by Stemedix | Feb 20, 2023 | Autoimmune
Autoimmune diseases are inflammatory diseases that can also be connected to chronic conditions like dementia, depression, diabetes, and heart disease. Usually, autoimmune diseases come with symptoms of inflammation, which conventional clinical methods treat through anti-inflammatory medications. The problem is that anti-inflammatory medications do not address the underlying causes of inflammation. There could be hidden infections, allergens, or environmental toxins playing a role in an individual’s autoimmune disease. Here are some ways to treat autoimmune disease naturally, without anti-inflammatory medications.
Check for Hidden Infections
Hidden infections, such as yeast, bacteria, and Lyme, contribute to inflammation in the body. By consulting with your doctor, you can not only check for hidden infections but also treat them. If no infections are discovered, it may be time to look into other potential causes.
Try a comprehensive test from Genova Diagnostics. These you can do at home and have a professional review and make helpful recommendations.
Check for Hidden Food Allergens
The way food is farmed and manufactured today is completely different from how it used to be. Foods today have been modified, treated with pesticides, and imported from all over the world.
Because of the global supply chain, we have access to many foods our ancestors never heard of. Because of this, food allergens are more popular than ever as people are consuming foods that weren’t introduced to their bloodline until recently.
You can visit your doctor to receive a food allergen test and get a full list of foods that prompt an inflammatory reaction in your body. The results don’t mean you have to cut out these foods permanently; instead, you may just need to limit your intake so you can feel better.
Try Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine is an excellent way to help manage autoimmune disease since it focuses on treating the underlying causes of symptoms rather than just the symptoms themselves.
Regenerative medicine has shown to be beneficial in managing symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as:
Regenerative medicine works by using stem cells to help repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation in order to produce improve outcomes.
Want to Heal Autoimmune Disease? Focus on a Healthier You
The main way to treat autoimmune disease naturally is to focus on a healthier version of yourself. Eat foods that are actually good for your body based on tests to see what you can and cannot tolerate. Check for any hidden infections and move your body regularly. Finally, consider regenerative medicine treatment to increase the amount of healthy tissue in your body. To learn more about treatment options for autoimmune disease, contact a care coordinator today at Stemedix!
by admin | Feb 15, 2023 | Spinal Cord Injury, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in damage to the spinal cord or the nerves found within the spinal column. Currently estimated to affect over 17,000 new patients each year in the United States, with 81% of these patients being male, the most common causes of SCIs are motor vehicle accidents, falls, acts of violence, and sports/recreational activities.
Current SCI treatment methods are unable to support the regeneration of the spinal cord and often lead to permanent nerve damage that affects motor and sensory function. The nature of SCI injuries often leaves patients unable to function at pre-injury levels and results in significant impacts on issues related to physical, mental, and socioeconomic health.
As more is learned about the potential benefits of regenerative medicine in the regeneration and repair of damaged cells and tissue, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as potential candidates for the therapy management of SCIs; primarily because of their ability to release bioactive factors, their antiapoptotic effects, ability to inhibit scaring, and their ability to produce angiogenic effects.
Fracaro et al.’s review provides information about the damage from primary and secondary events after SCI, traditional treatments, and results of pre-clinical and clinical trials examining the use of MSCs as an SCI-tissue regeneration strategy.
Before sustaining an SCI, a wide range of inflammatory cells – all except for microglia – are found in blood vessels and throughout the spinal cord. Upon injury, it is common to observe immediate neuronal and glial death at the site of the injury followed by the development of an inflammatory process in the vascular and medullary region; it is this secondary response that results in the deterioration of the spinal cord and a general worsening of the condition. In the weeks and months following injury, remaining neutrophils and lymphocytes are found in the intravascular region, inactivated microglia remain in white matter, and macrophages are found in gray matter.
Traditional SCI treatments have demonstrated an inability to completely regenerate nervous tissue. Most of these traditional treatment methods attempt to reduce side effects and protect injured nerve tissue. Commonly used SCI treatments frequently include decompression surgery to relieve pressure and reduce hypoxia and ischemia; intravenous application of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) to inhibit lipid peroxidation; neuroprotective agents to reduce cell dysfunction and death; and electrostimulation as a way to inhibit inflammation and reduce secondary injuries.
Despite the different techniques mentioned above, cell-based therapy is the only promising treatment aimed at regeneration. Stromal cells, and specifically MSCs, have demonstrated the potential for self-regeneration, differentiation, and immunomodulation. Although research has yet to determine exactly how MSCs promote functional recovery after SCI, they are widely thought to work through secreting different factors and biomolecules. MSCs have also demonstrated the ability to reduce inflammation, which is a very common secondary event occurring after SCI trauma.
The authors conclude this review by pointing out that a better understanding of the regenerative effects of stromal cells in the nervous system is required in order for the future development of cell-based therapies for patients with SCI.
Source: “Mesenchymal stromal cells as a choice for spinal cord injury treatment.” https://www.oaepublish.com/neurosciences/article/view/3329.
by Stemedix | Feb 13, 2023 | Neurodegenerative Diseases, Regenerative Medicine
While all injuries should be treated and properly resolved, there are certain injuries that can have more serious prognoses than others. Neurologic injuries are one of the more significant types of injuries someone can sustain. Injuries to the brain or spinal cord can result in various debilitating symptoms. Here we will learn more about Regenerative Medicine for Neurologic Injury.
