There's a proprietary supplement
Stem-Kine that purports to increase circulating stem cells.
Mikirova, Nina A., et al. "Circulating endothelial progenitor cells: a new approach to anti-aging medicine?." Journal of translational medicine 7.1 (2009): 106.Mikirova, Nina A., et al. "Nutraceutical augmentation of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and hematopoietic stem cells in human subjects." Journal of translational medicine 8.1 (2010): 34.The nutritional supplement Stem-Kine (Aidan Products, Chandler, AZ) contains: ellagic acid a polyphenol antioxidant found in numerous vegetables and fruits; vitamin D3 which has been shown to mildly increase circulating progenitor cells; beta 1,3 glucan (previous studies have reported administration of various beta glucans to elicit stem cell mobilization, and a ferment of the bacterium, Lactobacillus fermentum. Lactobacillus fermentum is generally regarded as safe, and has been in the food supply for hundreds of years as a starter culture for the production of sour dough bread and provides for its characteristic sour flavor. Extract of green tea, extract of goji berries, and extract of the root of astragalus were added prior to the fermentation process. Green tea extracts and some components of goji berries are known to mildly stimulate progenitor cell release, and astragalosides and other molecules found in the root of astragalus are known antioxidants that can prevent cellular damage secondary to oxidation.
StemTech HealthSciences has a
number of products (including one for pets!) sold via multi level marketing. Major ingredients include the cyanobacteria
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae,
seaweed
Undaria pinnatida (wakame), and fungus
Ophiocordyceps sinensis. The major paper appears to be:
Jensen, Gitte S., et al. "Mobilization of human CD34+ CD133+ and CD34+ CD133-stem cells in vivo by consumption of an extract from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae--related to modulation of CXCR4 expression by an L-selectin ligand?." Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine 8.3 (2007): 189-202.Natura Therapeutics is yet another company offering snak....stem cell supplements. Their formula appears to be blueberry & green tea extracts, catechin, carnosine, and vitamin D, as detailed in this paper:
Bickford, Paula C., et al. "Nutraceuticals synergistically promote proliferation of human stem cells." Stem cells and development 15.1 (2006): 118-123.I'm a bit dubious about the polyphenols in these supplements (in vivo redox cycling is a pretty scattershot way of modulating cell function), but vitamin D and beta-glucans (also in the Cordiceps) are pretty fascinating pluripotent compounds. At any rate, there are plenty of subjects for further research.
Edited by Darryl, 08 December 2013 - 09:02 AM.