Lately, it seems like more and more people I know are opting to try stem cell therapy, in one form or another, here in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Los Barriles and La Paz. As one of my favorite stem cell doctors in Cabo would say, new stem cell clinics are popping up like “popcorn”. I thought that was not only hilarious but very true. Clinics are heading here because we are not as restricted by our Mexican version of the FDA: COFEPRIS.
But here is the problem: Less restriction on practices means you can hear things from clinics that, as far as I can tell, may not have any credible research backing them. Please do not think I am about to start bashing clinics, I will not be mentioning specific businesses. But I think someone with some personal experience in using many different types of cells for different reasons, (ie ME), should tell you what they DO know from personal experience and from what the current research is saying.
If nothing else, this article will give you a place to start your own research and a place to find the right questions to ask your potential stem cell provider. Educate yourself and you can avoid being overcharged or even potentially damaged by your choice of cell. Use AI if you can and ask it if there is credible research on the type of cell they are offering.
I do not need to bad mouth any of our clinics here in the area because if there is no published evidence behind what they are telling you, you can make the right choice by yourself by using AI. To guess if you are being overcharged, look at their luxurious lobby and the number of visible support staff, to judge how much overhead cost is being built into your procedure price. Common sense will guide you.
There are available now in Los Cabos four main types of stem cells:
MUSE cells: Also known as Multi-lineage, Differentiating, Stress Enduring cells
Umbilical cord and placental cells: Reaped from medical waste donated by new mothers.
Autologous cells: Reaped from your own bone marrow, fat or bone.
Embryonic cells: Not sure where these are being obtained from,(and I received no answer when I asked that question), but they are for sale here at a high price.
For the record, I have only had direct personal experience in my own body using umbilical, placental and autologous cells. I have never put MUSE cells or embryonic cells in my system. These are the two types of cell in the list that are called “pluripotent”, meaning they can turn into any other type of cell in your body, including potentially multiplying cancer cells if you have any active tumors. Let’s define what each cell is and does first.
MUSE cells: These cells naturally exhibit pluripotency, can differentiate into various cell types, and do not form tumors, making them attractive for regenerative medicine applications without the ethical concerns associated with embryonic stem cells. I have been able to locate a few credible published studies on this claim. They are IPSC skin cells, skin cells that have been reverted to the pluripotency stage.
A 2022 study by Ying Wang et al. Muse Cells: Ushering in a New Era of Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Stroke, focused on the application of Muse cells in stroke therapy. It highlights their ability to home to damaged brain tissue, differentiate into neural cells, and promote functional recovery without tumorigenesis, positioning them as a safe and effective option for treating stroke and potentially other neurological disorders.
Umbilical cord and placental cells: These cells are not identical but similar in many ways but the use cases are slightly different. Umbilical cells contain HSCs and MSCs, (hematopoietic and mesenchymal cells), while placental cells contain mostly MSCs and tropho-blast derived cells. There is credible research on umbilical cells for treating blood cancers, tissue repair and anti-aging therapies. Placental cells have been found to be useful in wound healing, inflammation control and tissue regeneration. In my own experience, both types have been used successfully by me to repair my L5-S1 vertebrae, (umbilical) and my cervical spine, (placental). I have also used umbilical cord cells as an IV for a general anti-aging treatment and I found that to be very helpful in reducing my overall levels of inflammation and pain.
In comparing umbilical cord-derived stem cells and MUSE cells, umbilical stem cells have a more extensive body of credible studies regarding their benefits and risks. They are also much more affordable.
Autologous stem cells are stem cells that are derived from your own body. The term autologous means “from the same individual,” and this distinction is crucial for minimizing immune rejection and ethical concerns. Types of autologous stem cells include Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) which are typically harvested from bone marrow, fat or your own blood. Can differentiate into bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat cells. They have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties and are by far the cheapest alternative of the four types of cell.
Induced Pluripotent stem cells: One local clinic claims to be using donated embryos and also to have developed a method to reprogram adult skin cells into pluripotent stem cells. I have found no credible research to support their claims.
I cannot adequately compare all the pros and cons of each of these stem cell types in a single 1,000-word article. Stay tuned for the next four articles and I will try to break down all the benefits, risks and costs associated with stem cell therapy available here in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, the East Cape and surrounding areas.
In the meantime, avail yourself of technology and ask AI. If you don’t know what to ask about, email me. I am also an artificial intelligence… a blond with her hair dyed red. Contact Robyn Littlewood at Whatapp +526242119435 or email ro*************@ya***.com