Stem cells are undifferentiated cells which are defined by their ability to become multiple types of cells and their ability to proliferate indefinitely. Two of the most commonly talked about types of stem cells are mesenchymal and embryonic.
INTRODUCTION: Neurologic diseases are some of the most dreaded in existence. Like most human afflictions many of them involve inflammatory changes. For this reason stem cell treatment, which is anti-inflammatory, has shown excellent promise in treating a significant number of the most feared neurologic disorders. Often times immunosuppressive drugs are used for treatment. However these drugs have a high side effects profile. In contrast stem cell treatment has no significant side effects.
This is the title of a 2016 research paper published in the prestigious Journal of the American Heart Association. It can be found here. In their conclusions section discussing CVD (cardiovascular disease) they state “hydroxychloroquine use was associated with a 72% decrease in the risk of incident CVD in RA patients.”This is particularly important because heart disease is the leading cause of death in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
This is a very interesting article in which herd immunity as seen in Sweden is compared to containment. For those who don’t know herd immunity is expected in Stockholm in about 2 weeks and then shortly thereafter in the rest of Sweden. If herd immunity can be achieved safely it has obvious advantages over containment with the possible destruction of the economy and the resulting ravages of addiction, suicide, domestic violence and economic ruin that occur with lockdown quarantine. Herd immunity relies on voluntary less severe social distancing that allow the economy to function. Herd immunity is safely possible if three conditions are met.
Many people have asked me if stem cell treatment can help patients with COVID-19. The answer is yes, with qualifications. First some background on the different kinds of stem cells that are available. Only adult stem cells, not embryonic, are considered safe for use. If they come from another human being they’re called allogeneic. If they come from the patient being treated they’re called autologous. Here are the potentially available types of cells.
