ARTICLE FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. SEPTEMBER
22, 2005
(Copyright 2005 by the Chicago Tribune)
Dr. Jerome Chao wasn't entirely convinced about the restorative
properties of emu oil until he gave some to a dog-bite victim whose
facial scarring looked like it would eventually require corrective
surgery.
But when the patient returned three months later and the long scar
was barely noticeable, the Albany plastic surgeon began wondering if
there wasn't something to this product extracted from a big,
flightless, unbelievably utilitarian bird.
Pretty much every part of the emu can be used for some commercial
purpose, such as low-fat, high-protein meat or attractive leather,
industry experts say.
They say Aborigines first used emu oil for healing, but its anti-
inflammatory abilities were realized with 1993 studies by Australian
researchers. More research and emu-oil products followed.
The bird's oil, derived from a deposit of fat on its back, is
already used in a popular pain-reducing salve.
Now, Chao is hoping Albany Medical College, where he's a clinical
assistant professor of surgery, will bless his study on whether the
oil may reduce scarring after breast surgeries.
Chao said as soon as he gets approval from a review board at the
college, he will ask patient volunteers to apply emu oil to their
scars. He expects to have a report within 18 months to two years,
with some preliminary results available in six months.
But he wants to prove its worth for certain, which is why he'll do
an official study with the college's backing.
Chao's interest in the oil started when a friend in the medical
industry told him about it. The friend also hooked him up with a
supplier.
So far, the oil has proven more effective than other scar- reducing
lotions and creams, Chao said. But his more formal patient study
should say more.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the fatty-acid-rich oil seem to
be key to reducing the appearance of scars if used within two to
three weeks after surgery, he said.
"For young kids to older retirees, they ask me for anything I can do
to reduce the appearance of scars," Chao said.
So far, he said, it appears the oil works best on new scars.
Chao said if his study proves the oil's worth, he can see it being
used on all kinds of patients, from burn victims to face-lift
recipients.
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