Stem Cell Nutrition #4 Adult Stem Cells... details and FAQs

Stem Cell Nutrition #4
Adult Stem Cells...

details and FAQs

Aloha and Pura Vida

This is letter 4 in a series on adult stem cells and your health.

In this letter, several different recent studies using stem cells are quoted; this will help bring a real sense of how important stem cells are to our health in general, and especially in preventing premature aging and aging diseases.

Plus, you get a chance to see how simple; easy; and LOW COST our product is, compared to the other adult stem cell therapies in use today!

MISCELLANEOUS STEM CELL FACTS AND SOURCES

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a small study, a treatment that included stem cell 20 transplantation induced prolonged insulin independence in patients with newly diagnosed type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes.

In a statement, lead author Dr. Julio C. Voltarelli, from the Regional Blood Center in Ribeiro Preto, Brazil, called the results "very encouraging."

While the same approach has been used in other autoimmune disorders, the current study, to the author's knowledge, represents the first time the approach has been used in human type 1 diabetes.

In type 1 diabetes, a person's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Preserving beta cells is a key concept in the management of type 1 diabetes and in the prevention of its related complications.

Voltarelli's team tested the ability of high-dose immune suppression and stem cell transplantation to preserve beta cell function in 15 patients who were diagnosed with type I diabetes in the previous 6 weeks. All of them required insulin.

Stem cell transplantation involves the harvesting and treatment of a patient's own stem cells and then returning them to the patient via intravenous injection.

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During follow up, 14 patients became insulin-free -- 1 for 35 months, 4 for at least 12 months, and 7 patients for at least 6 months. Two "late responders" were insulin-free for 1 and 5 months, respectively.

While further study is needed, Dr. Jay S. Skyler, from the University of Miami, comments in a related editorial, "the time may indeed be coming for starting to reverse and prevent type I diabetes."

Journal of the American Medical Association, April 11, 2007.

Living Forever?

There is potential for humans to mimic the biologically immortal hydra, by exploiting our stem cells in the regeneration of organs damaged by age-related diseases. The=2 ability of adult stem cells, which remain in the body throughout life, to regenerate heart muscle cells has already been demonstrated in mice. Organs regenerated this way would in effect be brand new, and "younger" than all the other tissues and organs. Such regeneration might not immediately boost life's span, but should greatly improve its quality in old age.

Stem cells may fix brain

Research in mice suggests that neural stem cells may be more effective in repairing damaged brain tissue than previously believed, a finding that could lead to new treatments for stroke and other brain trauma in humans.
University of California, San Francisco researchers found that neural stem cells from the brain's subventricular zone quickly repaired damaged cerebral tissue in newborn mice, Agence France Presse reported.

Reverse your age

How far back can the clock go for stem cell patients? Ideally five to 10 years. And if, as Dr. Maffetone says in his book In Fitness and In Health, people improve the quality of their lives through healthy choices, the average human life expectancy can reach 120.

While most people want to age gracefully, others wish to improve the quality of their lives despite a health challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions about StemPlex

Who can use StemPlex?
The product is suitable for anyone who wants to support his or her body's natural renewal system.

Who should not use StemPlex?
There are no indications for anyone not to use Ste mPlex, but if you have a medical condition or are taking any prescription medication, we recommend that you consult with your health care professional.

Does StemPlex need to be taken with food or can it be taken by itself?
StemPlex can be taken with or without food. Taking StemPlex with food may slightly increase the absorption of fat-soluble substances like vitamin D.

Should you take both capsules of StemPlex at the same time?
It is best to take both capsules at 20 the same time. StemPlex is formulated to match the concentration that was used in the research.

Is there any advantage to taking more than the recommended amount of two capsules of StemPlex per day?
We have no data b eyond the recommended amount of two capsules of StemPlex per day. We have no reason to 20 believe that there is further benefit from taking more than two capsules per day. Since toxicity can occur from consuming large amounts of vitamin D, we don't recommend taking more than four capsules per day.

Is there caffeine in the green tea extract?
The green tea extract contains very little caffeine. In the final formula, the amount of caffeine is less than 2 mg per serving, or less than two-tenths of one percent. (As a comparison, an 8-oz cup of coffee contains 60 to 150 mg.)

