Photo by Sage Ross via Wikimedia Commons
When you buy a bottle of tablets that claims each one contains stem cells, think twice about popping the pill. The Food and Drug Administration says the product is likely illegal. In a public advisory, the FDA warned against using unregistered products such as BIO STEM PLUS, which the agency says its makers claimed unfounded health benefits. The agency’s monitoring showed the product, which had been advertised and sold through an online marketing website, claims to “naturally increase adult stem cell circulation.”
“Products containing ingredients that are taken orally, or even applied topically, cannot pass,” as stem cells,” the FDA said. The agency also said it required all human cells, tissues and cellular and tissue-based products (or stem cell products) be registered under their office.
The Department of Health, in a separate circular, describes stem cells and stem cell product as “preparations of viable cells that have the capability to replicate and differentiate into different types of cells.” Stem cells “are intended for implantation, transplantation, infusion or transfer into a human recipient,” the advisory continued. MM
