Cells are the fundamental unit ofindependent life, and we humanshave nearly one trillion of them.

Approximately one in every lo.ooo is astem ceil. Among life science research-ers, stem cells are currently the hottesttopic, and for good reason—they are abiologically reminiscent of the fountainof youth.

Stem cells are the cells held in reservethroughout our healthy tissues. As welose cells to injury, aging, or for otherreasons, our own stem cells are able tomake new cells to replace at least someof those that are lost. Stem cells makepossible tissue renewal based in our ownbody. Previously the human brain wasthought to lack stem cells, but by 1996stem cells were pinpointed in its cortex,hippocampus and elsewhere.

18 TOTAL HEALTH Volume 28, No

Experiments with rats, mice and mon-keys have demonstrated that stem cellscan become active following transferinto a new host. For example, in animalmodels of stroke new nerve cell forma-tion, new circulation, and a degree ofstructural and functional recovery is seenin the damage zone. Similar findings inmonkey brains indicate there is no insur-mountable barrier to the same occurringin humans.

Switching On Stem Cell ActivityUsing Growth FactorsAdult brain stem cells can be very hard toconvert to fully-devetoped brain cells. Inexperimental animals, stem cell conver-sion to nerve cells requires mental stim-ulation, and physical exercise also helps.Growth factors are absolutely required.

Brainir itself

stem Cells,Growth Factors,and Brain Nutrients

by Parris M. Kidd, Ph.D.

Growth factors are small protein mol-ecules naturally put out by our healthycells. They are a class of messenger mol-ecules that bathe each of our tissues andstimulate the cells of that tissue to carryout ongoing cell replacement. It seemsgrowth factors must be present for stemcells to divide and make more cells. Ourbrain tissue produces a bunch of differ-ent growth factors.

The quality and quantity of stimulireaching the brain affects growth factorstatus, which in turn affects stem cellactivity. In animal experiments, increas-ing stimulation of the brain typicallyup-regulates growth factor productionand release. Conversely, blocking brainstimulation tends to down-regulate thegrowth factors. And intense positivestimulation results in stem cells con-verting into mature brain cells. Thesefindings give new meaning to the adage,"use it or lose it."

Nerve growth factor, or NGF, was thefirst growth factor to be discovered. NCFis particularly abundant in zones of thebrain endowed with cholinergic circuits.These rely heavily on the transmitter ace-tylcholine and are usually the first circuitsto begin dropping out as Alzheimer'sdevelops. Clinical researchers at theUniversity of California at San Diego con-ducted a small clinical trial ("Phase I")that probed the importance of one keygrowth factor in the human brain.

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PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans of four brain levels aver-

aged from several Alzheimer's patients, following the injection of cells

that secrete nerve growth factor (NCF) enhancement. The four scans on

the right were made six to eight months after those on the left. Color

bar (center) shows that yellow and red areas are up to three times more

energized than other areas, {Nature Medicine. 2OO5;n:55i-5.)

Nerve Growth Factor Grows New Circuits in Human BrainsFollowing the usual ethical requirements of the university and thestate and federal governments, including appropriate informedconsent from the patients, this team injected eight Alzheimer'spatients with each patients' own cells primed to secrete nervegrovirth factor. The research was reported by Tuszynski and col-laborators in Nature Medicine (2OO5;n;55i-5).

The study procedures were very high tech. Skin cells (fibro-blasts, not stem cells) were taken from each patient, culturedusing appropriate support nutrients, and "transfected" with aharmless virus carrying a gene for nerve growth factor (NGF).This made the skin cells able to produce and release NCF. Theneach patient was prepped for surgery and her/his specific cellswere injected into her/his own brain {the basal forebrain zone,often the most affected by Alzheimer's).

The experiment was a success, but unfortunately involvedtragedy. Two patients moved their heads during the delicatebrain surgery, sustained bleeding into the brain, and had tobe removed from the study. One died after five weeks. Fine-structural examination of the forebrain from this deceasedpatient showed that the injected cells had indeed survived, andhad released NCF, Around this zone of NCF release, new nervecircuits had formed. This confirmed that the human brain, likethat of the monkey and the rat, has the capacity to make braincircuits from scratch. And this in an Alzheimer's patient!

