The Beginner’s Guide to the Remarkable Healing Power of Stem Cells
Recently, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg pledged three billion dollars to cure all disease. Imagine the day when we know how to harness the body’s remarkable ability to heal, regenerate, and renew, and direct it to treat—perhaps even cure and reverse—disease? That day may not be as distant as you think. In fact, scientists already know what controls this healing power—stem cells or “mother cells.” Stem cells are the present and future of innovative medicine.
What are stem cells? In plain English please…
Unlike regular body cells, stem cells have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different types of cells, giving them all kinds of healing powers. To give you an idea of their differentiation ability, there are only three types of naturally-occurring adult (a.k.a. somatic) stem cells that differentiate into over two hundred types of body cells. Adult stem cells include:
1. Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)—multipotent (differentiates into many) progenitor (parent) of blood and immune cells.
2. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs)—multipotent progenitor of tissue cells (i.e., ligament, tendon, cartilage, muscle). These may also be able to exert some control over the immune system.
3. Neural Stem Cells (NSCs)—multipotent progenitor of nervous system-related cells.
Each of these types of stem cells may come from an identical twin (syngeneic stem cells), a donor (allogeneic stem cells), or the self (autologous stem cells). Autologous stem cells run the lowest risk of rejection by the immune system.
Aren’t stem cells controversial?
These adult stem cells are not in the same category as the controversial Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC), which are harvested from embryos rather than mature, consenting adults. In fact, there is little controversy behind the use of adult stem cells as an evidenced-based, effective approach to many common diseases.
Can stem cells form tumors?
Mature adult stem cells retain their one identity, and do not appear to be capable of transforming into a tumor-forming cell.
How are stem cells used today?
Much to our advantage, scientists are increasingly adept at harvesting and implanting stem cells into patients who really need them. Unfortunately, the demand for stem cells far outstrips the supply. Until researchers can determine how to better grow and develop adult stem cells in petri dishes, this will continue to be a problem.
For many diseases, the right kind of stem cell treatment has the potential to initiate remission and even disease reversal. The long-term effects of stem cell therapy may lessen the need for pharmaceuticals, much to the chagrin of the (very rich and powerful) American pharmaceutical industry.
Though the future is promising, http://premier-pharmacy.com today there are only a few FDA-approved uses for stem cells. Stem cells are currently approved as a treatment of blood, bone marrow, and immune disorders, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Though not yet an FDA-approved use, stem cells are highly successful in treating burn victims and patients with eye disorders, including blindness. Stem cells also hold promise for treating degenerative diseases of the brain and nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease. In addition, stem cell will likely become a leading therapy for cardiovascular disease, because, unlike any other treatment, stem cells can actually regrow damaged heart tissue. Stem cells can also produce the insulin-producing cells that people with Type 1 Diabetes lack. They can help regrow damaged lung tissue in patients with COPD. Finally, they can successfully regrow tissue damaged by arthritis and autoimmune conditions.
What’s the future of stem cells?
Theoretically, stem cells can successfully treat any and all diseases. This is the future of medicine—a future in which treatment becomes synonymous with cure. Researchers are working to differentiate stem cells to target specific diseases.
Over a decade ago, stem cell research took a huge leap forward when researchers in Kyoto, Japan, pioneered a new kind of stem cell. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) are genetically-reprogrammed adult stem cells that have the pluripotent power of Embryonic Stem Cells. That is, iPSCs can differentiate into any body cell, rather than a few specific types. Though they may one day revolutionize medicine, they remain in the lab because researchers lack a safe method to introduce them into the human body.
The genetic reprogramming process necessary to develop iPSCs can be used to develop Disease-Specific and Patient-Specific Stem Cells. This could greatly increase the effectiveness of broad-spectrum adult stem cells. While stem cell therapy is effective now, the future promises even greater efficacy for an even wider variety of diseases.
Are Stem Cells Right for Me?
Recognizing the benefits—and very low risk—of stem cells, innovative clinics around the world successfully treat patients with stem cell infusions. Even though the FDA has only approved stem cells to treat specific blood, bone marrow, and immune disorders, there is a plethora of research that supports the efficacy of stem cells in many other diseases from arthritis to disc herniation treatment for low back pain. If you are struggling with a chronic disease, there is good news right here, right now—stem cells! With stem cells, we are well on our way to curing many diseases! Call for more information.