What's the difference Between Adult and Embryonic Stem Cells?
What Are Stem Cells?
Stem cells are cells found in bone marrow and other organs. They can develop into any type of tissue that exists in the fully developed body, including any kind of blood cell: red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. Because of their unique, regenerative properties, stem cells offer new hope for a variety of diseases, including diabetes mellitis, stroke, osteoporosis,heart disease and, more recently, COPD. Scientists are interested in using stem cells to repair damaged cells and tissues in the body because they are far less likely than to be rejected than foreign cells that originated from another source.
All stem cells are termed pluripotent, meaning one stem cell could form multiples types of cells. Both adult and embryonic stem cells are taken from living human tissue. Adult stem cells are readily available in many different areas of the human body and do not harm the individual from whom they are taken.
Embryonic stem cells, however, are harvested from living embryos and the developing human life must be killed in order to extract the stem cells.
The US National Institute of Health (NIH)’s own website on stem cells states: Adult Stem Cells are currently the only type of stem cell commonly used to treat human diseases. The clinical potential of adult stem cells has also been demonstrated in the treatment of other human diseases that include diabetes and advanced kidney cancer. National Institutes of Heath.
Studies are being conducted showing the enormous implications of adult stem cells through the body’s natural mechanisms. Adult stem cells circulate to areas where they are needed to support the natural renewal process. By giving rise to an increase in circulating adult stem cells, they therefore support the body’s natural ability to rebuild, renew and rejuvenate. The studies are significant , the increased circulation of millions of additional stem cells in the bloodstream could be one of the most important ways for maintaining optimal health that science has yet discovered!
Deborah White, in an article written on the Website About .com, wrote; "Embryonic stem cells are thought by most scientists and researchers to hold potential cures for spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, hundreds of rare immune system and genetic disorders and much more."
She further went on to state, "Scientists see almost infinite value in the use of embryonic stem cell research to understand human development and the growth and treatment of dieases. Actual cures are many years away, though, since research has not progressed to the point where even one cure has yet been generated by embryonic stem cell research."
However, embryonic stem cell research seems to get all the press at the expense of adult stem cell research, even though stem cells taken from embryos have yet to help a single patient. In fact, in clinical trials, stem cells taken from embryos often grow tumors and have shown great genetic instability.
Stem cells are either autologous, coming from your own body, or, allogenic, coming from another person who donates them. Many experts believe that autologous stem cells are much safer than allogenic because with allogenic stem cells, there is a greater risk of rejection by the immune system. The International Cellular Medicine Society, (ICMS), however, believes that many diseases would respond well to allogenic stem cell therapy and that patients must weigh the potential, long-term benefits with possible risks before making a decision.
For stem cell treatments to be clinically relevant, millions of stem cells need to be implanted into a designated recipient. Because generating millions of stem cells is difficult once they are removed from the body, scientists must manipulate them somehow to produce larger quantities. The FDA says that manipulation turns them into prescription drugs, and that this practice must therefore be tightly regulated. Stem cell advocates don't agree with the FDA's stand on this, and are currently fighting to get this changed.
As we age, the body releases fewer and fewer adult stem cells which are the body's rebuilding tools. Stem Cell nutrition would help overcome the aging process by promoting the release of additional adult stem cells in the body.......
A company called JDI International has developed a nutritional product called Vita-Stim™ The science behind its formulation seems very sound and according to their website, "Vita-Stim™ Stem Cell Nutrition is a new class of patent pending dietary supplement for improving life. It combines the latest knowledge of functional foods and scientifically designed extracts to better quality of life in most people who use it."
It further states that "Vita-Stim™ Stem Cell Nutrition is not a drug; it does not contain anything toxic or synthetic to our bodies. It is a unique natural food supplement that supports your body’s natural renewal system."
