Stem cell research in relation to anti aging medicine is truly revolutionary. Scientists are saying they know more than enough to get started on the development of working anti-aging medicine - therapies that my slow down or reverse the root causes of age-related degeneration. The science behind it is combining biology, chemistry, and genetics.with ethical and moral constraints that may come into question- this will all lead to a very interesting brand of medicine. Although anti aging medicine has been known to some as a viable sub specialty, it is important to note that until recently stem cell research has been viewed in a skewed manner.
Progress in any one area of the science may lead to therapies for a specific class of age-related illnesses. It is reasonable to expect that over time, researchers will be able to fill in the gaps of stem cell research and where it can be appropriately utilized.
Already Alzheimer’s patients are being promised immune therapies that may address suspected causes of neurodegradation. In age related illnesses, it is thought that the damaged mitochondrial DNA is responsible for the progression of the disease process. In the case of cancer therapy it is believed that manipulation of the telomeres may prevent or treat cancer in the body.
When discussing stem cell research in relation to life extension, it can mean many things. It may be a slow process, and one cannot expect to prevent all diseases at once. Anti aging medicine may be cost effective way of addressing the root cause of the disease, not just treating the disease itself.
There are seven proposed categories of biologic processes that can lead to this type of degenerative aging and age related diseases. Scientists have been able to work with potential therapies in the last two decades that have helped in understanding how stem cells will be able to prevent possible disease in the future. It is thought that tissue loses cells with the advancement of age, such as those in the heart and areas of the brain. Stem cell research and regenerative medicine have been providing very promising answers to degeneration through cell loss.
Elimination of telomere-related mechanisms that may cause cancer- by selectively modifying telomere elongation through tissue typing, this may be the answer to the prevention of cancer. Development of therapies to fix mitochondrial DNA may eliminate the functions that are party to the degenerative aging process. Proteins that are outside the cells, many that are vital to artery walls and skin elasticity, are developed early in life and are never recycled or recycled very slowly. These life long proteins are susceptible to chemical reactions that degrade effectiveness, and researchers can locate suitable enzymes or compounds to break down problem cross-links that they body may not be able to handle.
There are certain cases of cell accumulation, in areas where they are unwanted, specifically in the joints of the body, this is akin to arthritis, and other age related diseases. Stem cell therapy can aid in tailoring the body and the immune system to destroy cells as they become problematic, preventing any related problems.
It is understood that as we age, junk material known as amyloid accumulates outside our cells. Vaccines are currently under development for Alzheimer's, a condition featuring prominent amyloid plaques, and similar efforts could be applied to other classes of extra cellular junk material. There are numerous other diseases that can be treated in the same manner with the same methods when research has developed the appropriate therapies. When junk material builds up within the non-dividing long-life span of cells, thus impairing functions and causing damage, it is hard to ignore the repercussions they may have on the future. The biochemistry of this “junk” is fairly well understood; with the problem lying in the development of a therapy to break down the unwanted material.
With the development of anti aging medicine and the progression of research in the area of stem cells- it is easy to understand how this can truly revolutionize the future. Although there is much to learn about the topic, you may want to discuss with your doctor about how this may impact your future and your life.
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