Aging Disease

In reality, the state of natural aging should be classified as a disease, for scientists and researchers agree that genetically, humans are programmed to live up to 120 years or more.

Yet, in reality, "Western" civilized humans live to be around 80 or thereabouts. However, living to be 120 or so is possible, but is most often disrupted by three significant health influencers:

1. Severe illness,
2. Severe trauma,
3. Aging disease.

The first two contributors above are self-explanatory, but what about 'aging disease'?

1. An age-related decline of the body varies greatly amongst people, yet become less alike as they age.
2. All of us have at least one weak organ or organ system (sometimes more).
3. People age at different rates.

There are two major types of Aging Diseases:

1. Aging mechanisms accidental or random, and
2. Those that are planned.

For example, within a few years after purchasing a car, it begins to age because of accidents, normal wear, and tear, excessive wear and tear, or maybe improper care. And no matter how well you maintain the car, it will age, because aging is built-in by the manufacturers who purposely design cars to last 5 -10 years. And like our cars, we seem to age "by accident and design." It is not only that the stresses and strains and traumas of everyday life set off processes, which make us grow old, but there is also an internal mechanism that sets the limits to our respective lives.

Mother Nature does not need us to live forever. Our evolutionary and biological purpose is fulfilled once we have produced offspring. Evolution, biology, or Mother Nature is interested in only one thing: the survival of species. Once that is accomplished - once the children are old enough to take care of themselves - parents become useless as far as Mother Nature is concerned.

The "alarm" on our aging clock seems to be set somewhere between 35 and 40. Before that, our bodies have been in a state of dynamic equilibrium, or more specifically constantly renewing, rebuilding, and replacing every cell in the body. By scientific estimate, every seven years or so, nearly all molecules in the body are replaced by new molecules from the outside of the body.

When the age alarm sounds, replacement cells are not quite as good as the original cells. The homeostatic balance of growth, regeneration, and repair, versus trauma, destruction, and stress begins to slip away. For example:

• Our physiological functions begin to decline
• Our ability to adapt to, and survive in a changing environment decline.
• Throughout the body, the structure of tissues becomes disorganized
• More fat is deposited, with active tissue becoming hidden or lost.
• Individual cells increase in size but decrease in number by almost one-third. The connective tissue between cells, muscle fibers, and bones increases, becoming less elastic.
• The heart muscle and its valves lose more and more elasticity and strength.
• As the heart grows weaker, blood vessels become more rigid due to changes in the amount and nature of elastin and collagen in the walls, and calcium deposits cause clogging due to fatty deposits of atherosclerosis. Blood pressure rises
• In the kidneys, the number of working nephrons decreases 30 - 40 percent between ages 25 and 85, with the related loss of renal mass, particularly of the cortical layer. This leads to reduced renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, and performance of the tubular system.
• The vital capacity of the lungs decreases, while residual volume increases. The gas distribution irregularities and decreased compliance of the lungs cause a lowering of arterial oxygen tension.
• The diameter of the chest wall increases, but flexibility decreases. The maximum breathing capacity decreases steadily: in the 80s, it is one-half as compared with the 30s. From the age of 55 respiratory muscles begin to weaken.
• Of all functions of the digestive system, motility is affected by the aging process first. This leads to constipation, incontinence, and diverticulitis, which become a cause of many problems with digestion and absorption of nutrients. Production of digestive juices, with all the enzymes declines.
• Liver weight and blood flow decrease.
• The skin wrinkles, sags, and grows less and less elastic and drier. Healing takes longer. The hair thins and turns gray. Nail growth slows down.
• Loss of muscle cells and disorganization of muscle tissue causes a progressive reduction in muscle strength. Half of the muscle mass and maximum isometric contraction force is lost between the ages of 30 and 75. Joints deteriorate. Bones become weaker as more minerals are lost than replaced.
• Blood flow to the brain is reduced. Lost nerve cells are mostly not replaced. Connections between nerve cells are substantially diminished.
• Vision deteriorates as the lens and other parts of the eye become less transparent.
• Vision dims because of decreased adaptation to low light and dark.
• Senses of taste, touch, smell, and hearing grow weaker.
• Menopause appears in women, and loss of sexual potency in men.
• Psychometrically, reaction time slows, learning takes longer, and fading memory, in the short term in particular. The social skills and intellectual abilities of young years begin to slip away. There are personality changes. The gross motor and fine motor abilities and coordination deteriorate."

