How can stem cells be used to treat diabetes?
Stem cells can transform into different types of cells, including insulin-producing beta cells. This unique capacity helps in managing diabetes through several mechanisms:
- Regenerating beta cells. Stem cells can become new beta cells, replacing those destroyed in type 1 diabetes.
- Restoring insulin production. These new beta cells help the body produce insulin naturally, improving blood sugar control.
- Reducing inflammation. Stem cells help reduce inflammation in the pancreas, which may slow the progression of diabetes.
- Supporting tissue repair. They promote the healing of damaged pancreatic tissue, improving overall pancreatic function.
What is the success rate of stem cell therapy for diabetes?
Studies show that 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes experienced improvements in their blood sugar levels following stem cell therapy.
🙌 2024 marked a historic moment in the treatment of type 1 diabetes with stem cells — a 25-year-old woman successfully reversed her condition after receiving a transplant of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs):
- Less than 3 months after the stem cell transplant, the patient started producing her own insulin.
- 2½ months post-treatment, she no longer required insulin injections and has maintained this for over a year.
- Her blood glucose levels remained within the target range for more than 98% of the day, eliminating the dangerous spikes and drops associated with diabetes.
These breakthroughs signal a new era in diabetes treatment, promising better management—and potentially a cure—for millions of people worldwide.
👉 Discover how Dr. Isabella Bernaschina achieves 85-95% success in treating diabetes with stem cells at Medical Center Juventa. In this exclusive Bookimed interview, she explains how stem cells repair damaged cells and prevent complications for chronic conditions.
Where can I get stem cell treatment for diabetes?
In the U.S., it's still challenging to find reliable stem cell treatment for diabetes outside of clinical trials, as the FDA has yet to approve it for general use. However, in other countries, FDA-equivalent organizations like COFEPRIS (Mexico) and INVIMA (Colombia) have already recognized the effectiveness of stem cell therapies, making treatment much more accessible.
The top destinations for diabetes stem cell therapy include:
Based on our Ranking Policy, we have identified the best clinics for diabetes treatment in these countries. These institutions offer an excellent balance of advanced therapies, affordable costs, all-inclusive packages, and high patient satisfaction.
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Clinic Title |
Location |
Short Description |
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Cancun, Mexico |
A regenerative medicine center with 12 years of expertise. Offers 4-star hotel accommodation and VIP transfers. Among the patients are Mike Tyson and Cristiano Ronaldo. |
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Istanbul, Turkey |
Certified by the Turkish Ministry of Health for stem cell therapies. Treats diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot syndrome using the patient’s own stem cells (mesenchymal). |
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Playa del Carmen, Mexico |
A leader in regenerative medicine with its own stem cell bank and laboratory. Offers a diabetes treatment package including 100 million stem cells, exosomes, and placenta implants. Price: $7,600–8,500. |
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Bangkok, Thailand |
Uses mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord donors. Stem cells undergo rigorous screening to ensure safety. |
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico |
Over 20 years of experience in stem cell therapy. The team of biologists, biophysicists, biochemists, and nutritionists develops rigorous regenerative medicine protocols. |
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Istanbul, Turkey |
One of the largest multi-specialty medical institutions in Turkey, JCI-accredited. Treats over 1,200 patients daily. |
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Istanbul, Turkey |
The largest multidisciplinary medical center in Istanbul, the first JCI-accredited hospital in Turkey. |
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Medellín, Colombia |
Specializes in type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatments using umbilical cord blood stem cells. Conducts a minimum of 3 stem cell applications throughout the treatment. |
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Cancun, Mexico |
Pioneers in stem cell technology with 20+ years of experience. Certified by COFEPRIS and connected to U.S. research through its San Diego headquarters. |
Resources
- Mayo Clinic. (2024). Stem cells: What they are and what they do. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117
- Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity. (2023). The Safety and Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes- A Literature Review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10024492/
- Nature. (2024). Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes — a world first. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-03129-3