Who knew that those crunchy and delicious little blue morsels that everyone seems to like so much could possibly be the next "miracle pill.
" Breaking news suggests that the blue dye which makes those little M&M's so brilliantly colored may also shine as a possible treatment for traumatic spinal cord injuries.
In experiments carried out at the University of Rochester Medical Center involving white rats with severe spinal cord injuries, incredible results have prevailed after the injured rats were injected with a compound called Brilliant Blue G (BBG).
The test group of rats were able to walk again (albeit with a limp) after the administration of this amazing compound.
The only other noticeable side effect being that they had turned a blue color.
Whether or not the color change and the improved mobility is a temporary occurrence or a permanent condition remains to be seen.
At this time there is cause for jubilation and hopefulness at prospects "down the road" for people with life changing spinal cord injuries.
When the body suffers a spinal cord injury, a naturally occurring molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is released and rushes to the injured area in effect killing healthy cells in it's path and causing even greater damage.
Through experimentation, when this ATP was oxidized it became able to block the damage in much the same way that clot busters operate when they are administered to stroke patients and heart attack patients to reduce the extent of injury.
Sadly, this new information will not be helpful to those individuals whose spinal injuries are not new because research suggests that this compound should be administered within the first day of the injury.
These findings are very preliminary and undoubtedly years of testing and research will have to be conducted before this treatment would be available for general use.
Meanwhile it's a great first step towards the reduction (if not elimination) of secondary damage that is known to accompany spinal cord injuries.
Go blue!