Dr. Adeel Khan, a longevity and chronic pain expert, discusses gene-editing via stem cells as the future of medicine, the flaws in restriction-based dieting, the physiological basis behind depression, and new insights into longevity. They explore regenerative medicine, the adaptive capabilities of the immune system and stem cells, and advancements in regenerative medicine for cancer treatment. They also touch on the influence of pharmaceutical companies, the challenges faced by doctors, ancient Greek medicine, and the link between depression and inflammation. Finally, they discuss reversible plasma gene therapy and its potential applications, and the advancements in medicine through cell and gene therapy.
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Quick takeaways
Regenerative medicine focuses on addressing the root cause of chronic health problems and aims to restore the body to a previous state of health, using molecules such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma.
Ultrasound-guided regenerative treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, offer effective pain relief for chronic pain conditions by targeting the source of pain and promoting tissue repair and regeneration.
Regenerative medicine is advancing rapidly with gene therapy, stem cell usage, and tissue engineering, holding great potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune conditions, and chronic pain.
Despite the promising solutions offered by regenerative medicine, the widespread adoption is hindered by regulatory challenges, stricter regulations in the United States, and the need for efforts to make these innovative therapies more affordable and accessible.
Deep dives
Regenerative medicine offers new treatment protocols for chronic health problems
Regenerative medicine is emerging as a promising field that focuses on addressing the root cause of chronic health problems. Unlike traditional medicine, which often relies on symptom-based approaches, regenerative medicine aims to restore the body to a previous state of health. This includes the use of regenerative molecules such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and exosomes to repair and regenerate damaged tissues. The potential of these new treatment protocols is being explored for various conditions including depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.
Ultrasound-guided regenerative treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, are providing effective pain relief for patients suffering from chronic pain conditions. These treatments fill the gap between conservative therapies like cortisone injections and surgery, offering a viable alternative for patients who do not find relief from standard treatments. By using ultrasound to guide injections directly into damaged tissues, physicians can target the source of pain and inflammation, promoting tissue repair and regeneration. These interventions have been successful in treating conditions like osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal tears, providing long-lasting pain relief and restoring patients' quality of life.
The promise of gene therapy, stem cells, and tissue engineering
The field of regenerative medicine is rapidly advancing with the promise of gene therapy, stem cell usage, and tissue engineering. Gene therapy involves modifying a patient's own cells to correct genetic defects or reverse disease processes. Stem cells, particularly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), are being utilized for their regenerative properties to repair and replace damaged tissues. Tissue engineering focuses on creating living, functional tissues to replace or restore damaged organs. These advancements hold great potential for treating a wide range of conditions, from neurodegenerative diseases and autoimmune conditions to chronic pain and inflammation.
Regulatory challenges and the future of regenerative medicine
While regenerative medicine offers promising solutions for chronic health problems, there are regulatory challenges that hinder the widespread adoption of these therapies. Compared to countries like Japan, the United States faces stricter regulations when it comes to approving and implementing cell and gene therapies. These regulations, along with the influence of pharmaceutical companies and the traditional focus on pharmaceutical interventions, contribute to the 15 to 20-year clinical translation gap. To bridge the gap and provide more accessible regenerative treatments, efforts are needed to change the narrative around chronic disease management, shift towards preventative and personalized medicine, and make these innovative therapies more affordable and accessible to all.
Gene therapy and cell therapy for chronic diseases
Gene therapy and cell therapy are emerging as powerful tools in treating chronic diseases. By targeting specific genes and cells, these therapies have the potential to address the underlying causes of various conditions, including osteoarthritis, depression, and sarcopenia. For example, stem cell treatments can reduce inflammation and support the regeneration of damaged tissues, such as cartilage in osteoarthritis. Additionally, gene therapy using plasma vectors can promote the production of key peptides, like follistatin, which can aid in muscle growth and reduce systemic inflammation. These innovative therapies offer a promising path towards more effective and personalized medical interventions.
The connection between chronic diseases and the hallmarks of aging
Chronic diseases, including osteoarthritis, are commonly associated with the hallmarks of aging. These hallmarks, encompassing processes like genomic instability, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic inflammation, start acting at the cellular level years before the symptoms are noticeable. By recognizing the connection between chronic diseases and these hallmarks, new treatments can be developed to target the underlying cellular dysfunctions and provide more comprehensive care. This approach not only offers possibilities for managing chronic diseases more effectively but also opens avenues for addressing multiple conditions since most chronic diseases share these hallmarks.
Exploring the potential of stem cells and regenerative medicine
Stem cells and regenerative medicine have become vital tools in addressing various health conditions, ranging from musculoskeletal issues like osteoarthritis to neurological disorders like depression. Stem cell therapies can be used to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation. For example, stem cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) can be employed for tissue engineering, where they are embedded in scaffolds and implanted into damaged areas to facilitate the regrowth of cartilage. Advances in this field, such as the use of gene-edited IPSCs, show promise for developing targeted and effective therapies for a wide range of medical conditions.
The role of immune system modulation in mental health and longevity
Recent research has highlighted the role of immune system dysregulation in both mental health disorders like depression and overall longevity. Techniques like intravenous exosome and peptide therapy, combined with interventions like vagus nerve and stellate ganglion blocks, show promise in modulating the immune system and reducing neuroinflammation. By addressing the underlying factors contributing to mental health disorders, such as unresolved emotional trauma or chronic inflammation, these interventions can lead to improved psychological well-being and enhanced resilience to stress. Promising results have been observed, including heightened emotional stability, reduced neuroinflammation, and increased resilience to stress-induced symptoms.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down in-person with longevity and chronic pain expert, Dr. Adeel Khan. They discuss how Adeel helped treat Dr. Peterson and his wife Tammy for chronic pain, how gene-editing via stem cells will be the inevitable future of medicine, the doomed nature of restriction-based dieting, the physiological basis behind depression, and the current state of research giving new insights into longevity.
Dr. Adeel Khan completed his MD at the University of Ottawa in Canada.
After training in sports medicine and interventional pain, he specialized in regenerative medicine. He co-founded Xalt and is the Chief Scientific Officer of Science & Humans. He is also the chief medical officer for Minicircle, the world’s first reversible gene therapy. He has a special interest in using interventional procedures to treat weightlifting injuries, as well as chronic neck and back pain. Dr. Khan is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at University of Toronto.
This episode was recorded on Dec 29th, 2023.
- Links -
For Dr. Adeel Khan:
On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dr.akhan/?hl=en
On TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@theregendoc?lang=en
Learn more about Dr. Khan's clinic Eterna Health and the services we offer here https://eterna.health/
Find out how to attend our upcoming anti-aging/longevity conference Unlock Longevity in Austin, TX on Feb. 24, 2024 here https://eterna.health/unlock-longevity/
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