What form of vitamin D is used in StemPlex?
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is the form of vitamin D used in this product. It is obtained from lanolin, an oil that is pressed from wool.

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What is the source of carno sine?
Carnosine is derived from a microbial fermentation process - similar to how fungal enzymes are produced. Carnosine is sometimes derived from feathers or hair, but after carefully researching this matter with our vendor, we determined that the carnosine we use is not derived from an animal source. It is derived from a microbial fermentation process.

Is the Aphan izomenon flos-aquae in StemPlex the same as that in a competitive product, StemEnhance?
StemPlex contains whole Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and other nutrients that have been shown to increase the proliferation of stem cells. StemEnhance is reported to contain two extracts of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.

Does supplementing the use of StemPlex with enzymes help StemPlex become more available?
Although it is perfectly fine to take this product all by itself , it is true that using it in conjunction with enzymes will assist in the digestion and availability of the ingredients in StemPlex.

Does StemPlex stop working after a period of use?
Animal testing data suggests that the product works for continued periods of time, priming the stem cells to be ready when needed by the body.

More Frequently Asked Questions

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What evidence shows that StemPlex is safe for long-term use?
StemPlex is a combination of several natural ingredients (blueberries, green tea, vitamin D, Super Blue Green® Algae, and carnosine, a naturally-occurring amino acid) that have been consumed by humans for decades or, in the case of blueberries and green tea, hundreds of years without adverse effects.

Do the ingredients in StemPlex increase cell proliferation?
The combination of natural ingredients in StemPlex increase stem cell proliferation in a safe and efficient manner. However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition you should always consult with a health care professional prior to taking this or any other dietary supplement.

Does the body produce only a limited number of stem cells per day while on the product?
The body naturally produces a certain "limited" amount of stem cells per day. For consumers of this product, researchers predict that more stem cells will be available in the bone marrow and other parts of the body.*

What clinical evidence shows that taking StemPlex will promote good health?
We are planning human studies, and results of animal studies t hat have been done will be available as soon as that data can be released. The results of in vitro studies have been published and the report is available from Simplexity.

What is the lay interpretation of Dr. Bickford's scientific article?
Dr. Bickford's article reports the effect of the ingredients in the StemPlex formula on the proliferation (growth) of stem cells. Three types of adult stem cells were tested and were shown to increase the proliferation by as much as 70% in vitro. The research article is available for purchase from Simplexity.

Since the testing was done in vitro, =2 0 will the product have any effect in the body (in vivo)?
The data presented is published in peer reviewed scientific literature. To date the only published literature on StemPlex shows data on human stem cells in culture (in vitro). Research is continuing on this formulation to show the effect in the body (in vivo). The results of ongoing animal studies indicate positive effects in vivo. The animal studies will be available as soon as that data can be20released.

How does StemPlex interact with our DNA?
There is no data to suggest that the ingredients in StemPlex interact with DNA.

The study estimated the number of stem cells =2 0 by a process which measures mitochondrial activity. Is this a good measure of stem cell count?
Studies have shown that the MTT assay accurately reflects the number of stem cells in the culture and this is the reason that this assay was chosen by the scientists who did the research.

StemPlex(T) by Simplexity

The Product

StemPlex is an all-natural stem cell proliferation product supported by an original research paper. StemPlex was formulated by leading university researchers who are world-class stem cell scientists. Their work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Administration, and other government sources.

Dr. Bickford and her colleagues demonstrated the proliferation effect of the ingredients included in the StemPlex formula on three types of adult stem cells in vitro.

The Research

The research showed that the combination of ingredients in StemPlex:

• Increased the proliferation of bone marrow cells by an average of 70%

StemPlex enhances cellular health in two ways:

1. It provides stem cell nutrition, as demonstrated in the proliferation effect.

2. Via its antioxidant capacity, the
formula protects existing stem
cells from the harmful effects of
free radicals; this is especially
important because during the
natural aging process, adult
stem cells are known to have
a reduced regenerative capacity.

The Results

This formula exhibits a synergistic effect, which means that the increase in number of new stem cells, from use of the formula, is greater than the increase that occurs through use of the ingredients individually. These ingredients are individually important in maintaining a healthy life style, but it is the unique and effective proprietary blend that supports your body's natural renewal system.

The research paper on this special product has been published in a peer-reviewed journal. This report is available for those who want the detailed technical information that supports this product's beneficial effects.

