STEM CELL ENHANCEMENT THROUGH NUTRITION & SUPPLEMENTS

Over the years I have developed two very potent vitamin C products. These are PRO-C and Ultimate Protector+. Both contain large amounts of vitamin C, antioxidants, and Nrf2 activators. Our customers (and we ourselves) get outstanding results when using these products.

Senescence, or biological aging, causes gradual deterioration of functional characteristics. “Senescence” can refer to cellular senescence or senescence of the entire body.

New research shows vitamin C alleviates the senescence roadblock to cellular reprogramming. In addition, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) generation is improved by vitamin C.  We now have new ways of understanding the reasons PRO-C and Ultimate Protector+ work effectively to support optimal health.

New Stem Cell Research

Stem cells are cells with the potential to develop into many different types of cells in the body. They serve as a repair system for the body. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.

Stem cells are different from other cells in the body in three ways:

1) They can divide and renew themselves over a long period of time, 2) They are unspecialized, so they cannot do specific functions in the body, 3) They have the potential to become specialized cells, such as muscle cells, blood cells, and brain cells.

Adult stem cells are more specialized than embryonic stem cells. Typically, adult stem cells can generate different cell types for the specific tissue or organ in which they live.

For example, blood-forming (or hematopoietic) stem cells in the bone marrow can give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. However, blood-forming stem cells do not generate liver cells, lung cells, or brain cells.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are cells produced by converting tissue-specific cells, such as skin cells, into cells that behave like embryonic stem cells. iPSC cells share many of the same characteristics of embryonic stem cells, including the ability to give rise to all the cell types in the body.

Much of the research on iPSC is being done in the lab. If a method of converting adult stem cells to iPSC could be found by working with the body through nutrition, then many of the negative effects of stem cells produced outside of the body could be avoided.

Stem Cells and Vitamin C

Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find a research paper titled “Vitamin C Enhances the Generation of Mouse and Human Induces Pluripotent Stem Cells.” (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1934590909006249; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2009.12.001)

Here are the summary and highlights of the paper:

Summary: Somatic cells can be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by defined factors. However, the low efficiency and slow kinetics of the reprogramming process have hampered progress with this technology. Here we report that a natural compound, vitamin C (Vc), enhances iPSC generation from both mouse and human somatic cells. Vc acts at least in part by alleviating cell senescence, a recently identified roadblock for reprogramming. In addition, Vc accelerates gene expression changes and promotes the transition of pre-iPSC colonies to a fully reprogrammed state. Our results therefore highlight a straightforward method for improving the speed and efficiency of iPSC generation and provide additional insights into the mechanistic basis of the reprogramming process.

Highlights:

► Vitamin C improves the speed and efficiency of mouse iPS generation

► Adding vitamin C converts pre-iPSCs to iPSCs

► Vitamin C alleviates the senescence roadblock to reprogramming

► Human iPSC generation is also improved by vitamin C

Below are four abstracts from other research studies regarding vitamin C, stem cells, and genetics:

1) Retinol and Ascorbate Drive Erasure of Epigenetic Memory and Enhance Reprogramming to Naïve Pluripotency by Complementary Mechanisms
PMID: 27729528 PMCID: PMC5086989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1608679113

Abstract: Epigenetic memory, in particular DNA methylation, is established during development in differentiating cells and must be erased to create naïve (induced) pluripotent stem cells. The ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes can catalyze the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and further oxidized derivatives, thereby actively removing this memory. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which the TET enzymes are regulated, and the extent to which they can be manipulated, are poorly understood. Here we report that retinoic acid (RA) or retinol (vitamin A) and ascorbate (vitamin C) act as modulators of TET levels and activity. RA or retinol enhances 5hmC production in naïve embryonic stem cells by activation of TET2 and TET3 transcription, whereas ascorbate potentiates TET activity and 5hmC production through enhanced Fe2+ recycling, and not as a cofactor as reported previously. We find that both ascorbate and RA or retinol promote the derivation of induced pluripotent stem cells synergistically and enhance the erasure of epigenetic memory. This mechanistic insight has significance for the development of cell treatments for regenenerative medicine, and enhances our understanding of how intrinsic and extrinsic signals shape the epigenome.