In the past, a neurologic injury came with a dire prognosis. There were few treatment options, and many patients were left with symptoms like an inability to speak or paralysis.
Fortunately, advancements in medicine have led to an array of new treatment approaches to neurologic injuries. One way to address these types of injuries is through regenerative medicine. Learn more about how regenerative medicine can treat neurologic injuries below.
What is Regenerative Medicine?
Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, involves stem cells that are the undifferentiated cells of a multicellular organism. These cells have the capability to produce and regenerate new cells of the same type. For this reason, stem cells can be potentially beneficial when managing numerous conditions.
Stem cells have the properties to help repair damaged cells or replace them with new, healthy ones. This has made stem cell therapy a potential approach when managing neurologic injuries.
Treating Neurologic Injury with Stem Cells
Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells can be used to manage injuries to the brain and spine. One of these studies was discussed at length at the 2022 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
A study by STEMTRA examined the efficacy of stem cells when treating patients with a TBI, or traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries occur when there is severe damage to brain tissue, resulting in the death of the tissue.
This scenario can lead to a number of symptoms, including the following:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Loss of fine motor skills
- Difficulty speaking
- Impaired gait
- Paralysis
The study found that ongoing stem cell therapy helped a portion of these patients improve motor function and return to normal functional capabilities. Dexterity, gait speed, and even sensory reactions were improved with this stem cell treatment.
While studies are ongoing, stem cells are more often regarded as a potential treatment option for neurologic injuries. There is still research to be done to confirm how effective this type of regenerative medicine is for patients with grave injuries like TBI.
If you are interested in learning more about Regenerative Medicine for Neurologic Injury, you can inquire with a neurologist or regenerative medicine specialist at Stemedix for more information.
by admin | Feb 8, 2023 | Health Awareness
Over time, your body produces fewer proteins, and minerals begin to leach out of your bones. As a result, bones become less resilient and robust, leading to more fractures and injuries.
Supplementing your diet with critical vitamins and minerals to support your bones and joints can offer long-term benefits for your mobility and overall health. Several essential vitamins and minerals directly impact your musculoskeletal system, and adding them to your diet can prevent conditions like osteoporosis.
Calcium
Calcium is among the most critical minerals for maintaining bone health. Calcium reduces bone loss and can decrease the risk of fracturing your vertebrae in a fall. Calcium is prevalent in milk and dairy products and green leafy vegetables. Additionally, many cereals and juices are calcium-fortified.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium effectively, making it essential for the health of your bones and muscles. The best way to add vitamin D to your body is through exposure to sunlight. However, you can also boost your vitamin D by consuming fish, fortified milk, and supplements.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is critical for bone healing and development. It also helps the body produce collagen, a protein fundamental to bone mineralization. You can consume vitamin C through fruits and vegetables like oranges, berries, tomatoes, and broccoli. It’s also well-absorbed through supplements.
Magnesium
The essential mineral magnesium helps regulate muscle and nerve function and supports the body’s production of protein, bone cells, and DNA. Higher intakes of magnesium are associated with higher bone density, reducing the occurrence of osteoporosis.
You can add more magnesium to your diet by consuming nuts, beans, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and fortified foods or supplements.
Prioritizing consuming and supplementing with critical nutrients to support the health of your bones and joints can keep you functioning at your best for years to come.
by Stemedix | Feb 6, 2023 | Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 500,000 Americans have a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Receiving this diagnosis can leave you unsure of what to expect or what steps to take. Learn more about what to expect when you’re newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Communication Is Vital
It is crucial to communicate with loved ones about your diagnosis. Express your worries and fears and allow them to offer their help.
You also need to communicate openly with your doctor. Ask them all of the questions you may have about the condition and about the expected progression of the symptoms.
Ask for Help
Dealing with Parkinson’s disease will require that you have some help. Help can mean different things to different people. How far along the disease is and what kind of symptoms you struggle with will all impact the degree of help you will need after a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Take Time to Adjust
After this kind of diagnosis, it can take some time to come to terms with the reality of the disease. Take that time. Slowly begin to research the symptoms without overwhelming yourself with statistics or worst-case scenarios.
Boost Your Activity Levels
From the moment you receive your diagnosis, begin boosting your activity levels. Physical exercise and therapy can all help counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but you do not want to wait for the symptoms to get worse to begin.
Getting active can help you remain active for longer as the condition progresses. Some excellent options include:
If you want something a bit different, you can also opt for yoga or dance classes.
Start Tracking Your Symptoms
Your doctor may recommend that you begin tracking your symptoms, especially as you begin new medications or treatment options. Pay attention to how you feel at different times of the day, after certain activities, diet, and after taking your medications. All of this can help you better understand the condition and offer valuable information for your doctor.
You can track your symptoms in a chart, a notebook, a computer program, or any other way you prefer.
A Diagnosis Is Just the Start
Receiving a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis can finally give you an explanation for the symptoms you have experienced. It is a daunting diagnosis to face, but the right support system and medical guidance can help you navigate all of the changes in your life. To learn more about your options after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, contact us today at Stemedix!
St. Petersburg, Florida