Even now, more research on this formula is in place, including human trials. The company is funding a three-year research program, and other stem cell-related products are in development.

The Ingredients

StemPlex's patent-pending formula contains six natural ingredients: a green tea extract, wild blueberry, carnosine, blueberry extract, vitamin D, and SBGA.

• Wild blueberry supports the health of the brain, heart, urinary tract, and eyes, as well as the proliferation of stem cells.
  
• Carnosine is an antioxidant amino acid naturally present in the human body that enhances the proliferation of stem cells and helps to protect against free radical damage. Carnosine may also delay the natural aging of cells and extend the lifespan of adult stem cells. The source of this Carnosine is 100% vegan!
  
• Blueberry extract enhances the proliferation of stem cells within the body, and promotes maintenance of healthy brain, cardiovascular, vision, 20 joint, and urinary tract function and normal glucose levels.
  
• Vitamin D3 supports adult stem cell renewal and helps these cells become immune cells for naturally fighting infections. The source is animal-friendly.
  
• Organic Super Blue Green® Algae is a freshwater algae, rich in protein, essential fatty acids, chlorophyll, beta-carotene, phycocyanin, phenylethylamine, vitamins, and minerals. It has a high antioxidant value, and has been shown to support the immune system.

Summary

• StemPlex is a natural product shown to increase stem cell proliferation by as much as 70%. Developed by reputable, leading stem cell scientists, StemPlex is supported by thei r original research report.
  
• Simplexity employs a first-rate Quality Assurance Program, and manufactures science-based, high-quality products

"How do you get world peace. You get world peace through inner peace.
If you've got a world full of people who have inner peace,
then you have a peaceful world." Dr. Wayne Dyer

"The doctor of the future will give no medication, but will
interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet,
and in the cause and prevention of disease."
—Thomas Alva Edison: Was an inventor and businessman

Stem Cells Run Through Stop Signs

Now scientists at Northwestern University and the University of Washington offer one of the first clues as to why stem cells ignore stop signs in the cell cycle: a special molecular mechanism has cut the brakes. The researchers found that tiny bits of genetic material called microRNAs are necessary for stem cell division to take place, suggesting that microRNAs shut off the signals that stop cell division in most other cells.

The findings were published online this week by the journal Nature. In the paper, the researchers also speculate that microRNAs may play a similar role in cancer cells, encouraging their proliferation. This speculation is supported by three other new papers published this week in Nature linking microRNAs to cancer.

According to authors Richard Carthew, Owen L. Coon Professor of Molecular Biology at Northwestern University, and Hannele Ruohola-Baker, professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington, microRNAs can regulate gene expression and give stem cells a green light to pass from the normal stop phase to the stage in which they begin replicating their DNA for later division.

In their work, Carthew and Ruohola-Baker focused on fruit flies, which have approximately 80 types of microRNAs. They genetically modified stem cells from the fruit flies' ovaries and studied how many egg chambers the mutant stem cells produced as compared to normal stem cells. The production rate in the mutant cells fell over the course of 12 days, and the researchers concluded it was because the mutant stem cells were no longer dividing.

Without the microRNAs at work, the brakes were applied to the cell division of the mutant stem cells, just like ordinary cells. The cellular brake (in this case a protein called Dacapo, a fruit fly homologue of a human tumor suppressor) kept the stem cells from proliferating.

"Determining which of the 80 microRNAs is responsible for deactivating the stop signal is the next step of our research," said Ruohola-Baker.

"The list of chores that microRNAs do within cells keeps growing in new and surprising ways," added Carthew. "This latest discovery with stem cell division makes us wonder if microRNAs also control division of other types of cells such as cancer cells."

Other authors on the Nature paper are Kenji Nakahara of Northwestern University and Karin Fischer, Steve Hatfield and Halyna Shcherbata of the University of Washington.

###

Adapted from materials provided by Northwestern University, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

stem cell and regenerative medicine center

"What we hope to do is provide a bridge for all researchers on campus involved in stem cell research," says Clive Svendsen, a UW-Madison neuroscientist and a noted stem cell authority. The new center will be co-directed by Svendsen and cardiologist and stem cell researcher Timothy Kamp, and will operate under the joint auspices of the Graduate School and the School of Medicine and Public Health.

