Cerebral Palsy and Regenerative Medicine

By David Steenblock, M.S., D.O.

"The obstacle is the path." Zen Proverb

3. Avoid sweets and high glycemic index foods. Sugar foods can increase bacteria and lead to increased infections. Sugar is also a refined carbohydrate that quickly increases insulin requirements (high glycemic index), leading to hyperglycemia and an increased risk of oxyradical production and cell injury.

4. Avoid food additives that include the following: artificial coloring (associated with cancer risk), aspartame (associated with excitatory neurotransmitters), Brominated Vegetable Oil (potential risk), BHA and BHT (potential risk), concentrated caffeine (associated with fibrocystic breast disease), carrageenan (associated with colon obstruction), Corn syrup, Dextrose, Invert sugar and Sucrose (high glycemic index and insulin dysregulation), Heptyl Paraben (potential risk), Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (associated with immune impairment), Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP) (contains MSG – associated with promotion of excitatory neurotransmitters, nerve damage, burning sensations, headache), Phosphoric acid and Phosphates (associated with osteoporosis risk), Propyl Gallate (potential cancer risk), Quinine (associated with birth defects), Saccharin (associated with cancer risk), Sodium Chloride (associated with heart disease), Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate (associated with cancer risk), Sulfur Dioxide, Sodium Bisulfide (a bleach associated with allergies and B1 deficiency). (Tefft, 2002)

E. Adjunct Therapies and Stem Cell Growth

For over twelve years, Dr. Steenblock at the Brain Therapeutics Medical Clinic has worked to create an effective, comprehensive program in brain repair utilizing hyperbaric oxygen and adjunct therapies. He found that various therapies worked synergistically to improve function in his patients. These same adjunct therapies have recently been shown to promote stem cell growth and/or differentiation. Electrical stimulation can promote the growth of nerves (Schmidt, 1997), electromagnetic therapies can promote stem cell differentiation (Sauer, 1999), acupuncture at specific points can promote stem cell growth in the hippocampus – the area of learning and memory (Kim, 2002) and fairly intense physical therapy workouts (exercise) can increase the proliferation and number of new neurons (Palmer, 2001).

F. Endogenous Stem Cell Home Maintenance Programs

Regeneration is a wholistic approach to living that include body-mind-spirit integration. Various factors have been shown to promote health and wellness and the mechanism involved may be the promotion of neural stem growth and differentiation.

Behavioral factors that stimulate stem cell growth include:

1.  Learning.
Learning increases the number of new neurons (Palmer, 2001). Learning new information, going to different places, seeing something from different points of view all require new stem cells to hold the new memories. Stem cells may then replicate and spread through the brain, all carrying the same idea. Thus electrical stimulation to different parts of the brain can elicit the same memory.

2. Exercise.
Exercise increases the number of new neurons (Palmer, 2001). Exercise induces temporary hypoxia (lack of oxygen) which stimulates VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) to create new blood vessels to meet the increase in oxygen demand. Complex movements are also more effective in stimulating new neurons than simple movements. Complicated movements such as gymnastics and dance promote a greater increase in learning and brain integration (Vuillerme, 2001).

The absence of stress promotes new stem cells and neurons (Palmer, 2001).
Have you ever tried to remember something under stress and your mind went on tilt? Stress produces chemicals (catecholamines that stimulate excitatory neurotransmitters – glutamate and aspartate) that kill off stem cells and new neurons. Stress can also be due to physical causes such as pollution, infections, accidents, chemical toxins, heavy metals, etc. The same “stress chemicals” are stimulated, making it difficult for stem cells to grow and survive. Foods and natural supplements that are rich in antioxidants can help protect stem cells and new neurons against injury and death.

3. The neurotransmitter Serotonin is associated with calmness.
Increased levels of serotonin are associated with an increase in new neurons whereas serotonin deficiency is accompanied by a decrease in neural stem cell growth (Palmer, 2001). Serotonin promoting foods include brown rice, wild rice, barley, tabbouleh, couscous, oats, millet, corn, amaranth, squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, yams, carrots, onions, garlic, turnips, celery, and radishes.

Activities that promote serotonin, relaxation and parasympathetic maintenance and repair include guided imagery, meditation, massage, positive relationships, feelings of love, gratitude, etc. and appreciating each moment that life offers us. We are beginning to see common threads between stem cell research and wisdom practices of ancient cultures.

A good night’s sleep that begins before 10pm.
Growth hormone stimulates maintenance and repair processes. The general sleep cycle shows increased secretion of growth hormone from 10pm to midnight, giving validity to the saying that the best sleep is before midnight. It is also important that children not go to sleep emotionally upset, since that will promote excitatory neurotransmitters that destroy the new stem cells and neurons.

Growth hormone can be enhanced by garlic and red grape seeds (pycnogenol). Phospholipids in soy lecithin, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, and Savoy have also been found to increase growth hormone and Nerve Growth Factor and can be included in meals at dinner time.

4. Regardless of obstacles, keep hope alive.
Positive thinking and working towards a goal little by little, step by step produces greater vitality than waiting or thinking nothing can be done. Associate with upbeat friends, read inspiring books, and where ever possible, think “outside the box”. We are expanding our collective concepts of disease, disability and aging and the limitations we had yesterday do not apply to the possibilities unfolding today. Together, we can make a new reality for treating disabilities and disease.

For further information on umbilical cord-derived stem cell therapies, visit our website at http://www.stemcelltherapies.org. For questions about our referral program in Mexico, please call Dr. Payne at (949) 248-7034.

20 minutes of fresh air and sunlight daily; sleep by 10ish, 30 minutes of exercise daily, 30 minutes of mental stimulation daily; and 30 minutes of acts of loving kindness daily!

6-8 glasses daily of pure water and green tea and vegetable juices (except tomato juice) two hours before or after meals (prevents diluting digestive enzymes). Do not combine breads with meats; vegetables with fruits; or meats with fruits. Eat smaller servings.

The following foods as free of pesticides, preservatives and heavy metals as possible (look for organic foods).

For Stem Cell Research References Click Here!