvesting embryonic stem cells is really where the controversy with stem cell therapy lies.

Removing stem cells from blood can be accomplished by processing the blood of either the patient or an outside donor. The procedure consists of placing an IV in each arm – through one, IV blood is drawn from the body, then processed by a machine which extracts the stem cells. The blood is then returned to the body through the second IV. Harvesting stem cells from blood can be done time after time until there are sufficient stem cells to begin the anti aging therapy that they are being harvested for. There may be discomfort in the bones as the marrow works overtime to generate more blood and white blood cells. Once enough stem cells have been harvested, the pain quickly subsides.

Usually, before harvesting stem cells from the blood, the patient gets a drug that increases the production of white blood cells in his bone marrow. Although blood is the preferred source for stem cells, there are very few of them in the blood. The drug that is given stimulates a massive overproduction of white blood cells that spill over from the marrow into the blood where they are harvested. Stem cell treatment for any purpose requires millions of stem cells to work correctly. Timing the harvest is constantly monitored to determine exactly when to start the process as the drug causes such a rapid production of white blood cells that they age and begin to die very quickly.

Harvesting stem cells from a human embryo causes the death of the embryo – hence, the moral dilemma. Many people consider this method of stem cell extraction tantamount to murder. Research continues and it is looking more and more promising that a stem cell can be extracted from the embryo and the remaining cells can be reintroduced into the womb, thereby preserving the embryo.

Regardless of how the stem cells are harvested, they show tremendous promise in treating disease as far removed from one another as cancer and aging. Along with alternative therapy, such as IV vitamin therapy, researchers continue to work toward enhancing, and perhaps extending, life.

Patients Report Positive Effects from Stem Cell Anti Aging Therapy

Studies into anti aging therapy are on-going and probably will be for many years to come. As people age, the stem cell production begins a slow decline and the body's cells reduce their ability to regenerate, thereby slowing tissue repair. Changes in the human body which are age related can be seen in the skin, the internal organs, those glands related to the sex drive, the immune and blood forming systems and muscles. These symptoms of aging are all due to the loss of stem cells and the robust nature of the cells.

As new scientific breakthroughs are made, a better understanding of the potential of stem cell therapy will gradually appear. One thing is for certain though; cells lose their strength over time and die, thus, replacing aging cells with new cells is an effective remedy against aging.

There is considerable evidence of the effect of stem cells as an anti-aging agent being reported in various well respected medical journals. In one recent report, preparations made from stem cells showed marked improvement in the immune function and a re-balancing of certain hormones in patients who were involved in cosmetic procedures. The results enhanced the cosmetic effect considerably.

Reports from patients consistently suggest unexpected positive results when undergoing anti-aging stem cell treatments. Depending on the patient's age and overall wellness at the time of treatment, the results of course differed, but some of the more common results that were noted and reported are:

•    Improved overall feeling of fitness, increase in energy and vigor
•    A marked improvement in mobility, endurance, strength and coordination coupled with a desire for an increase in physical activities
•    A reduction in the symptoms seen in arthritis and an improvement in the function of joints
•    An improvement in overall mental capacity, including enhancement in one's ability to concentrate, a longer span of attention, clearer thinking, articulation and memory
•    An elevated mood, a more positive attitude coupled with a decrease in irritability, apathy and better sleep patterns
•    General feeling of being physically and mentally refreshed upon waking
•    A restoration in the activity of damaged tissue and organs
•    Improved appetite
•    Improved sex drive

There is little doubt that as research into stem cell technology continues reinforcement of these and other positive benefits will emerge. Perhaps the day will come when a cocktail of anti-aging therapies and treatments will never stop the clock but make old age something to honestly look forward to.

Stem Cell Therapy Combats the Effects of Aging

As one ages, there is a continuing depletion in stem cells in the body. However, research shows that replacement stem cells introduced into the body have the possibility and potential of reversing, or at least slowing down the aging process. Stem cell technology has also proven that stem cells have the unique ability to improve the immune system, regenerate and repair organs which have been damaged by free radicals and all of the various toxins the human body is exposed too.

A body makes use of its own stem cells in an effort to make the person stronger, healthier and more disease resistant. As the body ages, the stem cells are used to repair organs that get damaged; cells in the lungs which are injured as a result of smoking, as well as cells that are damaged due to over exposure to the sun's harmful rays are repaired by stem cells. Continued research is showing that stem cells are not only replenishing the various organs in the body, they are also effective for anti aging treatment.