The six patients who remained in the study were care-fully followed for a total 22 months. !n cognitive tests andclinical assessment they showed improvement in their rate ofAlzheimer's decline. Brain imaging of four of them {using PET,positron emission tomography) found significantly improvedenergy generation in the cortex and cerebellum. The enhance-ment of NCF levels in the basal forebrain of these patients,achieved by transplanting their own cells primed to makeNCF, seems to have partially ameliorated their progression todementia.

Stem Cells Already in Clinical Use in MexicoDavid Steenblock, M.S., D.O,, a highly respected physician,is founder and director of the Brain Therapeutics MedicalClinic in Mission Viejo, California. Dr Steenbiock has written

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{together with Anthony Payne, Ph.D.) a highly informative bookon the treatment of degenerative brain diseases with stem cellsentitled Umbilicat Cord Stem Cell Therapy: The dji of Healingfrom Healthy Newborns. This book introduces stem cell therapyas an immediate clinical reality.

In this landmark book, Drs. Steenblock and Payne presentmuch of the useful science behind stem cell therapy. Theymake a compelling argument for the use of human umbilicalcord stem cells (hUCSC). These stem cells are readily harvestedfrom human umbilical cords that are usually discarded oncethe healthy infant is born. They can be persuaded to form justabout any cell type in culture, using appropriate growth factors,nutrients, and other culture conditions. The book details pro-tocols for collecting these cells, expanding their numbers, anddelivering them into the patient.

Besides circumventing the ethical problems associatedwith embryonic stem cells, cord stem cells are safer andmore cost-effective. While the embryo-derived cells can giverise to tumors, the cord cells are sufficiently developed {"dif-ferentiated") not to pose this threat. Yet they are sufficientlyundeveloped to avoid triggering immune rejection in their newhost. Abundant and easy to harvest, these are the stem cellsof choice for clinical practitioners to provide their desperatepatients.

Dr. Steenblock's nonprofit Steenblock Research Institute hasaccrued case histories and documentation on more than 125patients treated with human umbilical cord stem cells {hUCSC)in Mexico. It provides technical support and data analysis toresearch-oriented hUCSC therapy programs there, including thepioneering practice of Fernando Ramirez, M.D.

Working at the Spinal Cord Regeneration Center in Tijuana,Mexico, Dr. Ramirez has used hUCSC to treat more than 40children and young adults with cerebral palsy, via subcutane-ous injection near the belly button. This condition seems torespond well to the therapy, as does traumatic brain injury andacute stroke of recent occurrence {up to three days). Multiplesclerosis and early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)cases appear to be marginal responders—often improvementsoccur, but some are lost to disease progression. Chronic stroke{beginning past 3 days) and later-stage ALS are so far poorresponders. The book covers many fascinating case histories. Istrongly recommend tt.

Total Health Management for Brain LongevityThe coming technologies of stem cell transplantation andgrowth factor development will undoubtedly advance progresstoward ameliorating brain disorders and extending produc-tive lifespan. However, v r̂hile very exciting, they are unlikely bythemselves to halt or reverse progressive brain decline.

Predictably, certain mainstream commercial interests arepursuing individual growth factors or growth factor regulatorsas potential monotherapies, following the same old "magicbullet" health strategy that has failed so many times. Maybethey'll get lucky. But the first requirement for reversing braindecline is total health management (THM) ofthe brain. In sum-mary, THM means living actively by:© Exercising body, mind and spirit© Avoiding chemical and physical

toxic stressors, as well as emotional stress

Volume 28, No. 1 TOTAL HEALTH 19

@ Using nutrients to optimize thelife functions, especially thosenutrients proven very safe to use(orthomolecules)

@ Making the necessary {sometimeschallenging) lifestyle changes tosupport this personal commitment

@ Working with an integrative healthpractitioner trained to assess totalhealth, when professional helpbecomes necessary

© Turning to pharmaceuticals andother potentially toxic, life-threaten-ing interventions only as a lastresort.

