019. J. Lee Nelson, MD on Microchimerism and Redefining Who You Are

Jan 7, 2021

Lee Nelson, MD is a professor and researcher in microchimerism at University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. In this episode, Dr. Nelson discusses how we have all had other people’s cells actually living inside our bodies, maybe even right now, and the connection with our immune systems. This goes way deeper than the microbiome. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• All the ways we share cells with other people - whether naturally or surgically
• Naturally occurring microchimerism, which is when cells of fetal origin persist in mothers and cells of maternal origin persist in fetuses. 
• The assumed percentage of cells that are assumed to be from another human organism.
• How a high percentage of our genes are actually viral in nature.
• The idea that we are an ecosystem: including a mix of our cells, other people’s cells and the microbiome.
• Whether microchimerism provides an anti-cancer effect.
• How pregnant women are usually very healthy. For example, some autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, actually improve during pregnancy.
• Cell exchanges that happen in surrogacy, breastfeeding, and other human interactions. 
• How you can find these cells in various parts of the body: the blood, the liver, etc. 

Lee Nelson, MD is a professor of medicine who researches microchimerism at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. She has done groundbreaking work in studying naturally occurring microchimerism through maternal-fetal exchange. http://microchimerism.org/

Heather Grzych, CAP, MA is the author of The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility and the host of the Wisdom of the Body podcast. A board-certified Ayurvedic practitioner, she bridges the worlds of conventional and alternative medicine to help women and men heal their physical and emotional lives. Heather is on the board of directors for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and has consulted with doctors, governments, and insurance companies. She offers virtual consultations and programs worldwide. https://www.heathergrzych.com 

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This podcast is for educational purposes only.