The stem cells which are found in bone marrow are released slower and there are fewer of them. This results in a decrease in the body's ability to combat the effect of aging. This, however, can be reversed with adult stem cell therapy. Pliable, young looking skin is the result of epidermal stem cells that renew themselves throughout one's life. Even as the skin begins to show signs of aging – blotches, discoloration, loss of suppleness, etc., – the stem cells remain at a normal level. This fact indicates that skin aging is caused by a reduced number of stem cells being mobilized to respond to the signals that indicate repair is required. With this knowledge, the medical profession now knows that by increasing the quantity of stem cells in the body, a change in cell behavior is possible.

It is not only aging that can be slowed or reversed with stem cell therapy; it is a proven fact that stem cell retardation as a result of aging is responsible for coronary artery and cardiac muscle damage. With stem cell treatment, cardiac disease can also be treated.

The American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine suggests that stem cells are the most powerful weapon available to modern medicine at present and that supplementing stem cell production results in an increase in stem cells and the longevity of the cells.

Stem Cell Treatment and IV Vitamin Therapy: Best Beauty Options

At present, there is an observable rise in the number of Beverly Hills anti aging clinics. This rise can be traced back to the current societal aesthetics norms and demands; that is, maintaining a youthful appearance. For the rising demand, modern science is doing its best to keep up by creating a variety of ways by which people, especially women, can maintain society's aesthetic standards. Although science is offering a variety of options, it is important to note that most of these beauty interventions are superficial and can only therefore provide short term solutions to the aging problem.

Taking into consideration not just the external appearance but also the health of people, science has provided society with various alternatives that aim to beautify and rejuvenate from within, such as IV Vitamin Therapy and stem cell treatments.

The IV Vitamin treatment is designed to introduce a cocktail of vitamins to the body through the veins instead of the typical oral intake. This way, the body will get what it is designed to absorb with minimal wastage of the necessary nutrients. Taking the vitamins orally is neither as efficient nor as effective as the IV intervention because much of the designated vitamins will be lost to misapplication and digestion. By receiving the vitamins intravenously, a patient's body will be resilient to diseases, physical and mental illnesses and various health discomforts – and effects are immediate.

Just like IV therapy, stem cell therapy is designed to improve an individual's aesthetics and health through internal rejuvenation. The concept behind this is the reinforcement of the existing stem cells of the body. The body has various naturally-occurring stem cell lines which keep it young and energetic. Aging and disease kicks in when this stem cell line thins out. The treatment is intended to reintroduce stem cells to the body thereby reinforcing the body's stem cell lines, and rejuvenating it and reviving its regenerative capabilities to guard against aging, disease, and injury. Upon receiving the treatment, a patient will observe general improvements in his health and wellbeing as well as in his aesthetics.

Scientists have designed many interventions for keeping people's youthfulness, energy, and beauty. However it is important to note that these treatments will prove superfluous if the health and the general wellbeing of a person are not equally maintained. This fact is the greatest advantage of the two discussed health and beauty interventions when compared to others is that they maintain your beauty and provide you with longevity to enjoy it.

What Is Stem Cell Technology?

The definition of a stem cell is very simple; it is an immature cell that can be a specialist cell for use in different parts of the body. Stem cell technology has come a long way since the scientific breakthroughs of the late 90s, but it all circles around the types of stem cells that exist; adult and embryonic. Embryonic stem cells form during the early division of newly fertilized egg and they can be made to change into any type of cell. The use of embryonic stem cells is quite controversial.

The use of the term adult stem cell is a misnomer because they are nothing but cells which are already in use in developed tissue, so they are found in infants and children as well. Adult stem cells may best be thought of as mature stem cells and they act as the body’s repair kit – dividing on a regular basis to take the place of cells that die or are lost. Adult stem cells have been found in blood, skin, muscle and bone. Adult stem cells are hard to harvest but recent developments make it easier and easier to get them from bone marrow and use them for stem cell therapy in the battle against leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases of the blood, as well as some tumors.

Because stem cells are found in all the different tissues in the body, they have the potential of being utilized for anti aging therapy as well as having applications in treating many health related problems. Studies are ongoing and new breakthroughs are happening in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, heart disease, Alzheimer's, arthritis and many ailments often associated with aging.

One of the original success stories was a bone marrow transplant, where the stem cells of the patient's bone marrow were replaced with healthy stem cells from a matching donor. Once treatment begins the stem cells’ migrate into the bone marrow of the cancer sufferer and the production of healthy new replacement cells begins. Stem cells are in the blood as well, but they are far more difficult to process because, although they are easier to harvest, there is far less of them.

A byproduct of giving birth is the umbilical cord which was at one time simply discarded. It has been found in the research labs that the umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells and treatment with umbilical cord stem cells shows great promise.