Healthcare is perhaps the most important component of a lot of people’s lives. Today, in our post-Covid pandemic world, many Americans are revisiting their lifestyle choices and recalibrating their goals. One area of medical treatment, stem cells, recently became an interest of mine.
Initially, medical tourism caught my attention; I knew and heard about a lot of people that traveled off shore for treatments not currently available in the U.S. Of course, as we get older, we know we can’t stop time but stem cell treatment has transformed the way some people look at aging, and the way we view sports rehabilitation.
As the science of aging gets more advanced, new innovative treatments may slow down the aging process. Indeed, athletes have sought treatments that potentially extended their careers. Many important figures in high-impact sports such as Peyton Manning, Jim McMahon, UFC Champions like Chuck Liddell and Frank Mir, and Ken Shamrock have pursued stem cell treatments. Playing these professional sports requires constant training to maintain peak performance — and that takes a toll on the body. These athletes also face the risk of injuries that can cause lingering pain for years.
Whether it is the NFL or boxing — stem cells can have an effect. Looking at former UFC Champion Frank Mir or a quarterback like Peyton Manning, whose careers were likely extended due to following stem cell treatment.
People often ask what stem cell treatment does. There are many different types of stem cells and treatment protocols. Recent research shows that one type of stem cell, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cords contain potent healing properties. But these cells must be cultured and expanded into infusions of millions of cells to best promote healing and control inflammation. Today, the FDA doesn’t allow U.S. clinics to offer such treatment.
While high-potent stem cell therapy may not be available domestically, clinics like BioXcellerator and Stem Cell Institute have grown in popularity, not just among professional athletes but with U.S military veterans.
Not all stem cells are alike but stem cells can work with the body’s natural repair process. When former UFC Champion Frank Mir made a professional boxing debut recently he credited Bioxcellerator in Colombia with the stem cell treatment to extend his career. Yes, these treatments are expensive. But many people prioritize spending on maintaining their health and wellness. I believe that as the impact and trend of stem cell treatment expands, it will be impossible to ignore how popular this is becoming.
As discussions revolve around the future of healthcare, policy makers should look at pathways to better understand and study the potential benefits of stem cells. This may include expanding access or partnerships with stem cell companies to ensure patients — whether average people, veterans, or sports figures — have access to the best options available to attain their health goals.