Although modern medicine is unparalleled in treating acute illnesses and injuries, it is less effective for treating chronic conditions. In fact, many patients treated by various medications and medical procedures never fully recover from the condition, let alone the side effects of those treatments.
Thankfully, integrative and functional medicine is filling some of the gaps in modern medicine and new scientific advances are happening every day. In our view, when patients do their own research and educate themselves on the wide range of treatments and programs available, progress tends to happen much faster. The new knowledge you acquire combined with your unique insights into your own body, provide the feedback and accountability medical and scientific communities need to improve.
Stem cells are no different. When used correctly, stem cell therapies can bring modern medicine to a new level. But patient knowledge and feedback are needed right now as we navigate through the unproven claims that have created a medical wilderness.
The biggest reason we encourage diligent research into any stem cell therapy you are considering is the same reason the FDA has issued a warning to consumers: stem cells are currently not well-regulated. Unfortunately, many clinics and companies have taken advantage of this lack of regulation and the hype surrounding stem cell treatments to flog them off to hopeful patients.
You may have already experienced some of the hype yourself, for example, stem cell therapies are said to regenerate failed organs, cure cancer, diabetes and Parkinson’s, and may even be the highly coveted fountain of youth. While there is reason to believe that stem cells have a lot of potential, don’t believe everything you hear – especially since stem cell therapies are still in the early days of research and development.
Also, take extra care when considering any stem cell treatment for yourself because not all therapies are proven and not every provider is competent. In fact, over 90% of clinics offering stem cell treatments for cardiovascular disease do not employ a cardiologist on staff and over 60% of clinics treating orthopedic injuries with this method do not have an orthopedic surgeon on staff.
This is similar to the risk we talk about when it comes to treating Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS), or any dysregulation of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response for that matter.
The majority of the adult population in the Western world will experience Adrenal Fatigue at least once in their lifetime. This is because the condition is caused by chronic stress, a prevailing theme of modern life. The adrenal glands are the body’s first responders. When you experience any type of stress, the adrenals release the anti-stress hormone, cortisol.
But as stress levels continue to increase, your adrenals have to work overtime and eventually become too weak to produce adequate amounts of cortisol. If this occurs, the rest of your NEM Stress Response must compensate for the deficit, and you may begin to experience symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, mood disturbances, hair loss, loss of libido, heart palpitations, food and drug sensitivities, hypoglycemia, infertility, and lowered immunity.
The adrenal glands are part of the Hormone circuit, which is intimately linked to the five other circuits of the NEM: Bioenergetic, Neuroaffect, Cardionomic, Inflammation, and Detoxification.
Just like stem cell therapies and all other treatment and recovery plans, your Adrenal Fatigue recovery plan will only be successful if you educate yourself, seek expert guidance, and implement what you’ve learned.
Stem cell therapies may be useful for treating AFS in the future, in particular, the advanced stages of AFS when your body enters a catabolic state characterized by a severe decline of important functions. Stimulatory effects and a temporary sense of wellbeing achieved with existing AFS treatments are often limited but if they do occur, are followed by adrenal crashes. And the weaker your body is, the greater the risk of crashes. Thus, more studies and clinical trials must be conducted on the effects of stem cells therapies before they can be deemed effective and safe for treating Adrenal Fatigue.
A stem cell is a non-committed cell but has the ability to differentiate or turn into any other cell type in the body. This is how an embryo develops into a person. The stem cells of the embryo rapidly multiply and then transform into cells that will eventually form the heart, liver, blood, and every other part of the body. A stem cell is defined by two characteristics:
Embryonic cells are totipotent which means they can become any type of cell, without exception, and have been a hot topic since the early 2000s. On the other hand, pluripotent cells such as those found in the umbilical cord, are slightly more limited, as they can turn into different cell types but cannot create an embryo.
In addition, mesenchymal cells are adult stem cells that can only turn into certain types of cells, such as neurons, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac myocytes. Finally, hematopoietic stem cells, found in the blood and bone marrow, can transform into blood vessels and blood cells, such as monocytes, endothelial cells, and neutrophils.
Characteristics of stem cells give them the potential to heal and repair damaged cells, but also carry the risk of triggering cancer formation because, like cancer cells, stem cells have the ability to perpetually divide and self-renew. This is why strong regulation and a lot of careful testing and research are needed to ensure the safety of any new stem cell technologies and treatments before they are used therapeutically.
So far, most testing has only been done in mice, with some interesting results. For example, scientists recently grew stem cells from a younger mouse beside cells of an older mouse, and when these “refreshed” cells were reintroduced back into the older mouse, its immune system was strengthened, the number of natural killer cells (an important type of immune cell) increased, and its natural repair functions were enhanced.
This form of “anti-aging” could turn out to be extremely useful for stimulating the immune system, which tends to decline with age. Further “humanized” mouse studies will hopefully continue to demonstrate the anti-aging functions of stem cells, which may prove useful in the future.
Platelet-rich-plasma or PRP that come from your own blood is a promising therapy. Platelets are separated from the blood using a centrifuge and reinjected back into different areas of the body to treat a particular issue. The treatment is famously used in beauty clinics as a facial, and while not exactly a stem cell therapy, there are some similarities. However, be wary of spending money on this therapy as it is not incredibly effective.
Bone marrow cells, including white blood cells, are pro-inflammatory and bone marrow transplants are typically used to treat blood cancers, with some documented success.
Mechanical stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells are fat cells taken from the patient, mechanically broken down, and reinjected into parts of the body where they are needed. The preparation is not very potent and because the cells are still bound to the extracellular matrix—the structure that surrounds and supports your cells inside the body—the treatments come with a slightly higher risk and cannot be administered intravenously.
The most potent stem cell preparations come from enzymatic digestion of the SVF. Cells are released from the extracellular matrix and are pure enough to be administered intravenously without the risk of a pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack. The process used to create this stem cell preparation must be extremely precise, especially in terms of temperature, since enzymes are affected by heat.
If you have a chronic condition or suffered from an acute condition in the past that has weakened your immune system and you have not been able to fully recover, keep an eye on the developments in stem cell research, which may prove useful in the future. But in the meantime, it’s important to take the necessary steps to get your health back on track.
For example, if you’re suffering from AFS, following the Adrenal Fatigue Diet should be high on your list of priorities to improve your condition. You could also try some different stress reduction techniques, such as adrenal breathing exercises, psychotherapy, joining a support group, spending time in nature, journaling, and meditation. In addition, getting adequate rest so your body has a chance to rest and repair is essential. Taking the right supplements could also be the key to your recovery. Supplements can offer additional support if administered correctly, but we definitely recommend seeking expert guidance before starting any new supplement regime. Try to avoid stimulants that may give you a boost of energy in the short-term but will have a negative impact on your recovery in the long-term.
When you feel strong enough, consider some adrenal yoga, which is extremely gentle and won’t trigger your NEM Stress Response.
More often than not, these steps, combined with a lot of patience, are enough to regain your strength and wellbeing. You may even find you’re stronger than before. And, of course, you can still keep your eyes on the exciting field of stem cells.
© Copyright 2020 Michael Lam, M.D. All Rights Reserved.
You’re probably tired of taking medications and trying different procedures that only improve your condition slightly. And that’s a valid frustration. But before you run to a new clinic offering miraculous results using stem cells, you need to do diligent research – so you don’t lose precious time, money, and health.
