Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

Men's Health and AgingWomen's Health and Aging
Written By katherine kass

STEM CELLS EXPLAINED

You might be hearing a lot about stem cells in the news of late. It seems like discoveries of their regenerative properties are being unearthed every day.  So what are “stem cells” exactly? According to the NIH: “Stem cells have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth.”

These miraculous cells can be used to regenerate and repair damaged or diseased tissues and stem cell therapy can help people suffering from many ailments - everything from diabetes to Parkinson's, Alzheimer’s disease to cancer. Considering these wide-reaching applications and healing properties, I believe that stem cells will play a major role in the future of medicine.

HOW DO THEY WORK?

Stem cells mobilize and target damaged tissues, releasing growth factors whose anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and nutritive capacities help heal the afflicted tissue. 

There are a variety of ways to derive stem cells. We all manufacture these cells in our blood and bone marrow, and they can also be harvested from adipose tissue, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, and placental tissue. Once harvested, these cells can then be injected into a patient - whether it’s directly into the heart of someone with heart disease or in a more topical area for cosmetic purposes.

Stem cell therapy can be a highly effective regenerative treatment to address cosmetic concerns that arise as we age. In my own practice, I incorporate stem cell therapy for skin rejuvenation in my Vampire Facial treatments as well as for addressing thinning hair in my hair restoration treatments. 

WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY?

Studies are being conducted across the globe to assess the power of stem cell therapy, with promising news coming out of major institutions. For example, a study on patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who received bone marrow-derived stem cell injections demonstrated “significantly improved pain and function compared with their baseline.” 

I’d be happy to tell you more about stem cell therapy as well as answer any questions you have about the regenerative treatments I offer. Just give the office a call at 425-970-8568 to see if you’re a qualified candidate.

 

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