The Top Ten Practices of Total HealthManagement are detailed in my newbook PS (PhosphatidylSerine), Nature'sBrain Booster, available through thismagazine. Practice Number l is AvoidToxic Agents. We need to take decisiveaction to eliminate {not merely restrict,per toothless regulation) such toxinsas mercury, lead, other heavy metals,PCBs, dioxins, and the plethora of petro-leum derivatives that currently polluteour environment.

Dietary Supplements Are Essential toBrain RebuildingTotal Health Management PracticeNumber 9 is Develop Your PersonalDietary Supplement Program. To begin,everyone—yes, everyone—needs to havea basic supplement program, one thatinvolves (at the minimum) a potent mul-tivitamin-mineral supplement that willrequire at least four capsules for an ade-quate daily intake. Long-chain omega-3fatty acids and extra antioxidants are alsohighly indicated for a basic supplementprogram.

Next, for those among us who arehaving brain problems come the topthree brain nutrients proven to sup-port growth factor action in the brain.These are PS {PhosphatidylSerine), GPC(GlyceroPhosphoCholine), and ALCAR(AcetylCarnitine). All three can up-regulate cell surface receptors for NGF;

numerous double blind clinical trialsprove they support functional restorationin the damaged brain. All three are saidto be brain trophic, that is, growth-nour-ishing for the brain.

Last but not least, come two othernutrients thoroughly documented as notmere antioxidants but also as essen-tial energy enzyme cofactors. CoenzymeQio {CoQ) and alpha lipoic acid, R-form(AtJ\R) both protect the brain and helpenergize it. These are excellent syner-gists with the above mentioned PS, GPC,and ALCAR that have growth-promotingactivity. Therefore, we have the Big Fivebrain nutrients, all clinically effective,very well-tolerated, and safe to take evenfor long periods:

The Big Five brain nutrients build onthe basic supplement program. To ensurethe most optimal metabolic processingof these nutrients, it is essential to fol-low your basic program with discipline.For the person who is relatively brain

linked to brain diseases. Transplantationof cells and infusion of growth factors intothe brain and spinal column have shownpromise against major nervous systemdiseases. This could well be the "Centuryofthe Brain."

The dogma or scientific consensusbehind the earlier brain paradigm wasthat our brains carried only terminal-ly developed cells, unable to multiplyand make nev̂ ' cells. Novi' that it hasbeen proven that humans have brainstem cells, and that human brain growthfactors can be used to generate newbrain circuits, the new dogma is that thehuman brain can repair itself We justhave to help it along.

But high-tech brain rebuilding (callit brain engineering) is still experimen-tal, risky and expensive. The San DiegoAlzheimer's trial was just the beginning.The clinical work with stem cells beingpioneered in Mexico deserves main-stream support and taxpayer funds for

PS (PhosphatidylSerine)

GPC (GlyceroPhosphoCholine)

ALCAR (AcetylCarnitine)

CoQ {Coenzyme Qio)

ALA {Alpha-Lipoic Acid) {R-form)

100-300 mg/day with meals

600-1200 mg/day between meals

750-1000 mg/day between meals

360-1200 mg/day with meals

300-1200 mg/day with meals

healthy and may just need enhancedmaintenance, the lower intake ranges ofthe Big Five may prove useful, especiallywhen all five are supplemented. But forsomeone with a serious condition, thehigher intakes are more likely to producenoticeable benefits.

Century ofthe Brain:Making Our Own ContributionsThis relatively young 2ist century hasalready witnessed a paradigm change con-cerning the human brain, just within thepast decade, it has been proven that thehuman brain is far more adaptable andregenerative than previously thought. Theautomation of gene analysis (genomics)has accelerated the identification of genes

larger-scale investigations. For those of uswho are already having trouble and needbenefit very soon, routine brain engineer-ing may come too late. But for the shortterm, there may be an easier way.

By nourishing our brain cells withthe Big Five and the basic supplemen-tal nutrients, by doing intensive mentaland physical exercise, and by practicingTotal Health Management, we have greatprospects to re-energize our brains, acti-vate our inherent stem cells and grovrthfactors, and achieve new levels of mentalcompetence. For professional guidancewe can get valuable help from an integra-tive physician. These are safe and afford-able steps to self-engineer our own brainrenewal, one cell at a time. •

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