A Quick Guide to Regenerative Medicine

From healed cuts to the skin, to mended broken bones, and regenerated liver tissue, we all know that the human body has the ability to heal and repair itself on some level. However, we also are aware that many diseases and conditions that affect us are unfortunately ones that the human body cannot heal from on its own.  

Where traditional medicine seeks to treat and alleviate symptoms caused by severe and chronic ailments such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, cancer, and more, the field of regenerative medicine takes an entirely different approach. Instead of managing the effects of disease, regenerative medicine seeks ways to boost and support the body’s natural healing ability so that it can repair damaged tissue and organs, and potentially cure disease.   

“How does this work?”, you might ask. MiracleCord is here to answer that question for you with our quick guide to regenerative medicine.

What is Regenerative Medicine?

The field of regenerative medicine is relatively new, having been around for only a few decades. It is a multidisciplinary field that brings together experts from the sciences of biology, chemistry, genetics, medicine, and even computer science and robotics.  

The goal of regenerative medicine is to discover therapies that go beyond simply treating the symptoms of a disease and instead provide what the body needs to heal and repair itself. This occurs by replacing damaged cells, tissues, and organs with healthy cells and amplifying the body’s natural healing ability. Ultimately, regenerative therapies can prompt regeneration of damaged cells, tissues, and organs, and work to restore their natural function. 

While a relatively young field of medicine, there is already a great deal of promise with several FDA-approved procedures already in place, and thousands of clinical trials initiated. Based on current estimates, it is thought that up to 1 in 3 Americans could benefit from regenerative medicine therapies at some point in their lives.

Types of Regenerative Medicine Therapies

There are three primary concentrations in the field of regenerative medicine. Each takes a different approach to helping promote the repair and regeneration of tissues and organs damaged by disease, trauma, and congenital issues. 

Immunomodulation: Immunomodulation therapy is a process in which biologically active molecules and chemical agents are used to manipulate the body's immune system into performing a specific function.    

Tissue Engineering: Tissue engineering is the practice of implanting scaffolds at a site in the body where new tissue needs to be regenerated. The biologically compatible scaffold is created in the shape of the tissue that needs to be repaired and attracts healthy cells that rebuild the damaged tissue. 

Cellular Therapies: Cell therapies are conducted by transplanting healthy stem cells into damaged tissue and organs. Under the right conditions, stem cells can then promote the regeneration of healthy tissues and cells and work to restore their natural function. 

Cord Blood Banking & Regenerative Medicine

One of the best sources of healthy stem cells for use in regenerative therapies is from cord blood. Because they are collected at birth, cord blood stem cells are considered one of the most viable and stable types of stem cells as they are much less likely to have been exposed to latent diseases and DNA degradation.  In addition,with cord blood there is much less risk of contracting the potentially fatal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) that can occur if a body rejects transplanted stem cells. 

At present, cord blood stem cells have been used in the field of regenerative medicine to effectively treat over 80 disease and conditions, with even more potential on the horizon. It is with this in mind that cord blood banking might just be the most important investment that you can make for the future health of your child and your family. 

With the future of regenerative medicine growing ever-brighter, MiracleCord offers a number of highly affordable plans that will ensure that your baby’s cord blood stem cells are available for you to use when you might need it most.  

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION ON THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE USED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.The materials and information contained on the MiracleCord website is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis, and should not be used as such. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. If you are seeking personal medical advice, you should consult with a licensed physician. Always consult with a qualified health care provider regarding a medical condition.