Stem cells have the capacity to regenerate natural cell growth. They function as natural repair system within the body and can divide without limit. After dividing, the new cells can transform into a specific type of cell, whether muscle, tendon, ligament, or other, or may remain a stem cell, ready for future work.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the cells that produce other cells with specialized functions. They have the capacity to self-renew, producing more stem cells, or transform into a specific type of body cell. Stem cells are the only type of body cell with the ability to transform into other types of cells.

Adult stem cells

Adult stem cells cannot proliferate as effectively as those harvested after the birth of a healthy baby but are effective in treating specific types of injuries or damage. Adult stem cells were once believed to only be able to regenerate into the type of cell in the area in which they are located. An example is the blood-forming stem cells in bone marrow, which cannot transform into nerve or muscle cells.

Scientists have recently discovered that adult stem cells may have the capacity to develop into many types of cells, under the right conditions. Currently, researchers are engaged in discovering how to grow larger quantities of adult stem cells for use in the treatment of various conditions and diseases.

Types of adult stem cells

There are various types of adult stem cells, including:

Hematopoietic stem cells: These stem cells produce blood-related cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells: These stem cells produce a range of bone and cartilage cells.
Neural stem cells: These stem cells are found in the brain, producing several cell types, including nerve cells.
Epithelial stem cells: These stem cells are found in the digestive tract and produce cells for that body area.
Skin stem cells: These stem cells are found in the lower area of the skin structure and in hair follicles.

How stem cells regenerate

Stem cells are harvested from various areas where they are abundant, which may include adipose (fatty) tissue, or from placenta or umbilical cord products that were formerly discarded after the birth of a healthy baby. These cells have the capacity to regenerate, transforming into various types of cells in the body.

Regenerative medicine and stem cells

Stem cells have been found to be effective in replacing damaged or diseased cells with healthy cells. Some types of tissue, whether cartilage, tendon, or ligament, when injured, has been difficult to repair. With advances in stem cell and other types of biologic treatments, exciting results have been achieved in tissue regeneration.

Perinatal stem cells

The stem cells in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood, harvested after birth are called perinatal stem cells. These stem cells have been found to be effective in treating various types of joint, cartilage, tendon, and ligament injuries, as they have the ability to generate new, healthy cell growth.

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy is a different approach to treating injuries, illnesses, and various types of tissue damage. The stem cells may be injected into the area to be treated to decrease inflammation and regenerate healthy tissue, warding off the need to undergo traditional joint replacement surgery.

Stem Cell