Since the turn of the 21st century there have been many advancements in health and wellness, ranging from the world of sports nutrition to stem cells. Thanks to these breakthroughs, athletes and fitness enthusiasts can now remain healthy and fit even after years of intensive training and competitive sports. Hence, there is a sense of anticipation for what might come next, and nanoparticles might be the next advance everyone is waiting for.
Nanoparticles are very similar to stem cells because they have regenerative properties, but they are not one and the same. Nanoparticles are made up of hyaluronic acid, various proteins and growth factors that help in cell repair. They can be obtained from various human fluids from donors with consent.
Nurse Practitioner, Kristian Adair, works in the field of biologics and functional medicine. She began her career as a Registered Nurse, working in advanced areas of nursing. Adair has experience working with cancer patients, post-operative patients, pandemics, emergencies, critical care and even neonatal and child care. Her career eventually led her into sports medicine, where she began to network with professionals specializing in the unique study of biologics. She also leads a very active lifestyle and considers herself a fitness enthusiast.
"Fitness is my life," she says proudly. Adair has been interested in nanoparticles for a long time and is excited about the potential they offer to many people looking for personal fitness gains. She is making introducing nanoparticles a priority in the clinics she works with because she is so confident in the positive difference they can make in those who receive an application and undergo treatment.
"For clinics that work with alternative, functional and holistic medicine, this is exactly what they need," explains Adair. "They can be used for many different things."
Advantages of nanoparticles
Nanoparticles can help reverse tissue damage and improve healing processes because the proteins have properties that help cell communication and promote tissue growth. Strength athletes and people dedicated to developing their physique would benefit.
In addition, they can delay cartilage breakdown and help protect the joints by forming a protective layer. Athletes who have been worn out over a long period of competition or people struggling with osteoarthritis may find this to be good news. Adair believes this would be a much better solution than using something that just masks or relieves the symptoms.
“If you think about athletes and the stress they put on their muscles and joints, some of them are diagnosed with osteoarthritis at a very young age. Nanoparticles can actually repair and restore injured areas and treat the underlying problem.”
Adair also emphasized that the benefits associated with nanoparticles are not short-term. Because they can help the person receiving them overcome the problems they are facing, they can return to whatever activities and sports they enjoy.
Nanoparticles don't just serve athletes, they can help everyone, including members of the military. Veterans who have served their country by participating in tours while in the service may be reminded regularly, in the form of injuries to heal from or issues that linger long after their careers have ended. Adair believes that nanoparticles would be a great ally for those who are either in the field or have been.
“Soldiers with chronic injuries affecting their joints or even ligaments and tendons would benefit, but it goes well beyond musculoskeletal issues. Nanoparticles can help the cardiovascular system, even the lungs. It has been shown to help people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That's a big deal for veterans or other people who have been exposed to chemicals. These nanoparticles can reverse that damage to those lung tissues.”
People even living with neurovascular problems like epilepsy or seizures can also see positive results from treatment with nanoparticles.
"Many nerve problems are caused by initial trauma or inflammation without ever being fully repaired," Adair explained. "These treatments can help with that."
Aside from the underlying health issues, Adair also shared that people who are focused on anti-aging or addressing aesthetic issues like wrinkles or sun spots, hair loss, and sagging skin can also see results from nanoparticles.
“Results are gradual and you can see improvements every week. There are different ways that nanoparticles can be applied.”
Treatments with nanoparticles
Treatments should be recommended by a doctor or provider. At the discretion of the provider, nanoparticles can be injected directly into the area to be treated, e.g. a joint for local injuries or the scalp if hair growth is intended. It can also be applied through microneedling for anti-aging benefits or through an IV injection for general health. The benefit of IV administration is that the entire body is treated, unlike oral supplements or medications that are affected by the digestive process. The number of treatments varies and depends on the problem being treated or whether it is general health and well-being. Aesthetic treatments have shown results that last over three years.
Adair shared that people who simply want to focus on optimal health would benefit from a single treatment. However, people facing one or more problems like those discussed earlier may consider multiple treatments.
“Nanoparticles are not intended to temporarily relieve unwanted symptoms or act as a patch. So you won't see any results tomorrow," she advised. "They encourage your body to heal itself, so it takes time to take effect."
"The highlight for athletes is that this is something that can improve recovery and improve their performance, which will help them long-term and for life," she explained.
One problem potential patients may face is finding places or doctors that offer nanoparticle treatments as they are not widely available. Physicians and GPs willing to offer treatments can contact a biological medicine company like Organicell to order them. "If it's more about quality of life, functional, or general health reasons, you should consider going to a provider that offers alternative medicine," Adair suggests.
Currently, exposure to nanoparticles may be low, but the FDA is investigating nanoparticles for potential approval at the time of this writing. Adair is confident there is much more exposure to come, which she hopes will eventually lead to more people improving the quantity and quality of their lives.
