Healthy Living

Extensive studies on stem cell therapy show how cord blood use and benefits had gone a long way. First known in the medical field as an alternative stem cell source for bone marrow transplants, reports show that around 80 diseases had already been treated from successfully made transplants. It was found to contain thousands of stem cells that are responsible for the body’s immunity to diseases and blood circulation system. Researchers are incessantly being conducted to discover the full medical benefits that may be derived from this valuable discovery.

Through the years, cord blood stem cell transplants have become a standard of care for hematopoietic or also known as blood forming reconstitution. With the recent medical breakthroughs, transplants have become less painful and finding compatible donors has become much easier. These stem cells are younger in nature, thus is accepted easier by the host’s body than those found in marrow. In addition, compared with bone marrow transplants, a perfect match of tissue types is not required. The first unrelated cord blood transplant was made in 1993 at Duke University.

Cord blood transplants are known to have treated diseases such cancer, anemia, leukemia, and other immune system disorders. During the transplant, the placental blood stem cells are injected into the patient’s bone marrow. This is where they will regenerate and multiply to develop different cell types including blood cells and immune cells for the patient’s faster recovery and better health. Further studies show that even chemotherapy patients and those that are treated with radiation to destroy cancer cells also benefits from placental blood stem cells.  These stem cells can also offer cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Researches also show that placental blood stem cells have demonstrated the ability to transform into blood vessel cells. This can help in the treatment of patients with heart diseases.