Stem cell for PCS?
 

Has anyone else read about or even tried the stuff out marketing to stimulate the release of adult stem cells? I believe one is called Stemtech (not positive). Supposedly contains a part of a seaweed that makes the body release adult stem cells that then "go to work" where needed.

A lady I go to the gym with touts this stuff. I'm hesitant, but she is so sweet and a preacher's wife, but that's no guarantee either LOL.

I haven´t heard about the supplements you mention, but I read an interesting article about stem cells for the treatment of brain injury which others might find interesting: **

There has been a huge controversy about this subject for years.

This comment by Dr. Weil MD summarizes it well IMO.
Including the warning of neurotoxins contained in blue green algae:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA40051...Enhancers.html

This site is also worth reading:
http://www.drdalepeterson.com/Stemen...3af43e7cd.html

I've recently read a very interesting summing up of the evidence surrounding stem cells and the production of new neurons ('neurogenesis') in the adult brain. I wanted to do a thread on it but I haven't quite got my head around it all just yet. The basic opinions of the author of the piece I've read (which I found very convincing) are as follows:-

1. Contrary to previous opinion, the adult mammalian brain is definitely capable of producing new brain cells throughout life in certain areas, chief among these is the hippocampus (which is involved in memory). Most of the evidence is from neurogenesis in adult rodents.

2. There is less evidence of this occurring in higher primates (including man) however the author considers the evidence to be sufficient to say that yes, this does occur in man as well.

3. There is huge potential for using this in neurological rehabilitation in the future, however, there is probably not enough evidence and understanding of it to use it effectively right now.

4. What evidence there is suggests that depression will reduce neurogenesis, and that exercise, an 'enriched (stimulating) environment' and new learning will increase it. It may be that these factors have to take place within a specific time frame in relation to each other.

There is no mention of dietary supplements contributing to this process (though they are a good idea generally). On looking at your son's current symptoms, I would not advise that he exercises, is stimulated or tries to learn anything new at the moment. When he has rested long enough to tolerate these things, they would be a good idea.

Just want to make it clear that I'm not referring to the particular dietary supplement you are asking about, as I know nothing about it. I just mean that eating or not eating certain diets has been shown to have a beneficial effect on recovery. I did a post on it here:- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread164555.html

and I have seen Mark in the past also post about evidence he's seen for eating pork, eggs and various supplements including b vitamins.

In all the hype about stem cells for neurogenesis, the only one that makes any biological sense is for the regeneration of nerve fibers for repair of spinal cord injuries and other nerve fiber injuries. The human brain has so many different types of neurons (4000) that targeting any specific type sounds far fetched. To make matters worse is the need to re-establish the axonal pathways.

The human brain takes years ( up to 20+) to establish and mature these neural pathways. A rodent's full set of neurons and neural pathways is complete in less than 2 months. To me, that speaks of a big difference in neural complexity. A adult rodent has the complex thinking skills of a human infant.

The idea of using sea weed to stimulate neurogenesis sounds like one of many of the "we came from the slime of the seas" claims that it is possible to duplicate the evolutionary cycle that claims that our existence is based on all evolutionary causes of advancement were started in a primordial ooze found in the seas. Wow, what a convoluted sentence. Hope you guys get what I am trying to say.

Odd that a preacher's wife is promoting a product based on evolutionary claims.

The StemTech website shows the kind of company they are. Can anyone say Multi-Level Marketing? Only one person on the entire management team has any science credentials, and even those of the chief researcher are not listed. The researcher's experience is in the natural foods and nutrition industry. Could it be he worked for another MLM company developing products? It sounds like he was looking for a product to hawk to customers. When he found one, he partnered with a MLM expert and formed StemTech.

Save you money.

I don't intend to buy it and appreciate your input. Never hurts to investigate any/all possible things to cure/reduce the PCS.

I can't imagine being any of you guys dealing with this for yourselves, but I can tell you how hard it is to parent this and have the paradoxical situation daily of trying to "fix" it and trying to accept it.

It is also worth mentioning that the products from StemTech promote adult stem cells from the bone marrow.

Stem cells from the bonemarrow are called hematopoietic stem cells and can only differentiate into blood cell types. These are pretty much useless when it comes to brain repair.

New brain cells are formed from neural stem cells but the process is quite slow and only takes place in discrete parts of the brain.

Research has shown that the consumption of blueberries increase the neurogenesis and plasticity in mouse models. The drug Fluoxetine, also known as Prozac or Fontex displays a similar effect.