Right now, clinics are using Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Stem Cell Treatment, sourcing them from your own body or from umbilical cord tissue. Depending on the country you’re in, they will use Mesenchymal Stem Cells from:
- Umbilical Cord Tissue:
- After birth, the umbilical cord can be donated. The richest source of MSCs here is Wharton’s Jelly. The soft, gelatin-like tissue that cushions the cord’s blood vessels.
- Wharton’s Jelly stem cells are young, highly active and generally well tolerated even when given to another person.
- Your own fat (Adipose tissue):
- These cells are collected through a minor liposuction-style procedure.
- Your own Bone Marrow
- MSCs are taken from the spongy tissue inside bones, usually from the hip.
- MSCs are taken from the spongy tissue inside bones, usually from the hip.
Clinics are NOT using Embryonic Cells anywhere in the world for treatment. If you see any that are, it’s advisable to stay away!
Why do Clinics Use Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC’s)
Stem Cell Clinics around the world use them because they are relatively easy to obtain, can be grown and multiplied in a lab & are known for their strong anti-inflammatory and immune-calming effects.To explain in more detail:
- Calm harmful inflammation in the body.
- Modulate the immune system, preventing it from overreacting.
- Support natural repair by releasing growth factors and healing signals.
- In theory they’re meant to be able to differentiate or “turn into” different types of cells, but in practical research, this hasn’t been proven as of yet.
Most current clinic-based therapies whether for arthritis, autoimmune conditions, or degenerative diseases use MSCs as their primary cell type.
What’s the difference between MSC Cells from Bone Marrow, Fat Tissue & Umbilical Cord?
MSC Cells from Bone marrow and fat stem cells come from your own body, while umbilical cord MSC cells come from a donor. It’s usually easier to get larger numbers of cells from fat than bone marrow, and both can be grown in a lab if needed.
Umbilical cord cells are younger and may be more active, but how much of a difference that actually makes in real treatments is still being researched. Here’s how it breaks down in plain English:- One of the earliest and most studied sources of MSCs.
- Commonly used in orthopedic treatments — arthritis, cartilage defects, and tendon injuries.
- Harvested through a small liposuction procedure, yielding a very high number of cells compared to bone marrow.
- Strong anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects — attractive for autoimmune or systemic conditions.
- Increasingly studied in arthritis and sports medicine, with good results for pain and function.
- Collected after birth — non-invasive and ethically donated.
- Very young cells, theoretically more potent, with high ability to multiply in the lab.
- Considered immune privileged — low risk of rejection.
- Increasingly used in clinical trials and private clinics for neurological, autoimmune, and systemic conditions.
Ethical & Safety Issues Around Umbilical Cord–Derived MSCs
- Cords are donated after birth, usually with informed consent from the mother.
- In well-regulated systems, parents aren’t paid and donation is voluntary.
- In loosely regulated markets, there are concerns about cords being sourced from vulnerable mothers in low-income settings.
- Proper cord tissue banking requires rigorous infectious disease screening — HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, CMV and more — for both mother and cord tissue.
- Labs must test for sterility and contamination and ensure quality control before expansion.
- In less-regulated settings, poor or absent screening is a real risk, leading to patient safety issues.
- Even when safe, the potency of cord MSCs varies depending on how they’re collected, processed and expanded.
- Some clinics may not disclose whether they’re using fresh minimally processed cells versus lab-expanded, cryopreserved, or pooled donor cells.
This is one of the reasons it’s so important to choose a clinic that’s undergoing the correct procedures when sourcing their umbilical cord derived MSC’s. If clinics aren’t testing correctly, it could be extremely dangerous. That’s why we take our vetting process so seriously.
Expanded Vs Minimally Manipulated Cells
Cultured Stem Cell Treatments
MSC cells — either from umbilical cord tissue or your own cells — are isolated and expanded in a lab to offer higher purity and dosages of MSC cells.
Minimally Manipulated Cell Treatments
Cells are taken from tissue and used straight away with very little processing. You’re getting a natural mix of cells that includes some stem cells, but MSCs aren’t isolated or concentrated — which is why clinics usually can’t give you an exact cell count.
These are fundamentally different treatments and do not work in the same way.
Are expanded treatments more effective than treatments using minimally manipulated cells?
Expanded (cultured) treatments deliver a higher number of stem cells, but that doesn’t always mean they’re automatically “better” in every situation. Here’s how they differ:
Expanded vs Minimally Manipulated
Stem Cell Therapy
Not all stem cell treatments are the same. Here’s what you’re actually receiving and why it matters.
A high, controlled dose of live mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated and grown in a lab.
Bone marrow & fat tissue contain some live stem cells amongst others.Umbilical cord products rely more on tissue and signaling molecules rather than active stem cells.
Relies on live stem cells actively working in your body to drive repair and regeneration.
Relies more on signals and tissue support, not on large numbers of active stem cells.
High and measurable dose of MSCs. Clinics can tell you the exact number.
Low and variable number of stem cells, often not precisely measured.
Cells are isolated, tested, and consistent batch to batch.
A mixed sample, not purified. Quality varies from case to case.
More tightly regulated, only available in certain countries. Also available in countries where regulations are not enforced.
More widely available including parts of the US, as it involves less processing.
More complex (cells are grown in a lab), so quality depends heavily on lab standards. More risks associated with this treatment.
Simpler process, generally lower procedural risk, but less controlled.
Simple Way to Think About It
High-dose, controlled Mesenchymal stem cell therapy. You know exactly what you’re getting.
Natural tissue-based treatment with signaling effects
Not sure which type of treatment is right for your condition? We can help you understand your options.
Talk to Us →So which is better?
This is still being debated by doctors around the world, depending on your condition & severity.
For more severe or complex conditions, expanded treatments may offer an advantage due to higher and more controlled cell doses
For milder issues or simpler procedures, minimally manipulated treatments can still be a reasonable option.
This table should simply it further:
| Treatment Type | What you’re Getting | Relies on Live MSCs? |
| Expanded (Cultured) | High, purified dose of MSCs | Yes |
| Bone Marrow / Fat (MM) | Mixed cells, includes some MSCs | Partly |
| Umbilical Cord (MM products) | Tissue + signals (fewer active MSCs) | Partly |
Expanded (cultured) treatments can carry additional risks compared to minimally manipulated treatments, mainly because the cells are processed and grown in a lab before being used.
How do I decide which type of Stem Cell Treatment to get?
You get a high, purified dose of MSCs. The cells are grown in a lab, so the clinic knows exactly how many you’re receiving.
Cells go straight from the source into treatment with very little processing. You’re receiving a natural mix of tissue and signals, which may include some cells, but the treatment doesn’t rely on large numbers of active stem cells
The 3 Sources
Comes from your own Bone Marrow. Potency can decrease with age.
Produces a large number of cells.
Young, active cells with a low rejection risk. Quality depends on how carefully the cord was screened and processed, which is why clinic vetting matters.
Which countries offer minimally manipulated treatments vs expanded treatments?
Here’s a breakdown of the treatments offered in different countries. But remember, regulations differ from each country, treatment isn’t always legal. The country guide highlights the legal regulation in each country
| Country | Treatment Type | Cell Type | Regulated |
| USA Country Guide | Minimally Manipulated | Bone Marrow, Fat Tissue, Umbilical Cord Tissue | Yes |
| Colombia Country Guide | Expanded | Umbilical Cord Tissue | No |
| Mexico Country Guide | Expanded | Umbilical Cord Tissue | No |
| Panama Country Guide | Expanded | Umbilical Cord Tissue | No |
| Japan Country Guide | Expanded | Fat Tissue | Yes |
| South Korea Country Guide | Expanded | Fat Tissue, Bone Marrow | Yes |
| Thailand Country Guide | Expanded | Umbilical Cord Tissue | No |
| UK Country Guide | Expanded | Fat Tissue, Bone Marrow | Yes |
Key Questions to ask about Cells in Treatment
These are questions only related to the Cells being used in treatment.
Is this a minimally manipulated treatment or are the cells expanded (cultured)?
If it’s minimally manipulated, ensure they’re able to explain what this actually is, the difference between these treatments & expanded treatments & why it’s a good fit for your condition.
Where are the cells coming from?
- My own body (bone marrow / fat)?
- Donor cells (e.g. umbilical cord)?
Are the cells used fresh or frozen?
If frozen, how do you check the cells are still viable after thawing?
If the cells are expanded:
- What quality tests are performed?
- Are the cells processed in a GMP-certified lab?
- What markers are used to confirm they are true MSCs (e.g. CD markers)?
“CD markers” are like ID tags on the surface of cells. Scientists use them to check what type of cell they’re actually working with. For mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), they should:
• Show (be positive for): CD73, CD90, CD105
• Not show (be negative for): CD34, CD45
Conclusion
If you’re considering treatment, you want to decide on:
- Type of Treatment you want, Cultured or Minimally Manipulated
- Do you want to use your own cells or umbilical cord derived cells
- Both of the above will then dictate which countries you can look at
Alt Treatment is a free, independent platform that helps you understand stem cell therapy & decide if it’s right for you.
We break down complex information into clear, honest guidance. When you’re ready, we can connect you with verified clinics that meet your needs, in the right location & often with exclusive discounts.
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Stem cell therapy works mainly by releasing signals that reduce inflammation, calm the immune system, and stimulate the body’s own repair processes, rather than the cells permanently becoming new tissue.
To go into more detail, our article on What is Stem Cell Therapy explains the full process.
If you’re looking into clinics, you can compare all the clinics we’ve personally vetted around the world on our Find a Clinic Page.
Most Common countries people get treatment from are Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Thailand, India & Japan. People get treatment from the US too. But there’s differences in each region, check out our article on treatment in different countries here.
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