What is Regenerative Medicine? Let's find out from the expert in the field!
By Dr. Mari Mitrani, MD, PhD (IG: @marimitrani)
The field of regenerative medicine is still in its infancy. Specializing in the replacing, engineering, or regeneration of human cells, tissues, and organs, regenerative medicine aims to optimize the human body’s natural ability to heal itself. Today, two types of regenerative treatments exist: autologous and allogenic. Autologous therapies originate in the patient’s own body and are a derivative of fat or blood. On the other hand, allogenic therapies originate outside of the patient’s own body, such as perinatal tissue derived therapies.
One of the field’s most exciting developments lies in the regenerative capacity of stem cells and other cell-based therapies. These therapies involve the isolation and expansion of stem cells from human tissue, and the transplantation or infusion of these cell products as a new drug. The delivery of these cell products has been shown in animal models as well as Phase II clinical trials, to provide tissue modulatory effects that promote regeneration and healing. However, research has uncovered that stem cell’s beneficial effects are mainly paracrine mediated via the release of extracellular vesicles called exosomes. Exosomes are small, nano-sized vesicles released from all cell types that transmit various proteins, microRNAs, and other signaling molecules directly to the injury site. Over the past few years, our approach in regenerative medicine has expanded from live cells to acellular (no cells) therapeutics. As a physician scientist, the Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Organicell Regenerative Medicine, I have steered Organicell to be at the forefront of exosome research through the development of novel manufacturing techniques to isolate and concentrate exosomes for therapeutic and clinical use.
Still, the field of regenerative medicine has much to uncover. Much of the field’s goals aim to help individuals recover, rebuild, and reprogram their cells to work optimally, or as they once did. Research shows that small actions in our everyday lives can help us live longer and prolong our quality of life, but first we must commit to making a change. This begins with our diet, exercise, sleep and mindfulness routines. Transitioning to a diverse, 80-90% whole foods plant-based diet can help in recovering and preventing various common chronic conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol and therefore myocardial infarction (heart attack). But this isn’t the only change we can make to help reprogram our cells. Actions as small as getting adequate sleep, 7-8 hours as an adult and 9-10 hours as a child, are vital to our cells ability to handle and recover from the stress we experience in our everyday lives. Most of all, hydrating our bodies with pure H2O can make the biggest change. We are composed of over 70% water and keeping a clean supply of pure water in our system is one of the most important resources. Ultimately, these small actions can help our body’s regenerate and function optimally. Regenerative medicine can span in complexity from the simple actions we take daily, to the exosome treatments that Organicell is developing in the lab. While our biological clock will never stop ticking, regenerative medicine is working to develop and shed light on innovative methods to achieve healing and maintain health long term.
References:
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