I’m sure you’ve already heard about stem cells. Maybe you saw a news story or a read a news article or saw the Presidential address. They are the most widely publicised scientific discovery today and with good reason. How about embryonic stem cells? They have created a great deal of controversy and with good reason. The lure of what embryonic stem cells can do for our health has led to ethical issues surrounding such things as embryo harvesting. One thing remains, stem cells represent the future of health and wellness as we know it. And they are here to stay.
Stem cells are master cells, meaning that they can generate many, if not all, of the different tissues of the body. They are with us our entire lives and are released naturally from the bone marrow, but like everything else, the process behind their release slows down with age. When there aren’t as many stem cells in the blood stream, the body can’t repair and renew itself as it once did. These master cells are still contained in the bone marrow in the millions, just not being released as they should.
As this natural release occurs we need to concern ourselves with finding ways to reverse it. The good news is there are 4 things we can do:
Stem cells are the only known source for rebuilding the body and renewing health by restoring lost or degraded cells. They have already been used to help treat things such as Leukaemia, AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis.
They have been used to form new cartilage, grow new corneas to restore sight to the blind, as treatments for stroke victims, and several groups are using adult stem cells with patients to repair damage after heart attacks.
Early clinical trials have also shown initial success in patient treatments for Parkinson’s disease and spinal cord injury. And, the first FDA-approved trial to treat juvenile diabetes in human patients is ready to begin at Harvard Medical School, using adult stem cells.
In short, they are the building blocks of life itself.
‘Adult stem cells’ is the term given to stem cells after birth, which means babies have adult stem cells in their bodies. Embryonic stem cells are simply those from embryos — undifferentiated, or not developed into a specific cell types. Research has shown that embryonic stem cells can develop genetic abnormalities. This is not the case with our own adult stem cells.
For this reason, researchers such as Kursad Turksen in his book, Adult Stem Cells, offer the following wisdom: ‘Adult stem cell biology is at the forefront of the emerging field of regenerative medicine, offering a source of cells to generate tissues that lack some of the ethical and political impediments inherent in embryonic, foetal, and cloned cells’.
The biggest advantage of using adult stem cells is that the body’s own stem cells can be used, effectively removing the problems of immune rejection or abnormalities.
Adult stem cell science is real.
Adult stem cell research offers the best and clinically proven treatments for a whole host of human diseases and conditions and is helping people overcome these health challenges as you read this article. There are currently dozens of clinical trials in Australia and the world using adult stem cells (but none for embryonic stem cells) which is why the future of regenerative health and wellness looks great with adult stem cells.
Have you ever considered using adult stem cells for an ailment you have? Have you ever heard of anyone you know using them for their own health? Tell us below.