Unlocking New Avenues for Inside-Out Healing
Introduction to Extracellular Vesicle (ECV)/Nano Particle/Exosome Therapy
How I Discovered My Most Powerful, Personal Healing Experience
In 2015, I witnessed the excitement around regenerative medicine and became intrigued. There was a lot of buzz around biologic and stem cell-based therapies as an advancing medical science and for good reason. This very exciting, rapidly developing field is shaping the medicine of the future. I began researching and attending continuing education events to learn more. While attending a regenerative medicine conference in 2018, I was the lucky recipient of an infusion of stem-cell derived “exosomes”. I had been yearning to experience this for myself, since my approach to new therapies has always been “I will try it first and see if it works. Then I will offer it to my patients.”
What I did not expect were the startling, rapid and profound results.
Menopause had just entered my life, along with advancing pain in my hands despite the access I had to all the natural therapies that should have helped. It was only a 5-minute infusion process, but within 3 weeks my hands literally felt 20 years younger. There were other improvements in my skin, energy, and focus as well. I was stunned, thrilled, and now on a mission to share this with others. I had never experienced such a deep, cellular-based, full body response so quickly, in my then 30+ years of practice.
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Since then, I have witnessed similar, profound responses in many of my patients that have had the same therapy. My excitement to share such a dynamic opportunity for healing with these transformative biologic messengers inspires me to stay current with the latest research, which is rapidly catching up to explain the science behind my own amazing experience. - Dr. Carol Petherbridge ND
What Are EVs, Nano Particles And Exosomes?
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), also called nano particles or exosomes, are naturally produced and secreted from most living cells in our body. These tiny packages or bubbles contain various bioactive molecules or cargo, including proteins, nucleic acids, and growth factors that play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication and contribute to cellular repair and regeneration. Think of these as microscopic delivery trucks carrying important instructions and materials to our construction workers on site that are busy repairing damaged areas of our body.
Here's how these potent particles function in the body:
Traveling to the Target
These tiny packages are naturally attracted to inflammation and travel to the areas that are most in need of repair, which can lead to quicker and more effective recovery.
Reducing Inflammation
They help resolve inflammation, which is a common consequence of chronic disease. By reducing pain and swelling, we feel more comfortable and can experience a smoother healing process.
Repairing Tissues
In essence, these tiny packages use the body's own natural repair mechanisms to help heal injuries and regenerate tissues more efficiently
Delivering Cargo
They carry essential molecules like proteins, RNA, growth factors, and other bioactive substances. These molecules act as messengers with tools that tell the damaged cells what to do to start healing and restore normal function.
Promoting Cell Growth
They encourage the growth of new, healthy cells by providing the necessary instructions and materials for building new tissue. Thus, improving the overall function of the affected area. This is indispensable in countering age-related wear and tear.
Sounds great, right? Here’s the bad news.
WE ARE SLOWLY BECOMING ZOMBIES!
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As we age, all of our cells including our stem cells also age, becoming less efficient and versatile. This can begin to show as early as a person’s 20-30s. In fact, there is robust research investigating the process where our old, senescent, or “zombie” cells begin to make EVs that cause the neighboring cells around them to become old and turn into zombies too. Yikes!
YOUNG MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES TO THE RESCUE (Say that quickly three times!)
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Stem cell exhaustion is considered a hallmark of aging. Our aging adult cells lose the potency to ignite regeneration like they did before. Younger cells have more capacity to heal and repair. In a fascinating study, old Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) were incubated with young Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived EVs. This caused a decrease in aging markers and increased the stem cell’s ability to develop into many different types of cells or tissues in the body. The older cells became younger again. One of the richest sources for these young, MSC-derived EVs is from healthy, full-term, c-section delivered birth products like the umbilical cord or placenta. We are fortunate that there are scientific labs in the U.S. with the mission to provide ethical sources of these life-changing human birth tissue products.
We live in an inspiring time when the hope and promise of regenerative medicine is truly becoming a reality.
With this emerging field of science, safety should be the top priority. Insist on the most ethical, highest-quality lab when utilizing biologic products. Those cutting corners to make cheaper products may be putting you at risk. Dr. Carol has a strict list of requirements that she recommends MUST be met.
Ensure Your Sources Are:
â—‰ AATB accredited (The American Association of Tissue Banks).
â—‰ cGMP certified (Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA).
â—‰ An FDA registered tissue bank and following all regulatory guidelines.
â—‰ Utilizing above industry standard testing by third-party labs to ensure purity and safety.
â—‰ The original lab creating the product, not a distributor of someone else’s product.
â—‰ Utilizing regional providers to process within 12 hours to avoid freezing before processing.
â—‰ Bio-ethically manufactured.
â—‰ Carefully screening and testing both mother and baby for optimal health.
â—‰ Committed to furthering the science of this field with research and clinical trials.
It is important to note that while EVs as a therapy holds great promise, individual responses may vary. Optimal preparation can have a tremendous impact on your results. Before considering this option, we suggest a thorough health assessment as outlined in Step 1 of the Freedom Regenerative Medicine’s Advanced Wellness Program. Dr. Carol is happy to educate, inform, and support you as you explore this life-changing opportunity and how it aligns with your wellness and longevity goals.
Disclaimer: HCT/P (human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products) are not approved by the FDA. Human cell & tissue products are not a cure for any condition, disease, or injury. The information we communicate is not medical advice. It is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. It’s important for you to do your own research so that you can make an informed decision.