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Does anti-aging stem cell therapy work?
Yes, for the two things that matter most as we age: physical function and chronic inflammation. In randomised trials of older adults, stem cell infusions improved walking distance, grip strength and physical performance and lowered inflammation markers such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17.1234 Walking speed, physical performance and inflammation are among the strongest predictors of how long, and how well, people live.272826
Results at a glance
- +63 mfurther in the six-minute walk than placebo, nine months after one infusion1
- +7.4 kggrip strength in six months, against +1.3 kg with placebo2
- −23%p16, a marker of cellular aging, in a 147-person trial3
- −20%facial wrinkles on average across human exosome studies13
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Anti-aging stem cell therapy: what it is and how it helps
Anti-aging stem cell therapy gives you fresh mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from Wharton’s jelly, the soft tissue of donated umbilical cords, together with the exosomes these young cells release. Given by IV infusion, they reach the whole body; given as a facial treatment, they work directly in the skin.
Aging well: stronger, more mobile, more energetic
As we age, the body’s own repair systems slow down and a low level of inflammation, often called “inflammaging”, builds up. Stem cells release signals that calm this inflammation and support repair.1718 In clinical trials, older adults who received stem cell infusions walked further, gained grip strength, felt less tired and rated their quality of life higher.123
Fresher, firmer-looking skin
In the skin, stem cell signals and exosomes support collagen and elasticity. In randomised skin studies, they reduced wrinkles and pores and improved elasticity, hydration and brightness.101112
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Why your body ages: the four hallmarks stem cells work on
Scientists describe aging through a set of “hallmarks”, the biological processes that slowly wear the body down.25 Four of them explain most of the tiredness, stiffness and slower recovery people notice from their 40s and 50s onwards, and they are exactly where stem cells and exosomes act.
1. Stem cell exhaustion
Your own repair cells become fewer and less active with age, so muscles, joints and skin recover more slowly.25 Infused young stem cells bring fresh repair signals and stimulate the body’s own repair cells.17
2. Inflammaging
A slow, low-grade inflammation builds up over the years and is linked to frailty, heart disease and muscle loss.26 In trials, stem cell infusions lowered its markers TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17.423
3. Falling cellular energy
Mitochondria, the power plants of your cells, make less energy as you age, which you feel as fatigue and slower recovery.25 Stem cells can hand healthy mitochondria to stressed cells,2930 and NAD+ is the fuel mitochondria need to make energy.33
4. Cellular senescence
Worn-out “senescent” cells stop dividing but keep sending inflammatory signals that age the tissue around them.25 After umbilical cord stem cell treatment, a marker of cellular aging in immune cells was 23% lower,3 and in research models stem cell vesicles reduced aged cells and even lowered epigenetic age.3219
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How stem cells and exosomes support healthy aging
Mesenchymal stem cells work mainly as “signalling cells”. After an infusion they travel to stressed and inflamed tissues, a process called homing, and release growth factors, immune messengers and exosomes that act on your own cells.1718 They can even pass healthy mitochondria to tired cells through tiny tunnels between cells.2930 Six effects explain the results seen in studies.
How anti-aging stem cell therapy works
- Fresh stem cells and exosomesBy IV drip, and in the skin of the face.
- Messenger signalsGrowth factors, anti-inflammatory signals and exosomes.1718
- Calmer inflammationLower TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 and a rebalanced immune system.237
- Stronger, more energeticBetter walking, grip strength, energy and skin in trials.12310
How a young stem cell helps a tired, aged cell
- Young stem cellFresh Wharton’s jelly stem cells are full of healthy mitochondria and repair signals.
- ExosomesTiny vesicles carry proteins and RNA messages that calm inflammation and support repair.
- Mitochondria transferThrough a thin tunnel between the cells, healthy mitochondria move into the tired cell.
- Aged cellWith new mitochondria the tired cell makes energy again and copes better with stress.
Calming “inflammaging”
In clinical trials, stem cell infusions were followed by lower levels of the inflammation markers TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 in older adults.423 In a further study, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α all fell within six months.8
Rebalancing the immune system
Blood tests from a placebo-controlled umbilical cord stem cell trial showed a gradual rebalancing of the immune system, and these changes went hand in hand with better grip strength and walking speed.7
Fewer signs of cellular aging
In a 147-person trial, umbilical cord stem cell treatment was followed by 23% lower levels of p16, a marker of cellular aging in immune cells.3 In laboratory research, stem cells and their exosomes reduced aged cells and extended healthy lifespan,1920 with anti-aging effects across many organs.22
Healthier blood vessels
In the Cell Stem Cell trial, stem cells changed blood markers of vessel health, such as sTIE2, in step with the dose.1
Energy for your cells
Stem cells share healthy mitochondria, the cell’s energy units, with stressed cells, which restores their energy production and lowers oxidative stress.293021 In patients, fatigue scores fell after umbilical cord stem cell treatment.3
Collagen and elasticity in the skin
Wharton’s jelly stem cell signals increased collagen production in laboratory studies.1623 In patients, stem cell products improved skin elasticity and hydration within weeks.101112
Learn more about how our exosome therapy works.
