<p>In this interview, Dr. Rhonda Patrick talks to Dr. Frans Kuypers about his lab's discovery on how the human placenta is a rich source of pluripotent stem cells, and yet the placenta is thrown away after delivery.</p> <p class="p1">In this episode, we discuss...<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <ul> <li class="p1"> <strong>(00:00)</strong> Introduction<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li class="p1"><strong>(04:39)</strong> The human placenta as a source of hematopoietic cells</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(11:30)</strong> Pluripotent cells can differentiate into any cell in the human body</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(13:03)</strong> Public banking of abundant pluripotent placental stem cells</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(18:06)</strong> Therapeutic applications of stem cells</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(22:56)</strong> Stem cells as part of a physician's toolkit<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li class="p1"><strong>(28:56)</strong> Epigenetics of induced pluripotent stem cells</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(34:49)</strong> Biogenerators could use young cells to produce growth factors and other chemicals<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li> <li class="p1"><strong>(38:36)</strong> Transferring blood from young mice into old mice regenerates tissues using GDF11</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(43:32)</strong> Opportunities and challenges of banking stem cells</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(52:49)</strong> Stem cells could eliminate deaths due to lack of bone marrow donors</li> <li class="p1"><strong>(56:37)</strong> The way we fund research isn't optimal for society</li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you're interested in learning more, you can read the <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/episodes/frans-kuypers">full show notes here</a>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Join over 300,000 people and get the latest distilled information straight to your inbox weekly:</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/newsletter</a></span></p> <p><br /> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Become a FoundMyFitness premium member to get access to exclusive episodes, emails, live Q+A's with Rhonda and more:</span> <a href="https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.foundmyfitness.com/crowdsponsor</span></a></p>
Actionable Insights
1. Don’t Discard Placenta
Do not discard the placenta after delivery, as it is a rich, ethically sound source of pluripotent and hematopoietic stem cells, which are currently being thrown away about 3.9 million times a year in the US alone.
2. Store Your Own Placenta
Consider storing your own placenta for potential future personal use, such as when you are 80 years old, as it can provide cells that match your genetic background.
3. Advocate Placenta Banks
Advocate for the establishment of placenta banks to store enough placentas to create a diverse genetic resource that can match individuals who need stem cells for therapeutic applications.
4. Use Proper Placenta Storage
Do not attempt to store a placenta in a home freezer; proper technologies involving anti-freeze and liquid nitrogen are required to ensure the cells remain viable for future use.
5. Use Placenta as Bioreactor
Consider using young placental stem cells as ‘bioreactors’ to generate a complex mixture of growth factors and cytokines that can help damaged tissues regenerate and improve the environment for healing.
6. Support Placenta Tech Companies
Support and invest in companies like Pla Salus that are developing and commercializing technologies for placenta collection, freezing, and cell extraction to make these resources widely available.
7. Bank Placenta with Cord Blood
When considering cord blood banking, also explore options to bank the entire placenta or a portion of its cells, as it offers a superior and more versatile stem cell resource.
8. Pay for Private Banking
Be aware that private banking options for stem cells, including potentially placenta, exist where consumers pay an initial fee and an annual storage fee to preserve their own biological material.
9. Fund Health Research
Advocate for increased funding for basic, translational, and clinical research, as it is essential for developing new technologies and improving the quality of life for the global population.
10. Support Global Health
Support initiatives that provide proper nutrition and basic care in developing countries, as these simple interventions can significantly improve survival rates for preventable diseases.
11. Cultivate Gratitude Mindset
Cultivate a mindset of gratitude and privilege for the opportunities to contribute to research and positive change, as this can foster motivation and a sense of purpose.