Exploring the utility of stem cell therapy | Peter Attia & Adam Cohen

This clip is from episode #264 ‒ Hip, knee, ankle, and foot: diagnosis, treatment, and surgery of the lower extremities | Adam Cohen, M.D.

In this episode, Peter is joined by Adam Cohen, an orthopedic surgeon with expertise in sports medicine.

In this clip, we discuss:

- What are stem cells
- The role of stem cells in modern medicine
- Cortisone injections
- Randomized control trials looking at PRP

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About:

The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 60 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.

Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan.

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[kapn]

Adam basically dodged the most interesting questions, which are about actual stem cell therapies such as using Wharton’s jelly. PRP is old news. Just because the fda doesn’t currently approve of something doesn’t mean we shouldn’t discuss it.

[denisesmith]

I had stem cell therapy in Mexico for Parkinson’s and it helped! This is exactly why our country is so far off! He’s a surgeon so of course he’ll sway the other way!!

[MichaelB]

6 minutes in and Im thinking this guy works for the FDA

[JosephMcCaffrey-mk]

Quite disappointing that your questions on stem cell therapy were largely ignored and answered with words to the effect of “the FDA doesn’t allow it”. Fine, that’s certainly a fact worth noting, but there is no reason not to explain the actual research literature

[sophiebader]

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is not a stem cell therapy itself. PRP involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting this plasma with a higher concentration of platelets into the affected area to promote healing. While PRP contains growth factors that can stimulate tissue repair, it does not introduce stem cells directly. Stem cell therapies, on the other hand, involve the use of stem cells to regenerate or repair damaged tissues.

[joemoya]

I believe the reason there is so many mixed messages with stem cell therapy is because there are so many moving parts in this treatment. The variety of experienced among physicians and concentration methods is so varied it is to the point that even if you had patients with the exact medical issue and same genetic make-up (which is impossible) were treated "exactly" (used loosely) the same, I feel certain you would get different outcomes because the patient themselves could inadvertently add or lower value to the treatment by the different levels of disciplined to physical therapy associated with injuries. Personally, I have had 2 such PRP plus Bone Marrow Concentrate (or stem-cell) injections (knee and one shoulder). All have been successful. This is true compared to traditional surgery used to treat one shoulder for a radial tear and the other shoulder (also with a radial tear) was treated with PRP plus Stem-cell injections. Fast forward 3 yrs. later, I have had better results with the PRP plus stem-cell injection, BUT, the traditional surgery also showed good results but was slower to recover and left me with a small loss of mobility. For reference, I am 66 yr. old with a life long history of being extremely active in IM level triathlons.

[mytube]

Is there an update podcast on Stem Cell Therapy, with coverages of latest scientific medical publications? It is so limiting to only US authorized uses of Stem Cell Therapy

[cameronfous]

They literally didn’t even talk about stem cell therapy at all. Just deflected the question. Peter get someone on who can actually talk about this topic please :)

[xzx]

Don't know about the stem cell therapy but in 2009 or 10 I had PRP on semi membranosus - tear from many years of consistent running causing all sorts of pain. Worked beautifully, I didn't run as much thereafter but about 5-10km at a time was ok. But now again since last year the pain came on but nothing as bad. The same doctor now said, we don't do that anymore cos the medical world says it doesn't work. Worked very well for me for 12 years out could do active sports.

[liveandletlive]

Simply put. Stem cell therapy saved a friend who was near death from diabetes. In a wheelchair he went to Mexico and he is now living a normal life. These two doctors closed mindedness has caused many to die and suffer unnecessarily! I am not saying stem cell is a cure all.

[ssharp]

I am loving this series, Peter. I have a condition called EDS and have used prolotherapy on chronic pain/injured areas with the faulty collagen my body produces and the inflammation response and hopefully result of my body laying down some more tissue has been so very successful! Obviously I have altered my lifestyle, diet and supplements since getting my Dx but this regeneration therapy has been amazing (that being said, I did surgery on my thumb arthritis because I read there is NO way to produce more cartilage with PRP, or at least not as much as my body would need to heal the joint....and surgery was the correct choice for me as I am back to pain free on that joint -- my surgeon used sutures instead of tendon transfer). I would love (selfishly) a deep dive on EDS or connective tissue disorders (if you are taking requests....LOL). Thanks for all you do!

[Davidsample]

Peter. You asked the right question. What about the stem cell therapy in Mexico. Cohen didn’t know anything about it. Find another expert.

[rajgovindarajah]

I hope Dr Peter Attia invites Dr Joy Kong - let her explain stem cell therapy that she is doing right here in USA. I enjoyed watching her explanation including commentary on Life Force book that Tony Robbins is referring to stem cells.

[treykilgoreiscool]

The problem with stem cell therapy is the moral arguments that this guy beat around the bush the whole time about

[littlevoice_]

I hope you cover red light therapy for joints

[zibtihaj]

What about prp for skin rejuvenation ?

[andrewjrussell]

Peter, the gentleman speaking is utterly unqualified to speak in stem cells. He didn’t even describe the composition properly. Speak with Neil Riordan, Roberta Shapiro or Eric Stoffer if you want to disseminate proper and insightful facts. This gentleman - no offense- is not fully educated on the subject matter of stem cells. PRP is far off from mesachymal stem cells. And he couldn’t even differentiate for the audience

[robbmorris]

There's no sustainable profit in the "Cure". There is in the ongoing "treatment". Until we reconcile this, there will always be push-back on progress. The good news is "push-back" has a shelf life. In the end, progress always wins.

[MicheleLee-feob]

What are your thoughts on LifeWave X39 and X49 stem cell activation patches?

[douglasbooth]

Not watched the video yet but I know a few athletes especially older ones are raving about stem cell treatments.