Eat Right: Which Are the Best Foods for Stem Cell Growth?

Updated on June 4, 2023

Did you know that the loss of muscle stem cells is the main reason for muscle decline as you age? Your body needs to stay strong and youthful by maintaining the stem cells in your body. 

In this article, you’ll discover how to activate your stem cells by eating certain foods to boost your growth and help with aging. Read on to discover the best foods for stem cell growth. 

What Are Stem Cells?

All cells with specialized functions are generated from stem cells. Stem cells in labs can divide to form more cells called daughter cells. The daughter cells can become new stem cells or specialized cells. Stem cells are the only cell in your body to generate new cells. 

An example of a stem cell for humans is a fertilized egg, also known as a zygote. A zygote is a single cell that’s formed by the ovum and sperm combining. An example of a human stem cell is the blood stem cell.

When you think of a stem cell transplant, blood transplant, or bone marrow transplant, that’s the blood stem cell being transplanted. Also, recent research has shown that adult stem cells may hold the potential to repair spinal cord injuries and restore motor function.

Why Are Stem Cells Important?

Stem cells are important because they have the potential to repair and regenerate damaged tissue. An example of current therapy is bone marrow transplant. You can increase your stem cells through injections, surgery, regenerative medicine, or by eating certain foods. 

How Are Stem Cells Harvested?

Stem cells can be harvested from various sources, such as bone marrow, peripheral blood, and umbilical cord blood. Harvesting stem cells typically involves a medical procedure in which the stem cells are extracted from the donor’s body using a special needle.

In some cases, stem cells can also be obtained from the donor’s adipose tissue or other organs. Once harvested, the stem cells can be processed and stored for future use in medical treatments or stem cell research. Adult stem cell regeneration, for example, has shown promising results in repairing damaged tissues and treating various medical conditions.

Increase Stem Cells

You can increase stem cells by your lifestyle, proper nutrition, and acupuncture. When you eat healthy you can help promote cellular restoration. If you’d like to promote stem cells, reduce your sugar intake. The more sugar you eat, the less likely your stem cells will thrive. 

As far as your lifestyle goes, you always want to ensure you’re getting enough sleep, avoiding radiation, and using relaxation techniques. Exercise also increases the activation of your stem cells for muscle regeneration. 

Acupuncture has also been used to help your body heal itself. You may also try meticore for enhanced metabolism. 

Fasting

The key to regenerating stem cells can also be fasting. Always speak to your doctor first before deciding to fast. Researchers from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles found that prolonged fasting (not eating for 2-4 days) protects you from immune system damage, and promotes immune system regeneration.

It’s found that when a person fasts, their white blood cell counts decreased. This then leads to their body recycling old immune cells and starting the production of new immune cells. 

If you’d prefer not to fast, another way to help with cell regeneration is to increase your vitamin B3 intake. Vitamin B3 is also known as niacin. Your body breaks down B3 into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ is actually in every cell in your body. 

It helps send energy from foods we eat to mitochondria where it’s then converted to cellular energy. 

Decreases in NAD+ can lead to:

  • Fatigue 
  • Loss of muscle strength
  • Insulin resistance
  • Increased belly fat
  • Fatty liver
  • Inflammation of blood vessels
  • Brain degeneration

When you increase NAD+, that then increases the energy in mitochondria, which then boosts the regeneration of stem cells. Some great sources of niacin are eggs, chicken and turkey, wild-caught tuna and salmon, and grass-fed beef. 

Some of the best stem cell supplements, if you’re vegetarian or vegan are beets, leafy greens, nuts, peas, beans, and peanuts. 

1. Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries

If you’re a fan of blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries, they help build up the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD). This helps you reduce oxidative stress. Since they’re high in flavonoids, they repair cellular damage and reduce inflammation. 

2. Ginger Root

Ginger root helps upset stomachs and reduces inflammation. It inhibits the effects of arachidonic acid. 

3. Broccoli

Broccoli is high in sulforaphane which increases enzymes in the liver. This then neutralizes harmful chemicals you breathe. Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables contain indole-3-carbinol which reduces inflammation in the blood. 

4. Mushrooms

Mushrooms such as maitake and shiitake are high in polyphenols. They’re nutrients that help protect liver cells from damage when detoxified. Keeping your liver detoxified is important to fight inflammation since that’s where your body breaks down hormones and filters out toxins. 

5. Fatty Fish

Seafood contains what’s known as eicosapentaenoic acid. This is an anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acid. Oil in fish can be anti-inflammatory. 

6. Nuts

Nuts and seeds have protein and fats that keep you full for longer. Nuts contain alpha-linolenic acid which is an anti-inflammatory Omega-3. Seeds have plant sterols, which are anti-inflammatory as well.

7. Turmeric

Turmeric contains Aromatic turmerone. Turmeric helps stem cell growth. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. 

8. Eat Herbs

Herbs and their extracts can promote tissue regeneration for stem cell therapy. Some helpful herbs are Dipsacus asper, Foeniculum vulgare, and Dhanwantram kashaya. 

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera contains many vitamins and minerals along with many other compounds. It has also been shown to help with the mobilization of stem cells

10. Coffeeberry Fruit Extract

Coffeeberry fruit is tart but contains several antioxidants. It can also help increase your levels of stem cells in your body. It can also help with blood sugar and immune system support.

Dark Chocolate Drink for Stem Cells

In addition to the foods mentioned above, dark chocolate is also known to benefit stem cells. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which have been shown to promote stem cell activation and improve their function. Enjoying a dark chocolate drink can be a delicious way to support stem cell growth and overall health.

Discovering the Best Foods for Stem Cell Growth

Learning the best foods for stem cell growth helps you live your best and healthiest since they’re anti-inflammatory and help muscles rebuild. While worrying about stem cell growth can seem daunting, following these tips will lead to a higher likelihood of regrown and new stem cells. 

Would you like to learn more about food from meal plans to organic health benefits? Check out our other articles. 

+ posts

Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.

3 thoughts on “Eat Right: Which Are the Best Foods for Stem Cell Growth?”

Comments are closed.