Stem cells are the original (primordial) cells produced in the human body, with the capability to differentiate along any line or into any type of cell (Totipotent). They divide and multiply within the human body. The first stem cells originate within the developing embryo (blastocyst). These embryonic stem cells have to ultimately create the entire human body.
Umbilical stem cells are harvested from the umbilical cord of a full term live birth, not from an aborted fetus. This type of stem cell therapy or treatment involves the introduction of healthy new stem cells into the body to repair and replace damaged or lost cells.

Types of Stem Cells

Branyon Integrative Medical Group ONLY advocates the use of umbilical stem cells derived from live full term healthy births.

Whole Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy- Involves the use of stem cells derived from full term births which were donated with informed consent. It is customary that after the birth of a newborn child, the hospital destroys the waste products such as the umbilical cord and placenta. When permission is given by the parents, research goes forward and the umbilical cord is sent to the laboratory to be tested for many diseases and the different stem cells are harvested. Unlike embryonic or fetal stem cells, cord stem cells are programmed to rapidly support the development and growth of all body systems, and are pluripotent (capable of differentiating into every single specialized body cell.

Purified and Potentiated Cord Blood Stem Cell Therapy- Involves the use of proprietary protocols to remove the white and red blood cells from cord blood leaving only stem cells.  This process negates the risk of Graft versus Host disease and the need for type and cross matching of the patient's blood.  Post thaw viability is potentiated with special freeze media.

Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy- Involves the use of cells extracted from a five day old in vitro fertilized embryo.  The viability of this cell type is limited, because only small numbers of cells can be derived from an embryo.  They need to be expanded in the lab, currently with an animal intermediary which limits their use in humans.  Also, these cell lines are strictly regulated by the US Government.

Fetal Stem Cell Therapy- Involves the use of human fetuses aborted between the first and third month of conception.  Retrieval of fetal stem cells in adequate numbers is limited.

Adult Stem Cell Therapy- Involves the use of stem cells derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood, and some tissues.  Adult stem cells are understood to be 1/1000 as powerful as cord stem cells since they have endured age stresses, toxicity of daily living, and often disease.  Their use is limited by the risk of Graft versus Host disease and often a problem of finding an HLA-matched donor.

Fetal Sheep Stem Cells- Involves using fetal sheep cells from aborted sheep fetuses.  Once injected into the human body, these cells are short-lived and do not seem to replicate for a long period of time within the human body.