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Writer's pictureAnna Strong

STEM CELL FACTS

Just the facts Jack!

Intro to Stem Cell Therapy

Stem Cell Therapy is a complex and evolving field, and while it holds great promise for the treatment of many diseases and conditions, there are still many questions and obstacles that need to be addressed before it can be widely accepted as an effective form of treatment. But we believe it could very well be the future of medicine and the end of many diseases.


Stem Cell Therapy has shown potential for treating a variety of diseases and conditions, including:


Blood Disorders: such as leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle cell anemia.


Autoimmune Diseases: such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.


Neurological Disorders: Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and spinal cord injuries.


Heart Disease: including repairing damaged heart tissue after a heart attack.


Eye Diseases: degenerative eye diseases such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa.


HIV: In several cases it has cured people with HIV, yet most everyone infected is on heavy daily pharmaceuticals.


Many diseases associated with aging can be treated or prevented with stem cell therapy. So why doesn’t a woman’s gynecologist immediately recommend harvesting the baby’s umbilical cord so that the stem cells can be used by the child, siblings or parents for the use of preventing or treatment of disease?


Let’s discuss the different types of stem cells being used in clinical trials in the United States and available for treating disease in other countries. There are several different types of stem cells that are used in stem cell therapies, including:


Adult stem cells: These stem cells are found in various tissues throughout the body, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, and blood. They have a more limited ability to differentiate into specific cell types, but they can still be used for certain types of cell therapy, such as bone marrow transplants.


Cord blood stem cells: These stem cells are found in the blood of the umbilical cord and placenta and can be collected at birth. They are similar to adult stem cells in their ability to differentiate into specific cell types and are often used for the treatment of blood disorders and immune system deficiencies.


Embryonic stem cells (ESCs): These stem cells are derived from human embryos and have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. However, the use of ESCs is controversial because it requires the destruction of embryos. One of the reasons Stem Cell Therapy research is so far behind in the United States is because many people were misled to believe that stem cells were only derived from a fetus which, of course, is totally incorrect.


Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): These stem cells are generated by reprogramming adult cells, such as skin cells, back into a pluripotent state, like that of embryonic stem cells. This eliminates the need for the destruction of embryos and allows for personalized cell therapy.


Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs): These stem cells are found in various tissues throughout the body, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord tissue. They have the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, and muscle cells, and have been used in clinical trials for a variety of conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and osteoarthritis.


Stem cells can be harvested by literally every part of your own body. Blood, Bones, Teeth etc…


Clinical Research

In many cases the umbilical cord and placenta of a newborn child is still thrown away like medical waste. MILLIONS and MILLIONS of life-saving stem cells that could help MILLIONS and MILLIONS of people are hauled away as trash. It is a national shame.


Because of research being done with embryonic stem cells, it became a very religious and controversial topic that George Bush called “a sin against GOD” and stopped all research in the US for years. There is still vast confusion and misconceptions that raise ethical concerns for many people who believe that human life begins at conception and that destroying embryos for research purposes is immoral. But as I have stated that is NOT the only avenue in which stem cells are harvested.


In addition to the ethical concerns, there have also been safety concerns regarding the use of stem cell therapy. Because stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body, there is a risk of the cells forming tumors or growing uncontrollably. There have also been reports of stem cell clinics offering unproven and potentially dangerous treatments to patients, which has led to regulatory bodies cracking down on the industry. Ask questions. Do your research. Make sure you go to a reputable establishment with a history of success. Ask questions! Do your research!


Furthermore, there are questions about the long-term effectiveness of stem cell therapy and the potential for the cells to integrate properly into the patient's body, which is a critical factor for the success of the treatment.


Regenerating Stem Cells

The future of Stem Cell Therapy WILL continue and the more you know...the more you educate yourself on this topic...the faster we will see:


Increased clinical applications: As researchers continue to refine techniques for generating and manipulating stem cells, it's likely that stem cell therapy will become applicable to a wider range of diseases and conditions. This could include more effective treatments for currently incurable diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, heart disease, and spinal cord injuries.


Personalized medicine: Advances in stem cell technology may lead to the ability to create patient-specific stem cells through techniques like induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This could enable the development of personalized treatments tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, reducing the risk of immune rejection and increasing therapeutic effectiveness.


Regenerative medicine: Stem cell therapy could play a crucial role in regenerative medicine, where damaged or degenerated tissues and organs are repaired or replaced using stem cells. This could lead to revolutionary treatments for conditions like organ failure, tissue damage, and degenerative disorders.


Combination therapies: Stem cell therapy might be used in combination with other treatments, such as gene editing or drug therapies, to enhance effectiveness and target specific disease mechanisms more precisely.


Enhanced safety and regulation: Advances in stem cell research and technology will likely lead to improved safety protocols and better understanding of potential risks associated with stem cell therapy. Regulatory agencies will continue to refine guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these treatments.


Growing acceptance: As more clinical trials yield positive results and long-term safety data becomes available, there may be increased acceptance of stem cell therapy by the medical community, insurance companies, and regulatory bodies; leading to wider adoption and coverage.


Reduced cost: Over time, as technology improves and treatments become more standardized, the cost of stem cell therapy may decrease, making it more accessible to a broader range of patients.


Development of off-the-shelf products: Researchers are working on developing "off-the-shelf" stem cell products that can be mass-produced, stored, and readily available for various therapies, eliminating the need for individualized cell production.


Bioengineering and tissue engineering: Advances in stem cell technology, combined with techniques like 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering, could lead to the creation of complex tissues and organs for transplantation, reducing the need for donor organs and addressing the shortage of available organs.


It's important to know that while these possibilities are promising, the field of stem cell therapy is still evolving, and there are challenges, including regulatory hurdles, safety concerns, false beliefs, and ethical considerations that need to be addressed for these potential changes to be fully realized.


 

Is Stem Cell Therapy right for you? Do your research carefully before deciding to undergo treatment, consult with a qualified doctor or a few. Ensure that Stem Cell Therapy is the right choice for you and that you are getting treatment from a reputable and qualified provider. It's important to understand that not all stem cell therapies are the same, and not all providers are created equal.

For more information please contact:

Strong and Golden Foundation

600 Rosecranse Ave, Suite 101

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

(323) 528-5034 • info@strongandgolden.org

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