Simple Technique Boosts the Activity of Your Stem Cells

Chances are, you have heard about the regenerative and healing abilities of your body's stem cells. Stem cells have the capacity to replace any lost cell due to natural wear and tear, injury, or illness. However, as people age, the effectiveness of stem cells in carrying out this function diminishes. To maintain good health, these struggling stem cells need a boost, but how can this be achieved?

Researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine believe they have discovered a relatively simple method to address this issue by focusing on a common mineral.

Iron's Impact on Stem Cells

Hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow are responsible for producing all red and white blood cells as well as other essential blood components. With aging, HSCs face challenges in generating new blood cells, leading to chronic inflammation, early onset of blood cancers, and the advancement of degenerative diseases.

Revitalizing HSCs could have significant implications, and a potential method for achieving this was uncovered through an unexpected finding.

In 2018, stem cell biologists at Albert Einstein College in New York studied the effects of a drug used to treat thrombocytopenia, a condition characterized by low blood count resulting from bone marrow failure. Surprisingly, they found that the drug binds to iron in HSCs and eliminates it.

This removal of iron led to the stimulation of HSCs by bone marrow stem cells in mice. Examination of human bone marrow samples also showed a threefold increase in the frequency of HSCs when treated with the drug compared to a similar drug that does not bind to iron.¹

This significant and unforeseen discovery prompted further investigation, culminating in a new study aimed at understanding the effects of excess and restricted iron on HSCs and how limiting iron contributes to the maintenance of these stem cells' health.

Boosting Stem Cells' Potential

The research team observed that an excess of intracellular iron triggers inflammation within HSCs, pushing them towards dormancy—an inactive state where cell functions are significantly reduced, similar to animal hibernation. Dormancy limits the ability of HSCs to replicate and produce a sufficient quantity of high-quality blood cells.

Conversely, when iron levels are limited, HSCs can multiply readily and respond effectively when additional blood components are needed. Yun-Ruei Kao, the primary author of the study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell in March, explained that "iron restriction controls and preserves the regenerative capacity of stem cells - their ability to divide and differentiate into blood cells."²

The researchers discovered that in young mice, low iron triggers a molecular response in HSCs that temporarily enhances fatty acid metabolism, reinforcing genetic programs in HSCs after they have multiplied.

However, in aged mice, HSCs had elevated iron levels, hampering the activation of this fatty acid metabolism pathway.

Enhanced Regenerative Capacity with Low Iron

The researchers investigated whether using a drug that binds to or eliminates iron could boost blood cell production in mice. When 6-month-old (middle-aged) mice were given an iron chelator for 13 months (well into old age), the animals' HSCs showed up to a tenfold increase in regenerative capacity compared to the control group.³

Lead researcher of the study, Britta Will, affirmed, "We have demonstrated that the decline in HSC function is not inevitable and seems to be reversible. By reducing iron levels within the cell using a clinically available drug, we were able to rejuvenate a youthful pool of HSCs in older mice. This straightforward treatment approach shows promise in addressing aging-related diseases, chronic inflammatory conditions, and blood cancers."

Considering Iron Intake

Given that iron deficiency and aging often coincide, doctors typically advise seniors to take supplements or consume iron-rich foods to prevent anemia. Dr. Will agrees because iron metabolism can deteriorate with age, leading to iron deficiency in certain organs while causing iron overload in others, including the bone marrow.

However, as previously discussed, excessive iron accelerates aging, highlighting the importance of regular blood tests to ensure adequate iron intake to prevent anemia without overloading the body.

Furthermore, Dr. Will pointed out, "To our knowledge, this is the first time a non-invasive strategy has successfully rejuvenated stem cells." However, this statement is not entirely accurate.

In 2019, Christian Drapeau, a pioneer in stem cell research, and colleagues published findings demonstrating a 24.2 percent increase in HSCs after just two hours in the blood of human participants. This increase was observed following supplementation with sea buckthorn berry, available in the company's anti-aging supplement.