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Arthritis can come in many shapes and forms. One of the most common forms of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. This chronic condition is an autoimmune disorder where the body is attacking itself. There are about 1.3 million people living with rheumatoid arthritis just in the United States. The condition disproportionately affects women; with more than 75% of patients being women.

Inflammation has long been thought to be the culprit behind many diseases, such as heart disease. There are approximately 60 million Americans who suffer from chronic inflammation. This condition can cause long-term medical problems that lead to death by damaging cells and organs. Thankfully, science is catching up with inflammation. Stem cells have already proven to have many uses that justify the furthering of their research and study. Still, one of the most impressive abilities boosted by stem cells is their ability to reduce inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the stem cells used in stem cell therapy, and they have demonstrated that when applied in the right circumstances, they are capable of doing a great deal of good for people who are suffering from pain and inflammation. What Are MSCs? MSCs are the stem cells used in stem cell therapy. These stem cells are incredibly powerful as they can differentiate into many forms of cells in the body, They can make several types of cells belonging to our skeletal tissues, such as cartilage, bone, and fat. Their ability to differentiate is into many kinds of cells that can have a wide array of effects on the body is why they are so capable of creating change in the body. There are many illnesses, diseases, and conditions that stem cells may be able to be applied to offer methods of care that were not previously available to people. What Can MSCs Help With? One such condition that MSCs may be able to provide help for is Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. This can cause a slew of problems within a person’s body, both physically and cognitively MS can cause many different symptoms such as vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. The symptoms and their severity depend on the person, with some people being only moderately affected by the disease while others are affected by it severely. There is no cure, but stem cells may present a new way of dealing with the illness. In a study called “Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modulate Experimental Autoimmune Arthritis by Modifying Early Adaptive T Cell Responses,” testing was done on mice suffering from experimental allergic encephalitis (EAE), which is very similar to MS in humans. By introducing MSCs into the mice’s bodies, the researchers were able to reduce the severity of the disease significantly. Although these results have been replicated, the findings are not fully understood. What is understood is that these stem cells cause the immune response to change from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory. The use of MSCs as a treatment saw the mice have rapid and sustained improvement of their condition. This means that the use of stem cells could also be very useful in helping humans who are suffering from MS. How MSCs Can Help With Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition can damage a wide variety of body systems. These can include the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. While many cells in the body play a role in this, T cells are one of the most important. MSCs can change the behavior of T cells. They have also been shown to be able to improve recovery in animals with rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike MS, which is very rare, rheumatoid arthritis is quite common, with millions of people being diagnosed with it every year. However, like MS, rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured. Stem cells may be able to help people who are suffering from it, though. This is because MSCs can differentiate into cells with the capability to repair tissue that is damaged directly. While more studies will need to be done on the topic, MSCs may be able to reduce inflammation, influence T cells, and assist in tissue repair. This could be vital in finding a way to help cure, or at a minimum, best heal people who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. How Reducing Inflammation Helps Fight Disease: Stem cell therapy can help people reduce inflammation has many effects that go beyond merely dealing with injuries and physical conditions. It can also be beneficial in fighting against disease. This has never been more true than now, where MSCs are being tested in clinical trials for their ability to help people fight against COVID-19. The reduction of inflammation due to the introduction of MSCs into the immune system is a lifesaving effect that stem cell therapy can have. By using stem cell therapy, a person gets multiple benefits for their health, especially if they are already sick. The first benefit is that stem cells can help boost and rebuild the immune system. This can be especially vital for immune-compromised and at-risk populations. On top of this, stem cells can help reduce the inflammation that illnesses cause in the body. Studies have shown that mice who were sick, once they were given stem cell therapy, were more likely to recover than the once who were not. They were also much less likely to develop worse diseases as complications. The stem cells can significantly reduce inflammation in the body, thus greatly improving the ability of the body to fight the illness. While tests on humans remain ongoing, the data looks like it may have promising results. Should You Seek Stem Cell Therapy? The choice to get stem cell therapy is a personal one, and everyone should consult a doctor before undergoing any procedures, even non-invasive ones such as in stem cell therapy. But stem cells offer a lot of benefits that people should consider if they are suffering from a condition or injury. This is because of the numerous benefits that stem cells can offer to people who require healing. Many injuries and physical conditions require surgery to fix, but stem cell therapy offers an alternative to this that is much easier on a person’s daily life. Stem cell therapy provides the solution to forego painful surgery and instead solve your health-related problems on your terms. You can heal in a much more natural and pain-free manner. No matter what it is that you are suffering from, stem cells may be able to help you get better.