Risks and Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Compared to Standard Treatments

Key Takeaways

• Stem cell therapy can help patients manage diabetes symptoms by reducing neuropathy and regenerating pancreatic beta cells that produce and secrete insulin.
• Reducing pain and swelling can help patients return to an active lifestyle, making it easier to manage diabetes symptoms.
• Restoring pancreatic function can also reduce their dependence on insulin shots, pens, and pumps.
• Stem cell therapy for diabetes has a strong safety record, with no serious side effects reported.

Over 133 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes, yet few ever find relief from their symptoms (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2024). Stem cell therapy can help treat diabetes at the source by repairing the pancreas and damaged peripheral nerve fibers that cause pain and swelling. 

Why Compare Stem Cell Therapy to Standard Diabetes Care?

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the U.S., with type 2 diabetes being the most common. To help manage symptoms, patients are often prescribed insulin and are encouraged to lose weight through diet and exercise. However, diabetes can cause neuropathy and peripheral nerve damage, limiting mobility due to increased pain and swelling. Some diabetes medications that help regulate glucose levels can lead to side effects, including hyperglycemia, low blood glucose levels, nausea, and weight gain (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2022). 

Managing diabetes can be a lifelong struggle, leaving many patients to explore new treatment options, including stem cell therapy, which takes a holistic approach by treating the underlying problems that contribute to diabetes symptoms. 

Benefits of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes

Stem cell therapy is a breakthrough scientific process that harnesses the body’s natural healing properties and may help treat various chronic diseases, such as diabetes, organ damage, and neuropathy. Pluripotent stem cells from donated blastocysts are the most effective option for treating diabetes and other chronic conditions. They signal repair in over 220 cell types, allowing them to repair damaged organs and nerves. 

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly, preventing cells from using glucose as energy. This can increase inflammation and damage various organs, leading to brain, kidney, and heart damage by depriving cells of essential nutrients.

Stem cells can help heal damaged areas of the pancreas, increasing insulin production and helping to distribute it to various cells throughout the body. They can help regenerate pancreatic beta cells, which produce and secrete insulin. Restoring the body’s natural supply of insulin reduces dependency on insulin injections and can help prevent serious complications associated with diabetes, including organ failure. 

Patients can improve their quality of life and return to an active lifestyle that helps them regulate their glucose levels naturally. 

Risks of Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes

Stem cell therapy for diabetes is an emerging field of study, and more research is needed to assess patient outcomes and potential risks. The procedure and the associated benefits and risks vary based on how the stem cells are cultured and administered. Pluripotent stem cells signal repair in more cell types than adult stem cells, making them the ideal choice for treating diabetes. 

There are currently no significant side effects associated with the treatment. However, patients should consider how the stem cells are cultured, stored, and administered to ensure they receive the best possible care. Using fresh, never frozen stem cells from ethically sourced donated blastocysts is best. Harvesting adult stem cells from the patient requires surgery and anesthesia, which can cause complications. 

The use of stem cell therapy for diabetes has yet to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is only available in select regions, including Mexico and parts of Europe, and the results continue to be studied and evaluated by the international scientific community. Preliminary findings show the process may treat diabetes beyond conventional treatments.

Standard Diabetes Treatments: Strengths and Limitations

Living with diabetes can limit independence and prevent individuals from enjoying certain activities. When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin naturally, most patients inject it several times daily while monitoring their blood glucose levels. While insulin therapy can effectively regulate glucose levels, administering the drug can be burdensome for millions of individuals. Medications like metformin may also be prescribed to prevent the liver from making too much glucose. These drugs can lead to weight gain and hyperglycemia, which can lead to additional complications. 

Some patients may need an artificial pancreas that automatically injects insulin into the blood when blood glucose levels get too high to help regulate insulin production. The pump can be worn on a belt, held in a pocket, or attached to the skin.

Without additional treatment or losing weight with diet and exercise, many patients will need to monitor their glucose levels for the rest of their lives.

Comparing Risks and Benefits Side by Side

Stem cell therapy takes a radically different approach to regulating insulin and blood glucose levels by helping to treat underlying problems with the pancreas. Explore the benefits of stem cell therapy vs standard diabetes treatments to see how the two compare. 

While anyone with diabetes may benefit from stem cell therapy, patients with severe pancreatic irregularities, including type 1 diabetes, stand to benefit the most from this approach.

With conventional treatments, patients must take insulin and monitor their glucose levels daily, if not multiple times a day. They are responsible for following the treatment guidelines and must see a specialist every few months to evaluate their progress. However, depression, hectic lifestyles, and other factors can prevent some people from managing this responsibility. These treatments generally cannot cure diabetes; they can only mimic the properties of a healthy pancreas. 

Conversely, stem cell therapy can help patients reduce their reliance on insulin therapy and medications by regenerating damaged cells in the pancreas. The body can resume producing enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels naturally.

Both methods aim to provide enough insulin and reduce the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. However, stem cell therapy can help patients find lasting relief from their symptoms without the added burden of managing their condition alone.

Clinical Evidence: What Research Shows

Clinical trials show stem cell therapy is a promising treatment for diabetes. Some patients who received therapy no longer need insulin injections. In one trial led by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a dozen patients with type 1 diabetes began producing their own insulin after receiving embryonic stem cells. In a Brazilian study, 21 adults with type 1 diabetes no longer needed insulin for several years after treatment. However, some patients saw little to no improvement in their condition (Kumar & Tanwar, 2024). 

Why Stemaid Institute is Different

Stemaid Institute is one of the leading providers of stem cell therapy for diabetes and has helped dozens of patients find relief from their symptoms. We use a holistic approach to address the many health complications associated with the disease, including damage to the pancreas and other organs, and inflammation throughout the body. 

Patients receive 20 IVs of fresh pluripotent stem cells, each containing 20 million pluripotent stem cells. Plurisomes, the exosomes of pluripotent stem cells, ensure broad signaling throughout the body to help the stem cells repair damaged tissue. Peptides, nutraceuticals, chelation, and ozone therapy help detox the body to remove built-up toxins that cause inflammation (Stemaid Institute, 2024). 

Every treatment is tailored to the patient’s condition and unique concerns and goals. We review their health history, conduct testing to learn about their condition, and monitor their progress during every step of the process to ensure the therapy has the intended effect. 

Is Stem Cell Therapy Right for You?

Stem cell therapy can help treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. When searching for a provider, patients should review the clinic’s safety credentials and ask how the clinic administers and cultivates the stem cells. The therapy is best for those living with diabetes who have tried conventional treatments and seen limited success.

If you believe you’re a good candidate for stem cell therapy, contact us for a free consultation to learn more about its benefits for diabetes patients. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main risks of stem cell therapy for diabetes patients?

Stem cell therapy for diabetes is safe and has no serious side effects. The stem cells do not stay in the body and don’t require surgery to be extracted from the patient. We use a simple skin biopsy to pair pluripotent stem cells with the patient. 

How do the benefits compare to insulin or oral medications?

Both treatments are designed to increase insulin production and limit glucose levels in the bloodstream. However, stem cell therapy can help regulate insulin and glucose production by regenerating damaged pancreatic beta cells, so patients do not have to depend on injections and oral medications. 

Can stem cell therapy permanently replace standard diabetes treatments?

Yes, in some cases, patients may no longer need insulin after receiving stem cell therapy. However, outcomes vary by patient and their condition.

Who is the best candidate for stem cell therapy vs. traditional care?

Patients who have tried conventional therapies and seen limited success are the best candidates for stem cell therapy. Traditional care may be best for those recently diagnosed with diabetes and those healthy enough to lose weight through diet and exercise.