"We're going to cover all of stem cell biology and regenerative processes," Svendsen says, keeping a broad focus on stem cells ranging from embryos and adult tissues to cancer stem cells.

The new center will encompass existing programs in regenerative medicine and an interdisciplinary stem cell post-doctoral training program, and will serve as a focal point for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, an emerging multidisciplinary field that seeks to develop technologies to repair or replace diseased or defective tissues or organs.

Kamp and Svendsen estimate that as many as 50 UW-Madison faculty are engaged to varying degrees in stem cell research and regenerative medicine. In addition to the much-publicized work with human cells on the UW-Madison campus, scientists whose work could be supported by the new center include basic scientists who study stem cells and development in other animals ranging from non-human primates to nematodes, a roundworm widely used in biomedical research.

The new center, Kamp says, will serve as a focal point for research by helping to develop core facilities, a seed grant program, funding for post-doctoral fellows and educational and outreach programs. To begin with, the center will be a virtual one, with no building but with the administrative and support capacity to effectively fuel key areas of research and education.

This is especially important, the researchers note, as key campus projects such as the Interdisciplinary Research Center and the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery evolve.

"We see strong links between the various programs through collaborations and funding programs," Kamp explains. "Given the wide interest in stem cells and regenerative medicine, the interdisciplinary and translational nature of the work, and the pre-eminence of Wisconsin in this area of biology, we feel this is both timely and crucial for Wisconsin to maintain its leadership."

Both Kamp and Svendsen say the new center will be critical to the university's ability to maintain and strengthen its programs. It will, for example, be an asset in helping to attract the best faculty and students to Wisconsin.

"Another emphasis of the center will be on recruitment and retention," Svendsen says. "It is important to show UW-Madison has leadership and focus in this area," especially as competition from other states and from Europe and Asia becomes more intense.

The center will also serve as a focal point for fund-raising, advocacy and outreach, the researchers note.

"Part of our motivation is to build community," according to Kamp. "We want to bring people together to empower the basic research and the clinical applications any way we can."

Stem Cells in The Spotlight

Important links from the Genetic Science Learning Center

at the University of Utah

Stem Cells in The Spotlight

What is a Stem Cell?

An introduction to stem cells, the building blocks of the body.

What are Some Different Types of Stem Cells?

Find out how the body uses stem cells to grow and develop.

What is the Goal of Stem Cell Research?

Why are researchers so interested in these cells, anyway? An introduction to the study of stem cells.

Stem Cell Therapies: What is the Recipe for Success?

How do researchers design and test a stem cell therapy? A step-by-step examination of a treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

Stem Cell Therapies Today

Learn about established stem cell therapies currently in use.

Stem Cell Therapies in the Future

Consider the potential for new stem cell therapies, as well as the challenges facing researchers working to develop them.

Creating Stem Cells for Research

See how stem cells are cultured in the lab to create experimental models.

What are Some Issues in Stem Cell Research?

Consider some important questions in the debate over new stem cell technologies.

Additional Resources

Links to current news about stem cell research and regulation, along with in-depth information about other topics covered in this module.

article review -- What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cell research has been hailed for the potential to revolutionize the future of medicine with the ability to regenerate damaged and diseased organs. On the other hand, stem cell research has been highly controversial due to the ethical issues concerned with the culture and use of stem cells derived from human embryos. This article presents an overview of what stem cells are, what roles they play in normal processes such as development and cancer, and how stem cells could have the potential to treat incurable diseases. Ethical issues are not the subject of this review.¹

In addition to offering unprecedented hope in treating many debilitating diseases, stem cells have advanced our understanding of basic biological processes. This review looks at two major aspects of stem cells:

I. Three processes in which stem cells play a central role in an organism, development, repair of damaged tissue, and cancer resulting from stem cell division going awry.

II. Research and clinical applications of cultured stem cells: this includes the types of stem cells used, their characteristics, and the uses of stem cells in studying biological processes, drug development and stem cell therapy; heart disease, diabetes and Parkinson's disease are used as examples.

What are stem cells?

Abstracts of Research Articles on Stem Cells

The research articles in their entirety are available from agingwellness@aol.com .

