stem cells 13 years since their isolation is there any proven benefit to the patient stem cells are seen as the magic bullet while this may be true their efficacy and safety in patients has not yet been established unequivocally this article summarises the different types of stem cells and gives an overview of their advantages and disadvantages their use and potential uses in the patient setting protein turnover in acid maltase deficiency before and after treatment with a high protein diet a patient with acid maltase deficiency was treated with a high protein diet for 7 months protein turnover expressed in terms of lean body mass was shown to be increased in this patient before the diet but was markedly reduced following the diet the patient improved clinically whilst on the diet both subjectively and in terms of mobility breathing and reduced peripheral cyanosis at rest