Stem cells are cells that have the potential of development into various types of mature tissue cells for the purpose of tissue regeneration. Stem cells, called “progenitor cells”, exist naturally in many adult organs and have potential for use in disease treatment. Most research has been focused on transplantation of stem cells from another organism; and very little research has been done on how to improve the effectiveness of natural human stem cells.
We do know there are natural chemicals, called cytokines, in animals to renew stem cells and move them along to development to replace cells, such as white blood cells and red blood cells.
Folate, vitamin B-12 and iron function in the development of stem cells into mature red blood cells. Recently, it was found that oleic acid (omega-9 fatty acid) and linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid) are important for stem cell maturation into well developed blood cells.
Vitamin D-3 stimulates the simple stem cells to mature into the differentiated cells of the immune system.
Carnosine is a chemical found in muscle that can rejuvenate cell lines and extend cell life span.
High antioxidant foods such as blueberries can reverse the cellular decline, which is usually seen with aging. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) also provides protection of cells against the natural decline of aging.
In this study the authors adding blueberry powder, green tea extract, catechins (a chemical in green tea,) carnosine and vitamin D-3 to cultures of human stem cells from bone marrow to see if the growth of stem cells was stimulated. A number of other nutrients were studied which did not show significant stem cell stimulation. The following is a listing of the percents of stimulation of growth of stem cells by various combinations:
35%-blueberry.
27%-carnosine.
15%-vitamin D-3.
36%-green tea.
62%-blueberry and vitamin D.
70%-blueberry and catechins.
83%-blueberry and carnosine.
56%-blueberry and green tea.
72%-blueberry, vitamin D-3 and green tea.
70%-blueberry, vitamin D-3, green tea and carnosine.
The authors report studies of the effect of natural compounds on the growth of stem cells in bone marrow. The studies were done in the laboratory and need to be confirmed in clinical studies in human patients.
CONCLUSION: Nutritional supplements can be used to promote the growth of human stem cells into mature cells in various organs and tissues of the body. The supplements work individually and work even better when used in combinations. The goal is to promote healing and tissue regeneration. A combination of blueberry extract and carnosine was especially effective in stimulating stem cells.
To read the author’s abstract of the article click on the link to the author’s title of the article above.
PMID: 16522169.
Summary #088.
