Preventive Aging and Regenerative Medicine
Over the past five years, Preventive Aging and Regenerative Medicine have been benefiting from research and new technology. Procedures that once seemed like science fiction are now every-day realities, thanks to recent medical advances.
As the medical field continues its research on stem cells and the vital role they play maintaining and repairing organs, advances are being made to use procedures like apheresis to fix and heal internal lesions, and regenerate new tissues and organs.
What is apheresis?
Apheresis is the medical procedure in which blood is passed through an apparatus that separates a particular constituent and returns the rest to circulation. This procedure offers the body a chance to heal by collecting blood stem cells and re-injecting them in large amounts over a short period of time directly in to the body.
Stem Cells, Preventive Aging and Regenerative Medicine
When we’re young, our body produces stem cells that heal internal lesions in their early stages and regenerates injured tissues and organs. As we age, the “stress” that we put on our body accumulates and our ability to defend and heal our body lessens. After the age of 40, production of certain hormones that are essential for stem cell multiplication and growth decreases.
Anti-aging and Regenerative Medicine are becoming recognized as standard approaches to disease and illness prevention. Regenerative Medicine speeds up natural healing processes to work faster, re-grow missing or damaged tissues, and help heal injuries that cannot heal on their own.
Studies on animals have already demonstrated the potential for human stem cells to help repair numerous tissue lesions including:
• Bone fractures,
• Skin burns
• Eye diseases
• Heart damage
• Neurological diseases,
• Autoimmune diseases
• Many other medical conditions
Procedure
The entire process takes five to eight days and includes stem cell collection and re-injection. The treatment includes a comprehensive detoxification and nutrition support program. Procedures are followed up with lifestyle, health and nutritional guidance recommendations, making the rejuvenating/regenerating effects last longer.
Phase One – Mobilization of the stem cells
Stem cells are found in bone marrow and the peripheral blood (called PBSCs: Peripheral Blood Stem Cells). Due to the small number of stem cells produced in our blood, they need to be mobilized from the bone marrow prior to being collected. This is accomplished by injecting growth factors several days in a row. Blood tests are performed regularly to decide when the collection of stem cells will begin.
Phase Two – Stem Cell Collection
A catheter is placed in a peripheral vein (usually at the elbow) and two tubes are connected to the apheresis machine. As the blood travels through the machine, stem cells are separated from the other blood cells and collected in a separate bag. The remaining blood is circulated back to the patient. The entire procedure only takes a few hours.
Phase Three – Re-injection of the stem cells
At the end of apheresis, the processed PBSCs are injected back into the vein. The high dose of stem cells injected in a short period of time initiates the repairing process known as engraftment. Visible results are normally observed after one to three weeks and most individuals feel more energetic and report that they sleep better. Significant repairing of damaged organs and tissues usually takes place in about two months. The peak effect is often attained in six months after the initial process.
Safety and side effects of procedure
Apheresis is painless and causes few side effects. However, it is possible to experience mild symptoms that usually stop after the injections. Calcium is often given to prevent some of these conditions.
• Mild bone pain
• Slight redness at injection site
• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Chills
• Numbness around lips
• Cramping in hands