2) Reprogramming the Epigenome With Vitamin C
PMID: 31380368 PMCID: PMC6646595 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00128

Abstract: The erasure of epigenetic modifications across the genome of somatic cells is an essential requirement during their reprogramming into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Vitamin C plays a pivotal role in remodeling the epigenome by enhancing the activity of Jumonji-C domain-containing histone demethylases (JHDMs) and the ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins. By maintaining differentiation plasticity in culture, vitamin C also improves the quality of tissue specific stem cells derived from iPSCs that are highly sought after for use in regenerative medicine. The ability of vitamin C to potentiate the activity of histone and DNA demethylating enzymes also has clinical application in the treatment of cancer. Vitamin C deficiency has been widely reported in cancer patients and has recently been shown to accelerate cancer progression in disease models. Therapies involving high-dose vitamin C administration are currently gaining traction in the treatment of epigenetic dysregulation, by targeting aberrant histone and DNA methylation patterns associated with cancer progression.

3) Vitamin C in Stem Cell Reprogramming and Cancer
PMID: 29724526 PMCID: PMC6102081 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2018.04.001

Abstract: Vitamin C is an essential dietary requirement for humans. In addition to its known role as an antioxidant, vitamin C is a cofactor for Fe2+- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe2+/α-KGDDs) which comprise a large number of diverse enzymes, including collagen prolyl hydroxylases and epigenetic regulators of histone and DNA methylation. Vitamin C can modulate embryonic stem cell (ESC) function, enhance reprogramming of fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and hinder the aberrant self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) through its ability to enhance the activity of either Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing histone demethylases or ten-eleven translocation (TET) DNA hydroxylases. Given that epigenetic dysregulation is a known driver of malignancy, vitamin C may play a novel role as an epigenetic anticancer agent.

4) The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Health and Disease
PMID: 26846695 PMCID: PMC4805483 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2145-x

Abstract: Recent advances have uncovered a previously unknown function of vitamin C in epigenetic regulation. Vitamin C exists predominantly as an ascorbate anion under physiological pH conditions. Ascorbate was discovered as a cofactor for methylcytosine dioxygenases that are responsible for DNA demethylation, and also as a likely cofactor for some JmjC domain-containing histone demethylases that catalyze histone demethylation. Variation in ascorbate bioavailability thus can influence the demethylation of both DNA and histone, further leading to different phenotypic presentations. Ascorbate deficiency can be presented systematically, spatially and temporally in different tissues at the different stages of development and aging. Here, we review how ascorbate deficiency could potentially be involved in embryonic and postnatal development, and plays a role in various diseases such as neurodegeneration and cancer through epigenetic dysregulation.

More Ways to Enhance Stem Cell Production

Simply providing the body with nutrients and methods for enhancing and protecting the stem cells a body already produces can be another way of allowing the body to heal itself. Here are some proven methods:

1. PROPER NUTRITION can help increase the proliferation and growth of stem cells. Research shows that certain superfoods (like spirulina and chlorella) can promote cellular restoration.
   
   Here is a paper titled “Spirulina Promotes Stem Cell Genesis and Protects against LPS Induced Declines in Neural Stem Cell Proliferation.”
   (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2864748/)
   
   Note: Our REJUVENATE! PLUS superfood contains spirulina and chlorella, providing dietary RNA and synergistic nutrients supporting optimal health.
   

   
   Another key change you can make to your diet to enhance stem cell function is reduce sugar intake. Elevated glucose reduces proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells. This means that the more sugar you consume, the less likely your stem cells are to thrive.

   You can also try intermittent fasting or cutting calories. Studies show that short-term calorie restriction leads to enhanced stem cell availability and activity in mice.
   
   

2. LIFESTYLE impacts your body’s internal environment in which stem cells thrive. This includes anything from getting enough sleep, relaxation techniques, and avoiding radiation. It is no surprise exercise alone increases activation and proliferation of stem cells for muscle regeneration.
   
   
3. ACUPUNCTURE has been shown to increase the body’s ability to mobilize its own stem cell production and healing properties. Consider finding a licensed acupuncture practitioner.