Stem Cells and Bodybuilding

 For Muscle Building and Regeneration

IGF-1, Muscle Growth and Recovery

Muscle regeneration is dependent on muscle progenitor cells (MPCs), which can be activated by certain nutrients and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 can increase protein synthesis. The ability of nutrition and dietary intervention to stimulate IGF-1 and other growth factors is an exciting area of research, and has the potential to restore and enhance muscle regeneration and muscle growth.

IGF-1 increases muscle hypertrophy, muscle mass and strength, and reduces muscle degeneration by increasing satellite cells. Satellite cells are also known as adult muscle stem cells. They promote muscle growth and repair upon injury. Human studies have shown that resistance training exercise and certain nutrients and growth factors can boost IGF-1 and activate satellite cell proliferation and muscle regeneration and growth. Skeletal muscle can regenerate and repair itself after minor injuries, but is impaired after severe injury – causing fibrosis, impaired muscle function and skeletal muscle loss and atrophy.

Growth hormone (GH) therapy has been shown to improve body composition and lean body mass and muscle performance. GH treatment improves muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis and preventing muscle protein breakdown. GH therapy increases growth hormone levels in the blood and has a direct lipolytic fat-mobilizing effect, shifting fuel sources, encouraging fat burning and sparing and preserving lean body mass. The anabolic effect of GH takes place by its conversion in the liver to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 is produced in the liver and controlled by GH. The anabolic effects of GH are mainly mediated by IGF-1. Increased muscle IGF-1 can activate satellite cells and adult stem cells, enhancing muscle cell proliferation and muscle growth and repair. High-intensity resistance training combined with certain nutritional therapies and dietary supplements to boost GH and IGF-1 may be effective for activating satellite cells and stem cells to prevent muscle loss and enhance muscle growth and recovery.

Muscle Building and Regeneration

Stem cells are invisible engines that lie within our muscles that drive the tissues growth and repair. Increasing the number of stem cells can have a positive effect on muscle building and recovery, especially when used in combination with resistance weight training. In fact, some professional athletes are making stem cell therapy part of their regimen to maximize muscle growth and recovery.

New research has uncovered the important role that stem cells have on muscle building and regeneration. This research and the discovery of natural stem cell activators opens the door for athletes to enhance muscle building and performance. One promising new supplement is MuscleMeds STEMTROPIN, which contains clinically proven ingredients that have been shown to boost GH and stem cells. Formulas such as this may help athletes perform better and enhance the quality of life in elderly populations.

Tissue Repair, Recovery and Rehab

By George Touliatos, MD

Stem cells are embryonic cells that proliferate into various different cells and tissues. They are the premature cells that later will form different organs. Stem cells play a significant role in locomotory system, throughout recovery and rehabilitation. They can assist in tissue repair of either connective tissue (tendons, ligaments, articular surfaces), and can also repair damaged muscle partial tears in muscle bellies. Stem cells are originally abundant in fetuses, through which are able to grow and develop. Therefore, their application in older individuals with sarcopenia will be quite promising to fight wasting. Recently in professional bodybuilding we had the case of Flex Lewis from UK, who had to withdraw from the 2020 Mr. Olympia. The reason was serious injuries that put his career into significant risk. It’s speculated that the seven-time 212 Mr. Olympia champion underwent stem cell therapy. He was injected with intra-articular shots of stem cells in both of his shoulders, elbows and knees. The high cost of these therapies is prohibitive for the average athlete.

References:

1. Mechanism of IGF-1 Mediated Regulation of Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy and Atrophy. Cells, August 26, 2020. Tadashi Yoshida et al.

2. Stem Cell Aging in Skeletal Muscle Regeneration and Disease. Int J Mol Sci, March 6, 2020.

3. Skeletal muscle hypertophy and regeneration: interplay between the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) and insulin-like growth hormone (IGF) pathways. Cell Mol Life Sci, November 2013. Nadege Zanou et al.

4. Key Part of Old Mystery in Generating Muscle Mass Solved. Science News, September 27, 2012.

5. Satellite Cells Contribution to Exercise Mediated Muscle Hypertrophy and Repair. Cell Journal, January 5, 2016. Behzad Bazgir et al.

6. Damaged Muscles Don’t Just Die, They Regenerate Themselves. Science News, October 12, 2020.

7. Damaged Myofiber-Derived Metabolic Enzymes Act as Activators of Muscle Satellite Cells. Stem Cell Reports, October 13, 2020. Yoshifumi Tsuchiya et al.

8. Rapid and Selective Mobilization of Specific Stem Cell Types After Consumption of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract From Sea Buckthorn Berries (Hippophae) in Healthy Human Subjects. Clinical Interventions in Aging, February 4, 2019. Drapeau C et al.

9. Metatonin Stimulates Growth Hormone Secretion Through Pathways Other Than Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone. Clin Endrocrinol (Oxf), August 1993. R Valcavi et al.

10. Stimulation of Human Growth Hormone Secretion by L-Dopa. The New England Journal of Medicine, December 24, 1970. AE Boyd III, MD et al.

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