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Can stem cell therapy help you live longer and better?
Stem cell therapy does not change your calendar age. What it improves are two measures that strongly predict how long, and how well, people live: physical function and chronic inflammation.
Walking speed and physical performance
In a study of 34,485 older adults, every 0.1 m/s of faster walking was linked to a 12% lower risk of death, and at age 75 predicted ten-year survival ranged from 19% to 87% in men depending on walking speed.27 On the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), scores below 10 out of 12 predicted higher mortality in 16,534 older adults.28 These are exactly the measures that improved in the stem cell trials: walking distance, physical performance and grip strength.132
Chronic inflammation
Inflammaging is linked to frailty, heart disease and loss of independence,26 and stem cell infusions lowered its markers in randomised trials.423
In short: more years of walking, climbing, carrying and recovering, the part of aging most people want back.
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Our anti-aging stem cell treatment in Istanbul
Fresh Wharton’s jelly (umbilical cord) stem cells
Our stem cells come from Wharton’s jelly, collected from umbilical cords donated after healthy births. They are young, active cells that carry very few of the markers that trigger rejection, so no donor matching is needed and nothing is taken from you.24 We prepare them fresh for your treatment date and never freeze them. Our cells and exosomes are prepared in a laboratory approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health and certified to GMP standards, with cell count and viability checked before every treatment.
Your plan, built around your goals
Published trials used 1 to 1.5 million stem cells per kilogram of body weight, or 100 to 200 million cells per infusion.231 Your plan states your exact cell count in writing.
1. IV stem cells
A relaxed drip into a vein, so the cells’ signals reach the whole body. This is the route used in the trials of strength, mobility and inflammation.123
2. IV exosomes
The stem cells’ signals in concentrated form, given through the same drip.
3. Facial treatment
Stem cells and exosomes placed precisely in the skin of the face, for firmer, smoother and more radiant skin.1011
4. NAD+ IV, if you wish
A supportive NAD+ infusion can be added to your plan on the same day.
5. The same type of cells as the trials
All five clinical trials in older adults in the table below used donor stem cells given by IV, just like ours.12345
6. One trip, no harvest
Because we use donated umbilical cord cells, nothing is taken from your body: no fat or bone-marrow harvest, no weeks of waiting for cells to grow, and no second trip.
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NAD+: the molecule your cells need for energy and repair
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of your body. It helps the mitochondria turn the food you eat into ATP, the energy your cells run on, and it fuels the sirtuins and PARP enzymes that repair DNA, keep metabolism in balance and help cells cope with stress.333435
NAD+ levels fall with age in tissues such as the brain and muscle,3637 partly because DNA repair and the inflammation-linked enzyme CD38 use up more of it.3438 Older adults who stay active keep their muscle NAD+ closer to that of younger people.37 NAD+ is linked to several hallmarks of aging, including declining cell energy, cellular senescence and chronic inflammation,47 which is why restoring it is one of the most studied ideas in longevity medicine.
What NAD+ boosters achieved in human trials
- +142%blood NAD+ with 1,000 mg of NR a day for 8 weeks43
- +60%NAD+ in immune cells of adults aged 55 to 7942
- +25%muscle insulin sensitivity with NMN, published in Science40
- Furthersix-minute walk after 60 days of NMN, compared with placebo41
How NAD+ powers your cells
- NAD+ moleculesEvery cell uses NAD+, and its levels fall as we age.
- MitochondriaNAD+ picks up energy from food and delivers it to the mitochondria, which turn it into ATP, the cell’s fuel.
- Repair and maintenanceSirtuins and DNA-repair enzymes (PARPs) use NAD+ to keep cells and their DNA in good shape.
