Читать книгу The Stem Cell Cure - Kerry Johnson MBA PhD - Страница 11

CHAPTER 2

Understanding Disease, Injury, and Aging

First, do no harm.

Breaking It Down

Before we can understand how stem cell therapy works, it is important to know what happens during disease and injury. Now more than ever before, we are starting to look further than just the symptomatic control of conditions. We are trying to identify the root causes. Ideally this should have been done all along with any so-called approved treatments. We are partly to blame, in a society obsessed with fixes that provide immediate satisfaction like fast food. Pharmaceutical companies have thrived on that perception.

Most medications come with serious downsides. Among all the drugs out there, none have done more harm than pain medications. Look at the opioid crisis gripping us all. In the end, we all pay a heavy price directly or indirectly through a ripple effect from this level of immediate gratification.

We are finally investigating what happens in the first place to our cells in disease and injury. How do our cells respond when injury and disease happen? Our hope is that this will point us in the right direction. Some treatments are being developed that are safe and effective and come without much downside.

Stem cell therapy is the latest kid on the block, but it has its own limitations as well. We still need to be careful in developing medications that actually enhance our healing capacity. Surgery should be offered only when its goals and outcomes are well defined. Only then can any treatment be called truly successful. We should all uphold the maxim “First, do no harm.” Only then can we maximize our journey and realize our true potential, individually and as a human race.

When a disease or any other medical condition afflicts us, three important things must be first understood:

1. What caused the disease?

2. What is the impact of the disease on local tissues as well as the remainder of the body?

3. How does your body cope with 1 and 2 above?

Let’s look at these in further detail.

What Triggers Disease?

The disease triggers in any organ system can be broken down into:

• Trauma and injury related to sports, automobile accidents, and extreme temperatures.

• Congenital defects or genetic predispositions. These are conditions we are born with, such as sickle cell anemia and cerebral palsy, or conditions that we have a tendency toward because of family history, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and certain mental illnesses.

• Environmental influence: pesticides, bacteria, viruses, fungi, alcohol, smoking, drugs, stress.

• Lack of blood flow (arterial blockage) leading to heart attack, stroke.

• Malnutrition, which can cause deficiency (lack of vitamins, protein loss) or excess (obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol).

• Autoimmune responses. The body reacts to its own cells. The most common examples are allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

• Abnormal multiplication of cells due to a variety of factors, some listed above, which results in cancer.

• Aging. As we age, there will be a gradual decline in our ability to renew our cells, although healthy diet and exercise can markedly slow down this decline.

How Disease and Aging Affect Your Cells

Whatever the cause or mechanism of any condition, ultimately it’s the local cells that get affected. When the damage is minimal or reversible, we recover. We get some rest and take minor medications, and we are good to go. Natural regeneration and repair occur, and our body is able to replace the mildly damaged cells, thereby restoring our functional capacity. In fact, that’s how we all survive the rigors of daily life. But when the damage is significant and/or repetitive, inflammation develops among the local cells within the affected organ. This is due to certain chemicals released from the affected cells and buildup of toxins. The toxins and chemicals also attract pro-inflammatory cells to the affected area. A combination of these sends your local cells into “inflammatory shock.” This inflammation does not necessarily mean you see a visible red swollen organ. This inflammation is at the level of your cells. Such inflammation manifesting only at the level of the cells is more sinister and can go undetected for many months to years. Inflammation along with the chemicals released locally by the affected cells causes two main things. One is that it produces symptoms, of which pain is the most common and profound.

Second, inflammation shuts down the local regenerative process through “inflammatory lock.” Our own cells become overwhelmed by the damaged cells. Our ability to self-regenerate and repair is markedly decreased. This sets up a vicious cycle of events that lead to further progression of the disease process and injury, which leads to more symptoms and further diminishes our capacity to function. When this process is not addressed in time, it becomes chronic. With the loss of function, the cells lose their ability to replicate. If left untreated, ultimately cell death follows.

Each organ and its cells have different capacities. Depending on what initiated the disease or injury, cell responses may vary. But the underlying theme is inflammation at the cellular level. That is why anti-inflammatories have worked for so long. But now we are starting to understand their side effects and the overall impact on the body. Cortisone and other steroids are very powerful chemicals that suppress inflammation. But their harmful side effects cause weakening of the very cells that are being treated.

An inescapable event is aging. As we age, our cells do slow down a bit. But our ability to regenerate and repair stays strong. Studies have shown that the ability of stem cells to replicate is not impacted as much by aging as are other cells. However, poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress have been shown to suppress the stem cells’ ability to function. This not only can impact a cell’s capacity to replicate, but also can damage our DNA and shorten chromosomes. This further decreases our cells’ ability to replicate and ultimately shortens our life.

