Taking Care of Our Own Stem Cells

How much do we know about our own stem cells and how they repair and replace injured, aging and dying tissue?

The first cell of a new life is a stem cell. As an embryo develops in the womb, the original stem cell creates more stem cells that then create all of our cells, tissues and organs.

There are neural stem cells for the skin and nervous system, hematopoietic stem cells for the blood and immune system, mesenchymal stem cells for the bone, cartilage, ligaments, and fat tissue.

There are also additional stem cells for the various organs.

How is a stem cell different from other cells?

First, a stem cell has the ability for "self-renewal," making an identical copy of itself.

Second, a stem cell has multipotency, the ability to generate the major types of tissue. (Embryonic stem cells have the capacity for "pluripotency," to generate all of the tissues of the body).

Third, a stem cell has the ability to repair and regenerate cells and tissue through generating new cells and producing growth factors that support injured cells.

Ahmed S., The culture of neural stem cells. Journal of Cell Biochemistry 2009; 106(1):1-6.

Neurons are sensitive stem cells. Negative thoughts and emotions create a stress response that increases glutamate in the brain or spinal cord. Glutamate has a number of benefits, including helping with learning and memory. However, excessive glutamate injures the neurons and creates memory loss.

Sapolsky RM. The possibility of neurotoxicity in the hippocampus in major depression:a primer on neuron death. Biological Psychiatry 2000; 48(8): 755-65.

It is important to keep hope alive. Hope stimulates dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel a sense of fulfillment. Dopamine is also important for learning and memory.

Ward, The Neuroscience Behind Hope. http://www.brainhealthhacks.com/2008/10/16/the-neuroscience-behind-hope/

Morgan D, et al. Social dominance in monkeys: dopamine D2 receptors. Nature Neuroscience 2002; 5(2):169-74.

Wan P, et al. Involvement of dopamine D1 receptors of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in spatial learning and memory deficits in a rat model of vascular dementia. Pharmazie 2014; 69(9):709-10.

Exercise, sufficient sleep, nutritional food and beverages, and an "enriched environment" help strengthen the stem cells and promote learning and memory.

Ploughman M., Exercise is brain food:the effects of physical activity on cognitive function. Developmental Neurorehabilitation 2008;11(3):236-40.

Meerlo P. et al., New neurons in the adult brain:the role of sleep and consequences of sleep loss. Sleep Medicine Reviews 2009;13(3):187-94.

Molteni R. et al., A high-fat, refined sugar diet reduces hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal plasticity, and learning. Neuroscience 2002; 112(4):803-14.

Segovia G., et al., Environmental enrichment, prefrontal cortex, stress, and aging of the brain. Journal of Neural Transmission 2009;116(8):1107-16.

For more research on stem cells, click on your stem cells