What the human studies show
- Higher NAD+ levels. In randomised, placebo-controlled trials, the NAD+ precursors NR and NMN, which the body turns into NAD+, raised NAD+ levels in middle-aged and older adults and were well tolerated.39424341
- Better muscle metabolism. In a randomised trial published in Science, NMN increased muscle insulin sensitivity by about 25% in women with prediabetes.40
- Walking further. In 80 healthy middle-aged adults, 60 days of NMN improved six-minute walking distance compared with placebo.41
- Lower inflammation. In men aged 70 to 80, NR raised NAD+ in muscle and lowered circulating inflammatory cytokines.44
- NAD+ by IV drip. An IV drip delivers NAD+ itself directly into the bloodstream. In the first human study, a slow infusion was taken up quickly from the blood and caused no adverse events,45 and in a clinic review, passing sensations during the drip resolved once the infusion finished.46 Research on IV NAD+ is at an early and promising stage.
Stem cells and NAD+ work together
Stem cells and NAD+ support your cells’ energy from two sides. Stem cells hand healthy mitochondria to tired cells and calm chronic inflammation,29304 while NAD+ is the fuel those mitochondria and repair enzymes run on.3334
Add NAD+ to your plan. NAD+ IV can be added to your stem cell treatment plan. It is given as a slow drip by our medical team under physician supervision, and your doctor sets the dose and pace for you.
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What clinical trials show about stem cells and healthy aging
Clinical trials in older adults measure strength, walking, everyday function, quality of life and inflammation. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of umbilical cord stem cells reported clear gains:
Strength and mobility with umbilical cord stem cells vs placebo after 6 months
Gain in grip strength2
Faster on the timed up-and-go test2
| Study | Design | What improved |
|---|---|---|
| Ruiz 2026, Cell Stem Cell1 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled; 148 adults aged 70–85 | 6-minute walk 63.4 m further than placebo at 9 months (200 million cells); a vascular marker (sTIE2) fell |
| Nguyen 2026, EBioMedicine3 | Randomised; 147 adults aged 60–85; umbilical cord cells | Physical performance about 1 point higher, grip 2.6–4.0 kg stronger, less fatigue, lower TNF-α and IL-6 |
| Zhu 2024, Stem Cell Res Ther2 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled; 30 adults aged 60–80; umbilical cord cells | Grip +7.4 kg vs +1.3 kg, faster timed up-and-go, better quality of life, lower TNF-α and IL-17 |
| Tompkins 2017, CRATUS phase II4 | Double-blind, placebo-controlled; 30 adults | 6-minute walk 346 → 411 m at 6 months (100 million cells); TNF-α fell |
| Golpanian 2017, CRATUS phase I5 | Dose study without a placebo group; 15 adults | 6-minute walk 76.6 m further than at the start after 6 months (100 million cells); TNF-α fell |
What improves
- Walking further. In a 148-person, placebo-controlled trial published in Cell Stem Cell, adults aged 70 to 85 walked 63.4 metres further in six minutes than the placebo group, nine months after a single stem cell infusion.1 In the earlier CRATUS trial, the six-minute walk rose from 346 to 411 metres within six months, with no significant change on placebo.4
- Strength and physical performance. In a 147-person randomised trial, two infusions of umbilical cord stem cells improved physical performance by about one point on the SPPB scale, a meaningful gain, and grip strength by 2.6 to 4.0 kg more than in the control group.3
- Energy and quality of life. Fatigue scores fell, physical activity rose and general health scores improved after umbilical cord stem cell treatment.3 Quality of life improved more than with placebo,2 and physical health scores improved at every check-up in an earlier trial.5
- Lower inflammation. TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17 fell after stem cell infusions in several trials.234
- The overall picture. A 2026 systematic review of randomised trials found that stem cell infusions in older adults were well tolerated and showed improvements in mobility, physical performance, quality of life and inflammation.6 An overview of registered trials reported positive results for frailty and for facial skin aging.9
Skin results
- In a randomised split-face study, umbilical cord stem cell secretions with microneedling reduced wrinkles and pores and improved elasticity and brightness more than microneedling alone.10
- Stem cell exosomes improved wrinkles, elasticity, hydration and pigmentation in a randomised split-face study,11 and hydration and elasticity within eight weeks in another.12
- In a randomised trial of 48 women, amniotic stem cell secretions improved sun-damaged skin significantly more than saline.15
- A 2026 analysis of human exosome studies found an average 20.2% reduction in facial wrinkles, with better elasticity, texture and tone.13 A meta-analysis of randomised trials found fewer wrinkles, less pigmentation and smaller pores with stem cell secretions.14
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Your results timeline
In trials, people rated their health better from the second month,2 skin elasticity and hydration improved within 8 to 12 weeks,1112 strength, walking and energy improved from 3 to 6 months,324 and the walking benefit was still measured nine months after a single infusion.1 We review your progress with you at about 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
- Month 1–2Feeling betterQuality of life up from month 2
- 8–12 weeksFresher skinElasticity and hydration improve
- 3–6 monthsStronger, more mobileGrip, walking and energy gains
- 9 monthsStill walking furtherBenefit measured after one infusion
- Top-upKeep it goingA repeat treatment builds on results
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Stem cells vs NAD+, supplements, hormones and cosmetic treatments
Each anti-aging option works on a different level. Stem cells and exosomes are the option designed to act on several hallmarks of aging at once, throughout the body, and they combine well with NAD+.
