Stem Cells : Get the Facts
Stem cells are often a topic of discussion in the media, though it is a subject that is somewhat shrouded in mystery.
We’re going to break down the information and give you the basic facts about stem cell therapy so that you can have a greater understanding of how it works and its potential. At Cell-Innovations in Sydney, Australia, we are firm believers in sharing information on stem cell therapy and hope to continue educating people on the value of stem cells.
What are stem cells and why are they important?
Stem cells are a type of cell that is found in every human body. These cells are unique because they have the capacity to differentiate into specialised cell types, which means that they can mimic any type of cell and transform into it. Stem cells are self-renewing and have an indefinite ability to make copies of themselves. This allows us the opportunity to extract stem cells and re-insert them into certain parts of the body that are suffering from cell loss. For example, a patient with osteoarthritis suffers from depleted levels of cartilage in their joints. Their own stem cells can be injected into the joint and the stem cells will divide and form new cartilage, reducing the effects of osteoarthritis.
How are stem cells extracted?
The process by which stem cells are extracted from the body involves a mini-liposuction procedure, where a small amount of adipose fat tissue is extracted. This fat is then treated with an ultrasonic cavitation to purify and refine the valuable regenerative cells. Before the cells are re-injected into the body, we perform a quality test to examine the cell viability and count.
Why is there controversy surrounding stem cell therapy?
Much of the controversy surrounding stem cell therapy actually has to do with the use of embryonic stem cells which have been developed in a lab through in vitro fertilisation from consenting donors. Embryonic stem cells were used because they are less likely to contain abnormalities due to environmental and age factors, and were more adaptable to change. It is important to note that we do not use embryonic stem cells, we use adult stem cells extracted from the person’s own adipose fat tissue, which subsequent research has shown are more adaptable than initially thought. There is no debate about the ethicality of adult stem cells; the controversy only surrounds the concept of using embryonic stem cells.
What are the potential uses of stem cells?
Current research suggests that people who suffer from the following conditions might potentially be viable candidates to benefit from stem cell therapy in the future, though as of yet there is no clear data:
- Osteoarthritis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Stroke victims
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Spinal cord injury
Stem cell therapy is an extremely promising avenue of scientific study that has the potential to increase our understanding of how diseases occur and how conditions develop. Cell-Innovations, based in Sydney, Australia, are global leaders in the field of Regenerative Medicine, and offer full packages that include comprehensive training for doctors and their staff, as well as laboratory and surgical equipment, in addition to ongoing support and assistance.
If you would like to find out how you can incorporate stem cell therapy into your practice, contact us today.