Similarly, chronic inflammation anywhere in the body can make our stem cells run out of steam early, impacting not only the quality of our life but also longevity. This highlights how important it is for us to not let any chronic inflammation take root. On the flip side, we can slow down the destruction of our cells and further strengthen our stem cells by watching what we eat, exercising regularly, and managing stress. These three mixed together are the recipe for the best anti-aging cocktail out there!

How the Body Responds to Damage

The body attempts to cope with disease and injury to a certain extent, provided we let it. Rest, proper diet and nutrition, mental clarity, and calmness, along with proper physical exercise, can all help the body heal itself. As inflammation settles down, pain starts to lessen. It is extremely important we let the inflammation subside completely, preventing the condition from progressing to a chronic state.

The body will respond to damage in two ways:

1. When injury or damage is mild, the cells will regenerate.

Or

2. When the injury or damage is profound, the loss of tissue will result in declining function, and if the decline is extensive, then death will result.

When possible, it is important to focus on regenerative repair and healing by replacing damaged native cells. This process helps us return to optimal function and performance. The rate of tissue regeneration and repair varies in different organs. Bone marrow cells, skin cells, and the lining of our gut replace themselves at a high rate. Organs such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs repair at a much slower pace. Tissues such as brain cells (neurons) or heart cardiac muscle cells do not regenerate on their own. Injuries in these organs generally end up in scar tissue formation with loss of function.

CASE STUDY: REZA

Reza, a 32-year-old software programmer, started feeling cramping abdominal pain accompanied by loose stools about six years ago. At the time he was a sales manager for a reputable pharmaceutical company. His erratic bowel movements interfered with his job. He was always on the lookout for a nearby restroom. He inconveniently had to plan ahead on most of his sales trips. He tried some dietary modifications, but the symptoms persisted. He also noticed some blood-stained stools. After a colonoscopy and biopsy, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

With medications, Reza would feel good for a few months. But his symptoms would return with a vengeance. He eventually had to give up his sales career and retrained as a software programmer in an effort to work from home. He became physically, psychologically, and socially devastated. Last year, reluctantly, he agreed to undergo colectomy surgery in which nearly his entire colon was removed. He has some relief now but has to deal with the side effects of such a major surgery.

Along with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis is part of the spectrum of inflammatory bowel disease that affects about 2 million people in North America. And the incidence of these maladies is rising in many developing countries. In this disease, the lining of the bowel is inflamed and starts destroying local cells. The exact cause is unknown. But family history, immune reaction, and environmental bacteria or toxins can play a role.

Inflammation, the Secret Killer

We need to play close attention to the role inflammation plays. Inflammation is an attempt by our body to control disease and injury. Left unchecked, inflammation can damage cells and create a toxic environment. Inflammation can affect local tissue and cells impacted by disease and injury. But it also has a systemic effect on the rest of the body. One common example is fever caused by inflammation anywhere in the body. The consequences can be devastating. Significant injuries and chronic conditions overwhelm the body and need help in order to get things under control. Medications and surgery have been our primary options so far. However, these approaches do not necessarily address the root cause of what’s happening at the cellular level. Even when effective, they cause negative side effects and collateral damage. Surgery along with subsequent immobilization can induce more inflammation.

CASE STUDY: PHILIP

Philip is a 50-year-old who has been an insurance company administrator for 25 years. Over the last 12 months, both his knees have been hurting. When he wakes up in the morning, his joints stiffen up. He feels stiffness and pain even when rising from his desk. Some days the pain can be pretty severe. Philip has resorted to over-the-counter pain medications.

Philip decided to go see his doctor to find out what led to his knee pain. There has been no recent injury or trauma. He has led a pretty regular life. His wife has worked at an administrative job at a local hospital for the past 20 years. They have a son now 22, just out of college. Philip is moderately built with a body mass index of about 27. He doesn’t remember ever having a problem with his knees before. Both Philip’s parents have age-related aches and pains consistent with osteoarthritis.

So why do our joints hurt as we age? Especially when there have been no specific injuries? We have always thought that joint pain was due to wear and tear. But research has recently shown that there might be more happening inside the joint contributing to pain. It is more than simply wear and tear.

We are starting to understand what happens at the cellular level. It could be a combination of things. A sedentary lifestyle, aging, and a genetic predisposition (a family history) can all contribute to joint pain and the early onset of osteoarthritis. As we age, the cells within cartilage go into a state of inflammation, altering their ability to heal. The inflammation also alters the ability of joints to handle weight and pressure. A genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis can speed up this process. Even during youth, declining activity and a sedentary lifestyle cause muscles to go weak. The muscles are unable to support the joint. These events together set up a chain reaction. One thing leads to another, and soon pain starts to become part of our life. The good news is that we can slow down this process.