| Option | How it works | Where it acts | How often |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stem cells and exosomes | Calm inflammation, rebalance the immune system, share healthy mitochondria and support repair171829 | The whole body | One treatment day; repeat when you choose |
| NAD+ IV | Delivers NAD+, the fuel for cell energy and repair enzymes, straight into the bloodstream3345 | Cell energy and repair | A drip of one to a few hours; a course as advised |
| Oral NMN or NR | Building blocks the body turns into NAD+; they raised NAD+ levels in trials394243 | Cell energy and repair | Daily capsules |
| Hormone therapy | Replaces hormones that decline with age | Hormone-related symptoms | Ongoing; the effect stops when you stop |
| Cosmetic treatments | Change the appearance of the skin | Face and skin | Repeated as the effect wears off |
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Who anti-aging stem cell therapy helps
Anti-aging stem cell therapy is for adults who want to stay strong, mobile and full of energy, and to look as good as they feel. It has been studied most in:
- Adults over 60 who feel their strength and stamina declining, including mild to moderate frailty.123
- People with signs of chronic inflammation, the “inflammaging” that comes with age.8
- Anyone who wants fresher, firmer-looking skin.101113
There is no fixed age limit. Our specialist reviews your health, blood tests and goals first, so your plan is built around you.
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How to choose an anti-aging stem cell clinic: six questions to ask
Compare clinics in writing, not by a “best clinic” label. These are the six questions that matter, with our answers.
| Question | Why it matters | Our answer |
|---|---|---|
| Which cells, from where? | The cell type and source shape the treatment | Fresh Wharton’s jelly stem cells from donated umbilical cords, prepared for your date and never frozen |
| Does the evidence match the treatment? | Studies should use similar cells and the same route | The five clinical trials in older adults used donor stem cells by IV, like ours12345 |
| How many cells will I receive? | Trials used up to 200 million cells per infusion15 | Your exact cell count is guaranteed in writing |
| What quality checks are done? | Cell count and viability protect your result | Count and viability are certified by our Ministry of Health-approved GMP laboratory before every treatment |
| Who treats me, and who follows up? | Experience and aftercare | Uzm. Dr. Cihan Bolat’s specialist team, with reviews at about 1, 3, 6 and 12 months |
| What is included in the price? | No surprises later | A fixed, all-inclusive price in writing before you travel |
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Safety and comfort
The published safety record is reassuring. In clinical trials with more than 350 older adults, stem cell infusions were well tolerated, with no serious side effects attributed to the cells.13425 A 2026 systematic review of the randomised trials reached the same conclusion.6 In the skin studies, there were no serious side effects.101112 A 2021 meta-analysis of 62 randomised trials with 3,546 patients found mesenchymal stem cell treatment safe compared with placebo, with no serious adverse events such as death or infection; the most common effect was a passing fever.31
The IV infusion is a relaxed drip, and the facial treatment is minimally invasive. Dr. Cihan Bolat, a specialist in anaesthesiology and reanimation, plans your comfort with you, and you return to your hotel the same day.
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Anti-aging stem cell therapy cost in Turkey: what’s included
Your price depends on the number of stem cells, the amount of exosomes and the treatments in your plan, such as IV, facial treatment and NAD+. After your free medical review you receive a fixed, all-inclusive price in writing, before you book anything.
Included
- Free medical review and phone consultation
- Fresh Wharton’s jelly stem cells and exosomes, with certified count and viability
- Treatment by our specialist
- Ground transport to and from the clinic
- A personal case manager
- Aftercare and follow-up reviews
Not included / optional
- Flights
- Hotel stay, which we can arrange for you
- Facial treatment and NAD+ IV, if you add them
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Our guarantees to you
- A fixed price in writingYour all-inclusive price is confirmed in writing before you travel. No surprises.
