It was just past dawn on the Ark of Seeds. Annie and LJ were now in their third year of ark life. After 500 days of unremitting rain, the earth disappeared. Thousands worldwide had prepared for the inevitable loss of the planet because of global warming by building and moving onto floating homes. The Federation of Arks organization was quickly formed for governance and immediately assigned each Ark a primary responsibility. Because Annie and LJ had worked with the network of seed vaults worldwide and the doomsday vault in Norway, they were given the Ark of Seeds. Their job was to monitor, protect, and increase the supply of the 930,00 botanical seeds representing Earth’s entire biodiversity, which would rebuild the planet once the waters receded.

The couple felt the sun’s warmth on their faces as they stepped out onto the deck; the morning air was cool and clear. They could hear the carrier pigeons they kept to carry messages to the other arks beginning to stir. In the background was the sound of gentle waves lapping against the vessel’s hull.

They and several other arks were going to a rendezvous with Gabriel, the leader. He lived on Destiny, also known as the mother Ark. The meeting’s purpose was to distribute plants and their seeds that support human cell regeneration. Like so many benefits of twenty-first century living lost because of human derelict, regenerative medicine and its advances to repair and prolong life were lost too.

Regenerative medicine harnesses the body’s natural ability to heal by helping repair and revitalize damaged organs and tissues. These treatments include stem cell therapy, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and tissue engineering. Regenerative medicine is increasingly used to treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

This project – an attempt to give survivors an alternate tool to protect health and longevity launched a year ago, and now Annie and LJ have grown the required amount. They checked the list of Ark names against each package. As they worked, the sound of the wind in the sails accompanied them.

“We are about two hours out,” observed LJ as he looked at his compass. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.”

“Me too. Raising plants to support human cell regeneration was great, but it reminds me how much we lost when we lost our planet. The whole field of regenerative medicine was taking off.”

LJ put his arms around Annie. “Yes, it was, but there are a lot of brilliant minds amongst us with great ideas, and as we know, humans can be very innovative when faced with adversity, so I believe we will see a renewed effort to reboot the field of regenerative medicine. In the meantime, we will rely on plants that support cell regeneration.

These foods support the body’s ability to repair, revitalize its cells, and protect itself from age-related diseases.

Let’s go through the list one more time. We have six plants that will produce nutritious foods that support the body’s regenerative abilities.

Chia Seeds: are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for developing healthy cells. Walnuts and fatty fish are also good sources.

Blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants, including anthocyanins which help protect cells from age-related damage. Two other foods, garlic which is rich in sulfur-containing compounds help protect cells from oxidative damage, and dark chocolate also helps protect the body from free radical damage, which can cause the body to age faster.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with protein and healthy fats, key to maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and promoting cell regeneration. Almonds and other seeds are also good sources.

Broccoli contains vitamins A, C, and K, which help protect the body from inflammation and oxidative stress. Kale and other green leafy vegetables provide the same benefits.

Cabbage, when used to make fermented probiotic-rich foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, supports the growth of new gut bacteria, which helps promote cell regeneration.

Oranges are packed with vitamin C, like grapefruit and other citrus, which are important in supporting the body’s immune system and protecting cells from damage.

This is a good start, and the plants are easy to grow. Did you know many Regenerative Medicine therapies use ingredients from plants? One example is using stem cells derived from plants, such as aloe vera and onions, to treat certain skin conditions. Some plant-derived growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), have been used to help regenerate damaged tissues or to promote healing. It is found naturally in many plant sources, such as alfalfa, barley, soybeans, and wheat. Other plant sources of EGF include aloe vera, kale, rosemary, and spinach.

“Thanks, LJ. I didn’t know. That speaks to one of our favorite proverbs,

Everything begins with a seed.