Since injury or disease disturbs our cells, all repair and healing also has to occur at the level of our cells. Stem cell treatments are based on the concept of replacing these damaged cells with new cells, leading to tissue growth. The new cells help repair diseased or injured tissues. As well, stem cells are known to have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. In certain scenarios stem cells can help fight inflammation at the cellular level and preserve natural tissue without much downside. As stem cell treatments develop, they will have to be tailored to the particular tissues or cell types they are attempting to regenerate. They can also alter our immune environment. This further helps to clean up the toxic inflammatory environment and thus promote healing. Preliminary research is showing promise, and the hope is that a cure for many conditions is in the near future.

Factors That Impact Healing

No matter what the treatment, there are certain elements within our environment and body that can actually interfere with the healing process. Your goal should be to minimize the impact on your body’s ability to heal. Factors both inside you and outside in your environment may have to be controlled for optimal healing.

One important thing to do after any procedure or treatment is to reduce local pressure or force. It is important to rest the part that has been treated. As tissue regeneration and repair takes place, you should prevent the healing cells from pulling apart or becoming disrupted. You want the healing cells to line up. A lack of rest can only lead to distortion and suboptimal healing.

Next it is important that your nutrition is good. A deficiency of certain proteins, vitamins, and minerals (especially vitamin C) can interfere with cell multiplication and regeneration. This can delay the healing process and/or result in the development of weaker tissues.

Both infection and diabetes can compromise the regenerative capacity of your cells and interfere with healing. And not only can they result in improper healing, but diabetes and infection can create severe complications affecting the whole body.

Maintaining good circulation and blood flow where the healing is taking place is critically important for tissues to heal. If you do not have good circulation, even good nutrition may not reach the body part where help is needed. Staying well hydrated is a simple way of making sure you have good circulation. Obviously, watching what you eat and keeping your cholesterol under control can only improve blood flow. Your cells (including stem cells) need to stay in a state of good hydration for important cellular functions to take place.

Managing Stress

Mental stress, self-doubt, and negative thinking all suppress the natural ability of our bodies to fight disease. This is the X factor that is generally not addressed in mainstream medicine. Patients don’t acknowledge it, and most physicians are not equipped to handle it. The mind is a powerful tool. When used correctly, it can help us fight great odds. When not used well, it can create havoc. The body follows the mind.

The above factors impact our ability to heal no matter what treatment we undergo. This is true with medications, surgeries, and even stem cell treatments. If you are really looking for results, pay attention to fundamentals.

CASE STUDY: RON

Ron was proud of his 20 years as a special-needs teacher. Now 48, he was in the same school district he started in. Ron had several opportunities to move up the administrative ranks. But he loved the kids. He always enjoyed a good joke, and his students loved him for it. Special education can be high stress. But Ron had a positive outlook. Ron was brought up in a family with plenty of love and abundance. Helping those in need brought him great pleasure.

Ron was hooked on sodas and Twinkies. He would have a Big Gulp cup in his hand as he walked through the corridors. Life progressed, and his habits stayed the same. One evening Ron started having persistent chest pains. He had to be hospitalized. After angiography, a blockage in one of his arteries was identified. A metal stent was placed to open up his artery. Ron had a body mass index of 38 and was diagnosed with obesity. But the additional and more severe diagnosis was type 2 diabetes. Inflammatory markers in his blood work were elevated. Ron also had suffered from severe constipation for several years. Ron was started on a long list of medications. He was disappointed in himself for not taking care of his health. When Ron got out of the hospital, he was determined to change his life and be an example for the students.

Obesity and inflammation are two sides of the same coin. Obesity can lead to inflammation, and inflammation can lead to obesity. We now understand more about what happens to the cells in diabetic patients. Inflammation due to diabetes is widespread throughout the body. It can affect many organs at the same time. Inflammation unfortunately interferes with stem cells and their ability to regenerate and repair. Inflammation then starts affecting the function of normal cells. Left unchecked, inflammation can cause strokes, renal failure, and nonhealing wounds.

What starts inflammation in the first place is unclear. While a genetic predisposition to obesity is known, not much can be done about it. Several other theories exist, especially one involving the gut microbes, the bacteria in your bowel. As mentioned above, Ron had been severely constipated for several years. It could be a combination of factors. Poor diet and lack of exercise are prime examples. It is extremely important that diabetics follow a regimen of weight loss, caloric restriction, and regular exercise to keep their diabetes under control. Staying hydrated every day and eating pomegranates can help reduce inflammation of the cells in diabetes.

We hope that by now you have a better understanding of what happens when you are not feeling well. Think about what your cells are undergoing and how inflammation affects them. Address the root cause and not just the symptoms. Do everything in your power to make your cells healthy again. Only then is your healing complete. Next we will look at how stem cells may help you in your efforts to heal naturally.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Disease and injury lead to inflammation.

2. Inflammation of the cells stops regeneration and repair.

3. Stem cells are extremely potent anti-inflammatories.

4. Fresh food + exercise + positive mindset = best anti-aging cocktail.