- A guaranteed cell countThe number of fresh stem cells in your plan is guaranteed, and the count and viability are checked and certified by our GMP laboratory before treatment.
- Follow-up includedProgress reviews at about 1, 3, 6 and 12 months are part of every treatment.
- A free consultation with Dr. Cihan BolatBefore you commit, our medical director reviews your case free of charge.
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Your anti-aging stem cell treatment in Istanbul, step by step
Free medical review
Send us your age, previous treatments and recent tests: a comprehensive metabolic panel, a complete blood count and HbA1c. Tell us what you would most like to improve.
Free phone consultation and fixed price
Once your case is approved, you discuss your plan with the specialist and receive the total price in writing.
Fresh preparation
After your deposit, your stem cells are prepared fresh for your date. Preparation usually takes 5 to 10 days.
Treatment day
Our driver takes you to the clinic, where the specialist gives your IV infusion and any facial treatment, and brings you back afterwards.
Home and follow-up
We review your progress with you at about 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and plan any repeat treatment with you.
Read more about the treatment process step by step.
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Why patients choose Istanbul Stemcell for anti-aging stem cell therapy in Turkey
Led by Dr. Cihan Bolat
Our medical director is a specialist in anaesthesiology and reanimation and in regenerative medicine, and leads every treatment.
Fresh cells, licensed laboratory
Fresh Wharton’s jelly stem cells and exosomes from a Ministry of Health-approved, GMP-certified laboratory, never frozen.
Specialist-led
Every treatment is assessed and given by specialists trained in the United States and Turkey, not by general practitioners.
Inside and out
IV treatment for strength and energy and facial treatment for your skin, combined in one plan and one treatment day.
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Patients’ stories
Patients who chose anti-aging stem cell therapy with us share their experience.
“The consultation process was thorough, and the staff took the time to design a personalized treatment plan just for me. The procedure itself was minimally invasive and comfortable, and within weeks, I noticed improvements in my skin’s texture and overall vitality. … I look and feel years younger!”
“Initially, I was a bit skeptical about stem cell therapy, but their team patiently and convincingly addressed all my questions and concerns. The treatment itself was conducted with care and expertise, and I felt I was in good hands.”
Every person is different; we agree your goals with you before treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Does stem cell therapy really work for anti-aging?
In placebo-controlled trials, older adults who received stem cell infusions walked further, gained grip strength and rated their quality of life higher, and inflammation markers went down. In a 148-person trial, people walked about 63 metres further in six minutes than with placebo, nine months after a single infusion.
What do clinical studies show about stem cells and aging?
Randomised trials in adults aged 60 to 85 reported better walking distance, grip strength, physical performance, energy and quality of life, with lower levels of the inflammation markers TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17. Skin studies reported fewer wrinkles and better elasticity and hydration.
How does stem cell therapy help the body as it ages?
Stem cells work as messengers. They release growth factors, anti-inflammatory signals and exosomes that calm the chronic low-grade inflammation that comes with age, help rebalance the immune system and support the body’s own repair systems.
Can stem cells reverse aging?
Stem cell therapy is about aging well: feeling stronger, moving more easily, having more energy and fresher skin. In trials, people walked further, gained strength and felt less tired, and a marker of cellular aging in immune cells was 23% lower after umbilical cord stem cell treatment.
What are Wharton’s jelly stem cells, and why do you use them?
Wharton’s jelly is the soft tissue of the umbilical cord. Its stem cells are young and active, carry very few markers that trigger rejection, and are collected from cords donated after healthy births, so nothing is taken from you and no donor matching is needed.
What is the difference between stem cells and exosomes?
Stem cells are living cells that keep releasing signals in the body; exosomes are tiny packages of those signals, with no living cells inside. We combine both, so you receive the cells’ ongoing signals and an extra concentrated dose of exosomes.
Is umbilical cord stem cell therapy better than using my own cells?
Umbilical cord cells are young cells, and no harvesting from your own fat or bone marrow is needed, so there is no extra procedure. The randomised trials of umbilical cord stem cells in older adults reported gains in strength, mobility, energy and quality of life.
How is anti-aging stem cell therapy given?
By IV infusion, a relaxed drip that takes the cells and exosomes through the whole body, and, if you wish, as a facial treatment that places stem cells and exosomes in the skin. A supportive NAD+ infusion can be added on the same day.
How many stem cells and how many sessions do I need?
Published trials used one infusion of 100 to 200 million cells, or two infusions of 1 to 1.5 million cells per kilogram a few weeks to three months apart. