You would think that when it comes to the human body, scientists know all there is to know. But they don’t.
In fact, researchers recently discovered a whole new organ hiding in plain sight. It’s a series of never-before-seen fluid-filled compartments throughout the body.
They named it the interstitium. It’s a huge interconnected network of “sponge-like,” fluid-filled tissues that surrounds your brain, heart, lungs and every joint in your body.
But I call it your stem cell organ. Because it contains a vast supply of sleeping stem cells.
A healthy interstitium is one of the main reasons your ancestors enjoyed outstanding primal health: Their diet was rich in nutrients that supported this newly discovered organ — long before the days of processed food and genetically altered crops.
Unlike the current pick of treatments that inject stem cells into your body, there are now ways to use this new organ to call your body’s existing — but dormant — supply of stem cells into action.
As the researchers started looking deeper into this organ, they noticed that the signals shooting back and forth through the fluid also influenced stem cells. Specifically, they noticed these signals would nudge stem cells in a certain direction.
Some signals would tell certain stem cells to mature into a muscle cell. Other signals made a stem cell mature into a bone cell. Still other signals would tell stem cells to divide and create more stem cells for the reserves — all transported via interstitium fluid.
In short, for the first time in human history, science can finally explain the mystery of the stem cell maturation process.
Acupuncturists have long known that applying pressure to one part of the body can have a dramatic effect on another. We know that the “signals” that come from acupuncture “pressure points
” are most likely carried by the interstitium.The fluid carries antigens and cytokines — both critical elements in your body’s immune regulation. It also carries the stem cells it activates in its store. Many of these will grow into powerful immune system defenders, like T-cells and interstitial macrophages, which has been shown to be potent protectors against lung diseases.
The research into what a healthy interstitium can provide is mounting. This stem cell organ:1,2,3,4
- Boosts your brain power
- Supercharges your heart
- Regulates healthy blood sugar levels
- Keeps joint pain-free
The discovery of the interstitium and its incredible potential is still fresh, and scientists are still a few years away from directly manipulating stem cells using this new organ.
And it will be a much longer time before mainstream medicine catches up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use this discovery to improve your health today, tomorrow — and in years to come. Starting right now, you can kick your stem cell organ into overdrive.
Embrace Your Primal Nutrition
I’ve been doing my own research into the interstitium, and I’ve discovered numerous nutrients that support the healthy function of this vital organ. These are the top two you need immediately:
- Get more of the missing nutrient — collagen. This tough fibrous protein molecule is found in the bones, muscles, skin and tendons — and it’s what your interstitium is made of. So you need to feed it for optimal stem cell organ health.
Your body produces collagen by itself. But here’s the problem… By your 40s, you only make a quarter of what you need. And by your 60s, your production is down 50%.
The best source of this protein are collagen-rich animal parts, like bones and bone marrow or the sinewy connective tissue. Unfortunately, most people today won’t eat these animal parts. I recommend eating bone broth instead. For a twist, try making a salmon bone broth by including the bones and scales.
- Activate your “X” factor. Pioneering researcher Dr. Weston Price called vitamin K2 “Activator X.” He wasn’t sure how it worked. He just knew it was vital for good health. Today we know vitamin K2 boosts the production of stem cells in your body, especially in your bone marrow. Your bone marrow produces red blood cells, platelets, and immune cells that allow your body to stave off infections and diseases.
Research has found that vitamin K2 protects your heart, skeleton and teeth. Other studies show K2 fights inflammation — the root of all disease — by controlling the production of certain immune system stem cells.
Recent research show it can suppress stem cells that grow into cancer cells.5
Good food sources include goose liver, natto, grass-fed beef, bone marrow and full-fat milk butter and cheese. But supplementing may still be necessary. Look for vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone-7. I recommend up to 90 mcg a day to my patients. And, as it’s fat-soluble, take it with a meal to improve absorption.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD, CNS
References
1. Arbel-Ornath M, et al.”Interstitial fluid drainage is impaired in ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease mouse models.” Acta Neuropathol. 2013;126(3):353-364.
2. Araki T, et al “Development and progression of interstitial lung abnormalities in the Framingham Heart Study.” Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 201615;194(12):1514–1522.
3. Marunaka Y. “Roles of interstitial fluid pH in diabetes mellitus: Glycolysis and mitochondrial function. World J Diabetes. 2015;6(1):125–135.
4. Bangsbo J, et al. “Effect of muscle acidity on muscle metabolism and fatigue during intense exercise in man.” J Physiol. 1996;495( Pt 2):587-596.
5. Nimptsch K, et al. “Dietary vitamin K intake in relation to cancer incidence and mortality.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91(5):1348-1358.