Nutraceuticals Synergistically Promote Proliferation of Human Stem Cells

Paula C. Bickford, 1,2 Jun Tan, 1 R. Douglas Shytle, 1 Cyndy D. Sanberg, 3 Nagwa El-Badri, 1 and Paul R. Sanberg 1

ABSTRACT
A viable alternative to stem cell transplantation is to design approaches that stimulate endogenous stem cells to promote healing and regenerative medicine. Many natural compounds have been shown to promote healing; however, the effects of these compounds on stem cells have not been investigated. We report here the effects of several natural compounds on the proliferation of human bone marrow and human CD34+ and CD133+ cells. A dose-related effect of blueberry, green tea, catechin, carnosine, and vitamin D3 was observed on proliferation with human bone marrow as compared with human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF). We further show that combinations of nutrients produce a synergistic effect to promote proliferation of human hematopoietic progenitors. This demonstrates that nutrients can act to promote healing via an interaction with stem cell populations.

STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT 15:118-123 (2006)
© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Oxidative Stress of Neural, Hematopoietic, and Stem Cells: Protection by Natural Compounds

R. Douglas Shytle,1 Jared Ehrhart,2 Jun Tan,1,2 Jennifer Vila ,1 Michael Cole,1 Cyndy D. Sanberg,4 Paul R. Sanberg,1 and Paula C. Bickford1,3

ABSTRACT
During natural aging, adult stem cells are known to have a reduced restorative capacity and are more vulnerable to oxidative stress resulting in a reduced ability of the body to heal itself. We report here that the proprietary natural product formulation, NT020, previously found to promote proliferation of human hematopoietic stem cells, reduced oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of murine neurons and microglial cells in vitro. Furthermore, when taken orally for 2 weeks, cultured bone marrow stem cells from these mice exhibited a dose-related reduction of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. This preclinical study demonstrates that NT020 can act to promote healing via an interaction with stem cell populations and forms the basis of conducting a clinical trial to determine if NT020 exhibits similar health promoting effects in humans when used as a dietary supplement.

REJUVENATION RESEARCH
Volume 10, Number 2, 2007
© Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
DOI: 10.1089/rej.2006.0515

Research funds moving from embryonic stemcells to adult alternatives

Research funds are moving fast from embryonic stem cells to adult alternatives.

Harvard Medical School is another center of astonishing progress in adult stem cells. Trials have shown partially restored sight in animals with retinal damage. Clinical trials are expected within five years, using adult stem cells as a treatment to cure blindness caused by macular degeneration - old-age blindness and the commonest cause of sight-loss in America. Within 10 years it is hoped that people will be able to be treated routinely with their own stem cells in a clinic using a two-hour process.

Do stem cells really repair tissue?

For several years there has been a curious and very confusing debate in editorials of publications like the New England Journal of Medicine about whether adult stem cells actually regenerate tissue or not.

The debate centers on technical questions and semantics, rather than the reality of results. Take for example heart repair. We know that bone marrow cells can land up in damaged heart and when present, the heart is repaired. It is hard to be certain what proportion of this remarkable process is due to stimulants released locally by bone marrow cells, or by the bone marrow cells actually differentiating into heart tissue.

It remains a confusing picture, not least because in the lab, cells seem to change character profoundly, but in clinical trials it appears the effects of many stem cells are stimulatory. But who cares? As a clinician I am delighted if injecting your bone marrow cells into your back means that you are walking around 3 months after a terrible injury to your spine instead of being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. I am not so concerned with exactly how it all works, and nor will you be.

The future of stem cells

In summary, expect rapid progress in adult stem cells and slower, less intense work with embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cell technology is already looking rather last-century, along with therapeutic cloning. History will show that by 2020 we were already able to produce a wide range of tissues using adult stem cells, with spectacular progress in tissue building and repair. In some cases these stem cells will be actually incorporated into the new repairs as differentiated cells, in other cases, they will be temporary assistants in local repair processes.

We will also see some exciting new pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, which promise to do some of the same tricks without having to remove a single stem cell from the body. These drugs may for example activate bone marrow cells and encourage them to migrate to parts of the body where repairs are needed…

Kay Clark

Founded by scientists...

from the University of South Florida, Natura Therapeutics, Inc. is a science-based company committed to providing high quality nutritional products researched and developed by its team of leading experts in the fields of nutritional science and stem cell research. A portion of profits will be donated to adult stem cell research and the development of new and improved products.