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| - Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that the human body completely regenerates itself every seven years. Our fact check says it’s False.
The Claim
As per a post on Threads, every cell in the human body regenerates over a seven-year period. It further suggests that you become a new person every seven years.
Fact Check
Does every cell in the body regenerate in seven years?
No, not every cell regenerates within a seven-year period. The adult human body consists of nearly 37 trillion cells. Each cell has its own potentially unique molecular traits. Different types of cells renew at varying rates, while some do not regenerate at all.
Cells like skin cells regenerate quickly, approximately every two to four weeks, due to the continuous wear and tear they experience from the environment. Red blood cells, on the other hand, have a lifespan of about 120 days, after which they are replaced. Even bone cells undergo regeneration, but this takes around 10 years.
However, some cells, such as neurons in the brain, particularly in areas like the cerebral cortex, do not regenerate once they are formed. These neurons are responsible for critical functions like memory and cognition, and they last a lifetime. As of now, scientists are still working on how to regenerate the nerve cells within spinal cords. A 2020 study discovered that after a brain injury in adults, cells become less mature, which might help them grow again. So, the idea that all cells are replaced every seven years is a misunderstanding of how different cells in the body function.
Interestingly, stem cells play an important role in regenerating certain parts of the body. Unlike specialised cells, such as those in the heart or brain, stem cells have the unique ability to transform into various cell types, helping to repair or replace damaged cells. Although the exact number of stem cells in our bodies is uncertain, a 2018 study estimates that between 50,000 and 200,000 stem cells are actively generating white blood cells. These cells are key to regenerative medicine, which is focused on repairing tissues and organs, and researchers are optimistic that this approach could soon help treat diseases like heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Some recent studies show that diet can help in reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, but it is not a sureshot way to prevent the disease. However, even with stem cells, the body’s regeneration process is complex and far from following a simple seven-year cycle.
Dr Kunal Gupta, MD, Emergency Physician at Accord Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad, says, “Every day, millions of skin cells renew through division, while dead cells are shed. Different types of cells have varying lifespans, except for neurons, which generally do not regenerate after birth. While the liver has the remarkable ability to regenerate, even after partial removal, most other tissues, like heart muscle cells, cannot fully repair themselves. Skin, however, has a strong capacity for regeneration. The human body contains two key types of cells: somatic cells, which make up most of the body, and stem cells, which help in the repair and renewal of tissues, though their capacity to fully regenerate organs is still limited.”
Are there exceptions to cellular regeneration?
Yes, certain types of cells and tissues in the body are exceptions when it comes to regeneration. For example, liver tissue can regenerate, but heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) have very limited ability to do so. When adult heart cells are damaged, they can’t easily regrow, leading to scarring instead of proper healing. This often results in heart failure. Scientists are investigating stem cell therapies to help repair heart damage, but making sure they work effectively at the injury site remains a challenge. While some animals can regenerate heart tissue throughout life, humans can only do this early on, making it much harder for adults to heal.
Similarly, brain neurons do not regenerate like skin or blood cells. Once these neurons are damaged or die, the body doesn’t naturally replace them. This lack of regeneration causes the body to accumulate damage over time, which contributes to the ageing process.
We reached out to Dr Almas Fatma, MBBS, Diploma in Family Medicine, PG in Digital Health, General Physician from Navi Mumbai. She states, “Cell regeneration isn’t as straightforward as a complete body renewal every seven years. Some cells, like skin and blood cells, are replaced regularly, but critical cells in the heart and brain don’t regenerate easily. This is why damage in these areas tends to be permanent, debunking the idea of a total body reset.”
What about organs that can regenerate such as liver?
Liver is an organ with regenerative abilities, but even this process does not follow a simple timeline like the “seven-year rule.” The liver can regenerate to a significant extent. However, its ability to do so depends on various factors such as the extent of injury or damage, genetic factors, and the overall health of the individual.
Liver regeneration involves complex biological processes like cell division, signalling pathways, and tissue repair. Even though the liver can regenerate, this does not apply to the entire body’s cells and tissues, making the idea of total body regeneration every seven years inaccurate.
Does the body ever become “new” again?
Not really. The idea that you become a completely “new person” every seven years is misleading. Although many of the body’s cells do regenerate, the rates of regeneration vary drastically. Additionally, the process of regeneration doesn’t erase the effects of ageing or accumulated damage. Factors such as DNA mutations, environmental stress, and cellular damage contribute to ageing. This implies that parts of the human body degrade over time rather than being fully renewed. Surprisingly, we came across a post which claimed that skipping breakfast can reverse the ageing process. But, this is obviously not true.
In fact, some cells, like neurons, stay with us for life, and this disproves the claim of complete renewal. Far from becoming “new” again, we carry many of our original cells throughout our lifetime. Also, we experience the gradual wear and tear that leads to ageing.
We checked with Dr Ubaid ur Rahman, General Physician, Holy Mission Clinic, New Delhi. He says, “The notion that the entire body renews itself every seven years is an oversimplification. It’s true that some cells, like those in the skin, regenerate frequently. But others, such as brain and heart cells, regenerate very slowly or not at all. This helps explain why injuries to organs like the heart can have long-lasting consequences.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that the body fully regenerates every seven years is false. Some cells regenerate, but the rates vary depending on the cell type. Plus, certain cells, such as brain neurons, do not regenerate at all. Therefore, the body does not undergo a complete renewal every seven years, and the accumulation of cellular damage over time plays a significant role in the ageing process.
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