People have always been searching for the legendary fountain of youth containing the water of eternal life. In the fourth part of the film series Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides, Spanish fishermen rescue an old man from the waters of the sea, who knows the spring of eternal youth. It is, therefore, no wonder that a fleet immediately sets off at the behest of the Spanish king to find the fountain.
A bit later in London: Captain Jack Sparrow – played in the film by Johnny Depp – is confused, as he is told that he would allegedly hire a crew himself for an expedition. Finally, he lands in front of the British king, George II, who asks him to participate in the race for the spring of eternal youth. Jack flees when he learns that his arch enemy Barbosa shall lead the expedition.
His father reveals to Jack that it requires the tears of a mermaid and two cups to get eternal life from the fountain of eternal life. The mysterious person who claimed to be searching for a crew as Captain Jack Sparrow was none other than his former girlfriend, Angelica. After a fight with her, Jack wakes up on board the ship of the notorious pirate, Blackbeard, who turns out to be Angelica’s father.
Blackbeard’s first goal is to catch a mermaid. The beautiful Syrena – embodied in the Spanish-French actress Astrid Berges-Frisbey – falls as the first person into his trap. Since the casting for the role of the mermaid Syrena, as is well known, it was meticulously ensured that everything was genuine and natural, except the fins, without further ado, the missionary Philip falls in love with her… That’s all I want to reveal, except, that in the end, a life is saved with water from the fountain of eternal youth!
Well, we still have not got hold of the spring of eternal youth, since apparently the search for a real mermaid is an insurmountable hurdle… but we could take a major step closer to the dream of a life-long vibrant body, youthful appearance and an alert mind. Thanks to new medical knowledge, we know that part of the “elixir of life” is to be found where one would least expect it: In the fat deposits of our own body!
Stem cells derived from body fat (autologous) are the foundation of a number of aesthetic and regenerative treatments: In the form of stem cell-enriched autologous fat, they enable a permanent and perfectly natural breast augmentation and body contouring without silicon and scalpel. Skin and tissue on the face and body can be sustainably rejuvenated by a suspension of the body’s own stem cells. Stem cells obviously unfold their regenerative energy at those building sites in the body where they are needed.
Thus, not only general regenerative effects are achieved, in a few worldwide specialised centres so-called “degenerative” diseases (e.g. oesteoarthritis, age-related wear and tear of organs and body parts) are currently being specifically treated with stem cells from fat. It is certainly too early to make promises, but the results are promising!
Patients are already benefiting from aesthetic and regenerative treatments with autologous stem cells. We may be curious about what other revolutionary treatments will be made possible in the future by stem cells from autologous fat!
DDr. Heinrich, MD