Stem Cell Treatment for Anti-Aging: How It Works & What to Expect

Aging is a reduction in the body’s ability to perform both physiological and physical functions. Overtime, aging leads to decrease in cellular and physiological functions leading to alteration in cells function ultimately resulting in damage to various organs and tissues.

Is it true that stem cell therapy reverses aging? Indeed, it is true and Stem cell therapy has proven it’s potential to reverse aging and exhibit anti-aging benefits. 

It is possible that with the advancement in technological innovations, clinicians can reverse the signs of aging and give patients a youthful and rejuvenating experience.

One such example is of popular entrepreneur and millionaire Bryan Johnson who injected about 300 million mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow to restore joints similar to that of an 18 year old in order to reverse aging.

This blog aims to enlighten the audience by providing youthful and rejuvenating information about stem cell treatment for anti-aging and the impact and benefit it has on the overall well-being of a person.

What are the signs that suggest aging?

The common signs that points towards age related issues and suggests that a person is aging are:

1. Impairment in vision and hearing capacity
2. Decrease in immune function and immunity
3. Loss of strength in muscles, bones and joints
4. Alteration in balance and mobility
5. Decline in cognition
6. And potential loss of hair and body metabolism.

Rejuvenating mechanisms of stem cell therapy for anti-aging

The processes by which stem cell rejuvenates skin and gives a youthful experience are:

1. Damaged tissue regeneration: stem cells have the potential to regenerate the damaged tissue by differentiating into the specific cells and initiating regeneration. Therefore, by means of regeneration, it improves signs of anti-aging.
2. Stimulating repair: stimulates repair by triggering release of growth factors and certain signaling molecules. Above all, the role of these factors and molecules is to aid the repair process and ensure that the damaged tissue rejuvenates into healthy skin.
3. Inflammation reduction: Firstly, stem cells stimulate the release of anti-inflammatory molecules and declines levels of inflammatory molecules. And this process ensures that the stem cells reduce inflammation which in turn helps in improving signs of aging.
4. Immune system modulation: modulating immune system remains top priority as any dysfunction in the immune system can lead to dysfunction of the healthy cells. Therefore, stem cells play an important role in implementing immunomodulatory effects.
5. Oxidative stress reduction: during certain biological processes, cells release oxygen radical species that harms and damages the cells. Stem cells provide protection against oxidative stress by inhibiting the release of radicals which ultimately leads to improvement in aging signs.
6. Boosts production of collagen: stem cells also stimulate the production of collagen since collagen significantly reduces with advancing age. This increase in production of collagen results in enhanced elasticity giving a younger feel to the skin.
7. Improvement of cognitive function: another problem associated with aging is deterioration of cognitive function. However, with the help of stem cell therapy, we can improve cognitive function and capacity and prevent progression of functions.

The above are few of the rejuvenating mechanisms in anti-aging.

Benefits in aging post stem cell therapy

1. An enhanced rejuvenating feel
2. Enhancement of strength and mobility
3. Greater immunity 
4. Increase in functional capabilities
5. Increase in density and volume of hair
6. Better sense of strength
7. Improvement in pain symptoms
8. And overall improvement in quality of life

The above part highlights the benefits post stem cell therapy.

Significance of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in anti-aging

MSCs stimulate certain mechanisms and secrete large amounts of molecules and factors that help in displaying anti-aging benefits. The following are the approaches of mesenchymal stem cells for anti-aging 

1. Intercellular communication: MSC derived exosomes consist of numerous components which operate as messengers between cells, relaying information and stimulating repair and regeneration of damaged tissue. The components are bioactive molecules along with nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids.
2. Cellular protection: certain cellular processes cause oxidative stress which accelerates cellular damage and aging process. Now, the stem cells counteract oxidative stress by releasing antioxidants and protective molecules resulting in anti-aging.
3. Maintenance of stem cell pool: exosomes and MSC ensures that it maintains a sustainable environment so that the cells can be continuously available for repair and rejuvenation.
4. Mitochondrial function enhancement: both the exosomes and the mesenchymal stem cells enhance the longevity of cells by increasing the function of mitochondria which generates high energy within the cells.
5. Anti-fibrotic effects: fibrosis is a leading cause of organ dysfunction and aging. Basically, fibrogenesis is a process by which fibrous tissue accumulate in and around the organs. Hence, MSCs prevent the process of fibrogenesis by targeting TGF-β1 pathway, minimizing oxidative stress and immunosuppression.
6. Wound healing and Angiogenesis: When the stem cells are incorporated they not only regenerate into new tissue but also produce factors for growth and cytokines. And the released substances promote angiogenesis.
7. Enhanced autophagy: autophagy is a process by which unnecessary and destroyed cellular products are removed. So, stem cells promote autophagy, meaning they remove the worn out and destructed components and ensures that the cells rejuvenate efficiently.
8. Alteration of Senescence: senescence is a process by which cells lose its ability to divide and as a result of this the cells age. Thus, the stem cells modulate the process of senescence and reverse aging, giving cells a youthful touch.
9. Remodeling: as the name itself suggests, remodeling takes place in order to maintain the functions, elasticity and structure of various tissues.

What do clinical trials suggest about stem cells to reverse aging?

Stem cells possess ability to differentiate and proliferate into specialized type of cells. Because of this reason, stem cell therapy is capable of regenerating the damaged tissue, reducing inflammation, modulating immune system and improving cellular function. 

1. According to the study present in journal, Aging Cell, bone marrow stem cells reduce inflammation and enhance immune function resulting in increase in lifespan. The study suggests that the overall process results in anti-aging effects.
2. In another study found in the journal, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, reports that stem cells increases collagen production thereby increasing elasticity. This improves appearance of the skin giving a brightful feel. Therefore, it exerts anti-aging effects.

Hence, the overall result is decline in aging as seen with above mentioned studies.

Concluding remarks

In the coming years, Stem cell treatment for anti-aging will continue to make greater strides. With continuing research and clinical trials it can transform into next big thing in the coming years. 

Mesenchymal stem cells hold an important role in anti-aging. Moreover, with the advancing age, as the body functions become slow, implementation of stem cell therapy boosts body functions and has anti-aging effects.

Implementing a healthy lifestyle, engaging in physical exercise and with medical advancements we can improve quality of life. Therefore, stem cell therapy results in a more active and healthy younger life.

FAQ’s

Q: What best defines aging?

Aging is a slow and gradual process where body’s ability to perform both physiological and physical functions decreases. Additionally, overtime, aging leads to decrease in cellular and physiological functions leading to alteration in cells function ultimately resulting in damage to various organs and tissues.

Q: What are the common signs that relates to aging?

The common signs that points towards age related issues and suggests that a person is aging are impairment in vision and hearing capacity, decrease in immune function, potential loss of strength in muscles, decline in cognition and potential loss of metabolic activities.

Q: What are the benefits seen post stem cell therapy in reversing aging?

The benefits post stem cell therapy are enhanced rejuvenating feel, increase in functions, increase in strength and mobility, enhanced immunity and overall improvement in quality of life.

Q: How does stem cell therapy give a youthful radiant skin?

Since collagen significantly reduces with advancing age, stem cell therapy stimulates the production of collagen. This increase in production of collagen results in enhanced elasticity giving a younger feel to the skin.