In treating Aging Disease experts have always believed in a complex approach for rejuvenation consisting of various biological therapies yet stem cell therapy has shown to be the most consistent and contributory therapy known to man!

Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells

Cord blood cells come from human umbilical cords after a full-term natural birth delivery. These cells generally number 100,000 to 300,000, but not enough for effective healing purposes. Skilled ProGenaCell scientists’ culture these cells in approved laboratories to upwards from 25-200 million cells.

These young, potent cells have the capability of traveling to injured, diseased, and degenerative areas of the body and powerfully bringing about healthy changes. With these cells, there are virtually no instances of graft versus host disease or rejection issues. Cord blood was used therapeutically for the first time in 1988. Since then, a host of laboratory and human-based studies have been undertaken that demonstrate cord-blood therapy is a viable means for treating various neurological diseases, autoimmune conditions, viral conditions, and various blood diseases.

Cord blood cells can self-renew and multiply resulting in new generations of cells. These new generations of cells can potentially replace any diseased or damaged organ cell. By healing damaged cells, the result can be a reversal of and restoration of the aging process. As we age, cells become old and can no longer replace themselves with healthy cells. Cell therapy works at the cellular level to induce cells to reproduce themselves at a minimum, and to repair or replace damaged cells with new cells.

The implications for a rapid and full recovery from everything from damaged brain cells to liver and kidney disease are enormous. We now have the potential to create healing where previously there was no hope of recovery.

Allogenic (aka human) cord blood stem cells are ProGenaCell's as its stem cell of choice, for the following reasons:

• Young, potent, and able to regenerate and restore damaged cells.
• Capable of changing in response to environmental or genetic factors.
• Easy adaptability (growth, migration, mobility, creation of cell-to-cell contacts).
• More frequent and faster cell division and differentiation.
• Produce large amounts of various growth factors.
• Low immunogenicity.
• Survive on energy supplied by glycolysis and low amounts of oxygen.

Promoting Heart Health

Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try walking, swimming, or other activities you enjoy. Regular moderate physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, and lessen the extent of arterial stiffening.

Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods, and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help you keep your heart and arteries healthy.

Don't smoke. Smoking contributes to the hardening of your arteries and increases your blood pressure and heart rate. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Manage stress. Stress can take a toll on your heart. Take steps to reduce stress or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.

Promoting Bone, Joint, and Muscle Health

Get adequate amounts of calcium. For adults ages 19 to 50 and men ages 51 to 70, the Institute of Medicine recommends 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day. The recommendation increases to 1,200 mg a day for women aged 51 and older and men aged 71 and older. Dietary sources of calcium include dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines, and soy products, such as tofu. If you find it difficult to get enough calcium from your diet, ask your doctor about calcium supplements.

Get adequate amounts of vitamin D. For adults ages 19 to 70, the Institute of Medicine recommends 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day. The recommendation increases to 800 IU a day for adults aged 71 and older. Although many people get adequate amounts of vitamin D from sunlight, this might not be a good source for everyone. Other sources of vitamin D include oily fish, such as tuna and sardines, egg yolks, fortified milk, and vitamin D supplements.

Include physical activity in your daily routine. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, tennis, and climbing stairs, and strength training can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss.

Avoid substance abuse. Avoid smoking and don't drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day.

Promoting Bladder and Urinary Tract Health

Go to the bathroom regularly. Consider urinating on a regular schedule, such as every hour. Slowly, extend the amount of time between your bathroom trips.

Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, lose excess pounds.

Don't smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.

Promoting Sharp Memory

Eat a healthy diet. A heart-healthy diet might benefit your brain. Focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, lean meat, and skinless poultry. What you drink counts, too. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.

Include physical activity in your daily routine. Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body, including your brain. This might help keep your memory sharp.

Stay mentally active. Mentally stimulating activities help keep your brain in shape — and might keep memory loss at bay. Do crossword puzzles. Take alternate routes when driving. Learn to play a musical instrument.

Be social. Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends, and others.