CELLULAR MEDICINE
The cell is the very foundation of life. Your body is composed of trillions of cells that make up organs and functional systems that serve to create and sustain life. Each cell by itself, though, is a functioning intelligent entity programmed to grow, divide and replicate. Each cell ( with a few exceptions) have similar components that make up the cell. Here is a brief overview. The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, is a barrier that surrounds the cell, carefully selecting and separating its interior from the external environment. It determines and regulates the passage of various nutrients and substances in and out of the cell. The nucleus can be considered the control center of the cell. It contains genetic material (DNA) that codes for proteins necessary for cell function. The cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance within the cell. Within the cytoplasm are various organelles.
A brief overview of the main organelles will help to understand how each cell functions. Mitochondria are the energy factories that produce energy in the form of ATP. ATP is necessary to power every function necessary for life. Lysosomes contain enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris, a process called autophagy, which helps maintain the health of the cell as the cell needs a good “clean out” every so often. The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is divided into the Rough ER involved in protein synthesis and the smooth ER for synthesizing certain types of lipids and detoxification. The Golgi Apparatus processes, sorts, and packages proteins for transport within or outside the cell. Peroxisome deals with the destruction of fats no longer needed by the cell. Each of these organelle’s specific function contributes to the overall health and functioning of the cell. There is also “cross talk” between the organelles such that if one organelle is adversely affected it can cause dysfunction in another organelle with eventual overall cell dysfunction. Enough cell dysfunction and you have disease. This is well illustrated in a recent study in Nature Cell Biology that looked at the metabolism of specific fats. When certain genes are inactivated ( potentially through stress, toxins, etc) then the proper lipids ( fats ) are not produced and incorporated into the cell membranes then disruption occurred in cell function. When enough cells become dysfunctional health deteriorates. Therefore, it is critical that the cells are properly nourished to optimize cell health. Cell signaling is a fundamental process by which cells communicate with each other and their outside environment. The process of cell signaling is critical for coordinating all cellular activities. Cell signaling occurs from cell to cell and within cells and triggers various responses including gene expression, enzyme activities and cell growth and metabolism.
During their lifetime cells, as discussed, are intended to grow and replicate. But they also have a pre-programmed lifetime. Cell death is part of a natural process by which cells are replaced by new cells. This process of cell death is known as apoptosis. Depending upon the cell type, the cell life span can be as short as days to months ( ex. Stomach lining cells) or can extend for a lifetime ( i.e. Brain cells). This normal, healthy process described above is affected by numerous stressors including external stressors such as environmental toxins as well as your own internal stressors. Aging itself is a form of stress as it interrupts the efficiency of the normal cell processes. With aging comes build up of cell debris and a slowing and disruption of many of the mechanisms that promote healthy cell functioning. Toxins, aging, poor nutrition, lack of exercise and other factors affect various internal cell organelles that can result in early cell death or alternatively can cause what is known as cellular senescence. Senescent cells have stopped dividing ( but have not undergone apoptotic cell death) and can create disease as they secrete inflammatory factors that disrupt the functioning of nearby cells causing dysfunction and death of nearby cells. As these cells have escaped the normal apoptotic process and live on in a senescent, non dividing state they are often called Zombie cells.
Cell structure and function is a very involved, complex subject of which entire books have been written. But a brief overview, as above, will assist to help understand how various interventions based on All of the 9 Pillars of Health can optimize cell function to move cells, organs and systems toward their most optimum state of health. This will be addressed in very practical ways in other areas of the website.