Have you ever wondered about the magic behind your body’s ability to heal and renew itself? The secret lies in your stem cells, the superheroes of human body regeneration. These are the basic building blocks of life, capable of morphing into any tissue – be it heart, muscle, cartilage, bone, or even liver.
Picture a newborn. They’re brimming with circulating stem cells needed for their rapid growth and to bounce back swiftly from infections or injuries. But as we age, the story changes. The number of circulating stem cells dwindles year by year, making healing and recovery a more challenging game. In this article you’re going to learn 9 ways to increase stem cells naturally.
Stem Cells can Treat Disease
Over the past half-century, the use of Cord Tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells and peripheral blood stem cells has gained popularity. They offer a lifeline to patients grappling with diseases that didn’t respond to traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Nowadays, stem cells are hailed for successfully treating conditions like liver cirrhosis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, myocardium tissue scarring post-heart attack, and even MND, ALS, and COPD.
These lab-purified MSCs+ stem cells are heroes in the medical world. Armed with unique growth factors, they help kick-start paracrine signalling, a fancy term for guiding cells to damaged organs. Once there, they roll up their sleeves and start the regeneration process to restore proper function. It’s like having your own repair squad within your body!
Natural Ways to Increase Stem Cells
But what if you’re already in good health and keen on harnessing stem cells as preventative medicine? Or maybe the idea of a stem cell transplant just isn’t your cup of tea? The good news is, while not as potent, you can still give your health and circulating stem cell count a natural boost using endogenous stem cells. There are six simple ways to increase your stem cell count naturally. So, stay tuned!
- A Healthy Diet Can Boost Stem Cells
Believe it or not, your daily meals play a starring role in our body’s astonishing cycle of natural renewal. Think of including stem cell-friendly foods in your menu as a brilliant first step to powering up cell growth naturally.
But there’s more! Intermittent fasting, the surprise element, doubles as a stem cell stimulator, proven to spark a whirlwind of rapid cellular regeneration. Did you also know you can simply power your body’s regenerative capabilities by eating berries? Berries like blackberries, goji berries, pomegranate, blueberries, and raspberries are bursting with superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant superhero. SOD is packed with flavonoids that combat inflammation – it’s your ticket to optimal liver health and a secret weapon against joint pain.
- Ginger Root
This Asian cuisine staple doesn’t just add a kick to your dishes; it’s also a warrior against systemic inflammation. Here’s how it works: ginger inhibits the effects of a fatty acid called arachidonic acid, which is known for triggering inflammatory responses.
- Cruciferous Vegetables, Mushrooms, Seeds, and Nuts
Don’t forget the mighty cruciferous vegetables – think cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cabbage, bok choy, garden cress, and Brussels sprouts. These green giants are rich in the compound sulforaphane, which boosts liver enzymes to counteract harmful toxins. They’re also loaded with Indole-3-carbinol molecules, which aids in lowering inflammatory substances in the bloodstream.
Now let’s shine a light on mushrooms, particularly maitake and shiitake. They’re rich in micronutrients known as polyphenols, the trusty allies of stem cells that protect and detoxify liver cells.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. Seeds and nuts, your go-to snacks, are teeming with protein and beneficial fats. They’ll keep you full for longer and fight off those pesky cravings. Seeds contain anti-inflammatory plant sterols, while nuts pack a punch with alpha-linolenic acid, a type of inflammation-busting omega-3 fatty acid.
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids
And finally, consider adding seafood and fatty fish to your menu. They’re natural adult stem cell activators thanks to their omega-3 fatty acids, including Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In cold-water fatty fish, the EPA has been proven to lower the risk of developing heart disease. If you’re a vegan, you could turn to the best plant sources of omega 3’s which are hemp seeds, flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, canola oil, soyabean oil and kidney beans.
- Avoid Alcohol and Smoking.
Imagine yourself sitting with a glass of alcohol in one hand, a cigarette in the other and thinking about maximizing your physical potential. Well, here’s a not-so-secret tip: put them both down. You see, smoking and frequent consumption of alcohol can be like kryptonite for your stem cells. They can severely hamper their function and healing power. So, if you’re keen to boost your body’s regenerative capabilities, it’s time to embrace moderation in drinking and say a firm goodbye to smoking.
- Exercise.
Now, let’s shift gears and talk about something that can do wonders for your stem cells: exercise. An active lifestyle sprinkled with regular workouts or sports can make your stem cells thrive. The benefits are plenty – it’s great for your cardiovascular and respiratory systems and rapidly boosts the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in your body.
What’s so special about these EPCs? They zip around in your bloodstream and attach themselves to areas affected by ischemia or hypoxia, helping to form new blood vessels and capillaries. This not only improves your heart’s blood supply but also triggers regenerative processes in your heart muscle. It’s a bit like having your own health renovation crew on standby!
- Get Enough Sleep.
Catching those regular 7-8 hours of ZZ’s isn’t just about feeling fresh and rejuvenated. Lack of sleep can actually be detrimental to stem cell function. If you reduce your nightly snooze to just 4 hours, your stem cells’ ability to migrate can decrease by nearly 50%. But good sleep habits can work like a stem cell elixir, renewing their quantitative and qualitative indices. So, tuck in, sleep tight, and let your body do its natural healing work. Remember, a well-rested you is a healthier you!
- Avoid Harmful and Toxic Chemical Products.
Every day, we get bombarded by potentially thousands of harmful chemicals. Whether it’s through the air we breathe, the food we eat, or the personal products we use, we’re often under a toxic siege. While these chemical quantities might be low, they tend to build up over time, wreaking havoc with our body’s ability to maintain proper health and autoimmune responses. These chemicals can disrupt cellular pathways crucial for your immune system, hormone production, cancer formation, and nervous system function.
You can make informed decisions about the products you buy and consume. So, the next time you’re out shopping, spare a moment to read the labels on your personal care products. Sunscreens, cleaning products, laundry essentials, teeth, and hair care items – give them a once-over. Your body will thank you for it!
- Don’t Consume Medications That May Harm You.
Let’s move on to medications, specifically over-the-counter and prescription ones. Some of these drugs can hinder your circulating stem cells’ ability to multiply. For instance, antibiotics like quinolone, commonly used in Cipro and Levaquin, can harm your circulating stem cells and the cells in your cartilage and tendons.
These potent antibiotics are often prescribed for urinary and respiratory tract infections but carry side effects like orthopaedic hip injuries and knee tendon ruptures. Certain other medications can damage stem cells in ligaments, leading to the weakening or failure of these tendons. Over time, this can result in ruptures, degenerative disc disease, or chronic tendinopathy.
Furthermore, over-the-counter Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can also raise risks of autoimmune disease, kidney failure, neuropathy, gastrointestinal issues, or even brain strokes. Instead of these synthetic NSAIDs, why not try natural anti-inflammatories like Turmeric Curcumin or Fish Oil, which don’t carry such adverse side effects?
The world of stem cell science is rapidly advancing at a thrilling pace. But here’s the key takeaway: your stem cell procedures will only be effective in the long run if your stem cells are healthy. So, focus on these natural ways to increase stem cells, and you’ll optimize your health or achieve the best possible results from any upcoming therapy.