The human body is made of trillions of cells, and there are hundreds of different types of cells. While each type of cell is undeniably important, there is one type of cell that amazes me the most: stem cells.
When people hear the term, it’s common to think of stem cell therapy, which is the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine to treat a variety of diseases and injuries. But our bodies have their own stem cells working hard to keep us healthy every day – and they are mind-blowing.
Special features of stem cells
Stem cells have two very special features:
- They can self-renew, meaning they can make identical copies of themselves.
- They can develop into specialized cell types with specific functions.
These qualities make stem cells crucial for the development, growth and maintenance of our tissues and organs. As adults, especially, stem cells play an essential role in the body’s natural repair and renewal process.
So, we know that stem cells are amazing and that they are critically important for our health and wellbeing. The next question is: How can we protect and enhance the health of our stem cells?
7 steps to support stem cell health
Stem cell quality can be improved using a functional medicine approach by addressing various aspects of overall health and wellness. Here are seven simple steps you can take:
1. Optimize your nutrition. A healthy diet rich in nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants can support stem cell function and improve their quality. Focus on eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, lean proteins and whole grains.
2. Manage inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can impair stem cell function. Identify and address potential sources of inflammation such as poor diet, food allergies, chronic infections and environmental toxins.
3. Improve gut health. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for optimal stem cell function. Take steps to improve gut health by eating a diverse range of fiber-rich foods, avoiding processed foods, and taking probiotics or eating fermented foods. I offer gut testing to help my patients optimize their gut health.
4. Optimize your hormones. Hormones play a key role in regulating stem cell function, so optimizing hormone balance can improve stem cell quality. I work with my patients regularly to identify and address hormonal imbalances.
5. Manage stress. Chronic stress can negatively affect stem cell function. Incorporate stress-reducing practices such as meditation, yoga or deep breathing exercises into your daily routine. (Check out these Spiritual Wellness resources for ideas and inspiration.)
6. Address sleep quality. Adequate sleep is crucial for optimal stem cell function. Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night, and address any sleep disorders or habits that may be interfering with your sleep.
7. Identify and address nutrient deficiencies. Certain nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate are important for stem cell function. I use micronutrient testing to identify nutrient deficiencies in my patients, and then address those through dietary changes or supplementation.
Get some support from Dr. Cas
If you’d like some support on how you can support your stem cells, give me a call. I’m welcoming patients at Evoke5 Medical Center, my family functional medicine clinic in Oklahoma City, and seeing patients across the country via online consulting. I’d love to talk with you.