Adult Stem Cells Research is one of the most promising therapies on the horizon. Extracted from cord blood, benefits of stem cells are currently being explored. One of the most promising areas is stem cells and heart disease, which is the number one killer of Americans!
What Are Stem Cells?
There are two types of stem cells, adult and embryonic. Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated which means they have not become a particular type of cell, like a muscle cell or skin cell. They can grow into any kind of cell in the body.
They come from the clump of cells that develops after a female egg is fertilized. Embryonic stem cells are immortal in that they will keep dividing indefinitely.
Adult stem cells are cells that have the ability to regenerate and repair tissue in your body. However they are NOT immortal, meaning they have a finite life span. They are extracted by saving cord blood (a baby’s umbilical cord), and also from bone marrow, and peripheral blood.
Researchers can use stem cells from cord blood, so that there are no moral or ethical issues with harvesting these cells. However they must be harvested and “banked” immediately after the birth of a baby in order for the stem cells in it to survive.
Benefits of Stem Cells
Stem cells are just beginning to be researched, so we don’t yet know what benefits they will ultimately provide. Regenerative medicine is a brand new field, and it is progressing so fast that the benefits of stem cells will be available to you in the very near future.
What kinds of treatments will be available? Below are some potential benefits of stem cells:
- Treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma
- Healing of bone marrow damaged by chemotherapy or radiation
- Possible repair of damage to the heart and cardiovascular system
- Possibility of treating disease of the immune and nervous system
- Could be used to improve appearance of aging tissues like skin
Stem Cells and Heart Disease
Heart disease claims more lives than any other chronic illness. It is here that adult stem cells research may provide the most benefit. These stem cells can actually repair tissue in the heart and vascular system (blood vessels).
Researchers used to believe that the heart muscle’s cells could not be regenerated. However recent research with adult stem cells has shown promising results. Treatment with stem cells in clinical trials has helped heal damaged heart tissue and improved the outcomes of patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Damage to structures such as the endothelium, and heart muscle can now be effectively reversed by the use of stem cell therapies.
This is still in the clinical trial stage but the working principle that is using stem cells to regenerate cardiac tissue has been proven.
The promise of stem cells and heart disease is that it will be possible to reverse damage from heart disease, rather than just prevent it.
It may mean that heart transplants may no longer be needed in the future to save lives of patients with badly damaged hearts.
Adult Stem Cells Research
In summary, adult stem cells research promises to completely change the way we treat chronic diseases of aging. It has the potential to regenerate tissues that were thought to be unable to be repaired.
This is a huge step forward in antiaging, because the ravages of aging can not only be slowed down but actually reversed with benefits of stem cells. You are no longer at the mercy of father time. You can have greater longevity AND the health to enjoy it!
I will be keeping track of the progress made in adult stem cells research (such as stem cells and heart disease) and provide updates periodically on what therapies are now available and where they are being provided.
Aging and Disease – Lifestyle and Longevity
American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine