Stem cell therapy is one of the most searched topics in modern medicine, and one of the most misunderstood. Some stem cell treatments are life-saving and firmly established. Many others are marketed for joint pain, aging, and chronic illness well before the evidence supports them. For patients in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, the most valuable first step is a clear understanding of which is which, so that decisions are based on facts rather than advertising.
Dr. David Nazarian’s scientific foundation began at UCLA, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology and received the Chancellor’s Award for academic, community, and university service. He earned his medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University through its New York State/American Program, completed his internal medicine residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital, a USC teaching affiliate, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine. For more than a decade, he has helped patients in Los Angeles evaluate new therapies with that same scientific discipline.
“Stem cell science is real, and it is moving forward. My job is to help patients separate the therapies that have been proven from the ones that are still being studied, so they can make decisions with their eyes open.” — Dr. Nazarian
What is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cells are cells that can renew themselves and, in some cases, develop into specialized cell types. The term “stem cell therapy” covers very different treatments, and each has its own level of evidence and regulatory status:
- Blood-Forming Stem Cell Transplants: Bone marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants are established, FDA-regulated treatments for blood cancers and certain blood and immune disorders.
- Approved Cell Products for Specific Diseases: A small number of cell-based products have FDA approval for narrow indications, including a mesenchymal stromal cell product approved in December 2024 for a serious transplant complication in children.
- Investigational Orthopedic and Wellness Uses: Bone marrow concentrate, fat-derived preparations, and donor birth tissue products are being studied for joints, tendons, and aging, but none is FDA-approved for these uses.
- Research-Stage Cell Types: Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are active areas of research and are not used in routine clinical care.
The FDA states that regenerative medicine products have not been approved to treat any orthopedic condition, chronic pain, fatigue, or neurological disease, and that unapproved products generally require FDA oversight in a clinical trial. Its patient and consumer information on regenerative medicine also lists reported harms from unapproved products, including infections, blindness, and tumor formation. In 2024, a federal appeals court ruled that a fat-derived stem cell preparation offered by a Southern California clinic is a drug subject to FDA regulation, reinforcing that these products are not exempt simply because they come from a patient’s own body.
Common Reasons Patients Ask About Stem Cell Therapy
Patients most often ask about stem cells for knee and back pain, sports injuries, skin and facial aging, chronic inflammation, and general longevity. Each of these concerns is covered in more depth on a dedicated page:
In nearly every case, there are established treatments worth considering first, and some related options, such as platelet-rich plasma, have more human research behind them for specific uses.
What to Expect During a Stem Cell Consultation
Your consultation in Beverly Hills starts with a diagnosis. Dr. Nazarian reviews your history, examination, prior imaging, and treatments to date, then discusses where stem cell approaches fit and where they do not. If you have been offered a stem cell product elsewhere, bring the details. Useful questions to ask any provider include:
- Where do the cells come from, and how are they processed?
- What is the product’s FDA status for your specific condition?
- Is it being given under an FDA-reviewed clinical trial, and what is the trial number?
- What published human evidence supports it for your condition?
- What are the risks, and what are the total costs?
Be cautious of any clinic that promises a cure, relies mainly on testimonials, or charges you to join a “study.” The FDA notes that being listed on ClinicalTrials.gov or registered with the agency does not by itself mean a product is legally marketed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stem Cell Therapy at My Concierge MD
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Yes, but only for specific diseases. Blood-forming stem cells from cord blood are approved for disorders of blood production, and a small number of other cell products have narrow approvals. None is approved for orthopedic conditions, chronic pain, fatigue, or anti-aging.
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No. A federal appeals court ruled in 2024 that a processed fat-derived cell preparation is a drug subject to FDA oversight, and using your own cells does not remove risks such as infection.
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This has not been demonstrated in people. A large 2023 randomized trial found that several cell-based knee injections were not superior to a corticosteroid injection at one year. See our joint pain page.
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Exosomes are cell-free vesicles released by cells, and there are currently no FDA-approved exosome products. Learn more on our exosome therapy page.
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Dr. Nazarian can help you review trials relevant to your condition, including those at academic medical centers, and explain what participation involves.
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The FDA has received reports of infections, blindness, tumor formation, neurological events, and immune reactions linked to unapproved products, along with the risk that a proven treatment is delayed.
Why Choose Dr. Nazarian for Stem Cell Guidance
- Scientific Training: Education at UCLA and Sackler supports a rigorous reading of the research.
- Independent Perspective: Recommendations are based on your diagnosis, not on selling a product.
- Clear Regulatory Guidance: You will understand the FDA status of anything discussed.
- Coordinated Specialist Care: Referrals to orthopedics, rheumatology, and academic trials when appropriate.
Schedule a Stem Cell Therapy Consultation in Beverly Hills
If you are weighing stem cell therapy for yourself or a family member, an independent physician review can help you avoid costly missteps and focus on the options most likely to help. Dr. Nazarian welcomes patients from Beverly Hills and across Los Angeles.Schedule your consultation with Dr. Nazarian and the team at My Concierge MD.
Medically reviewed by David Nazarian, MD on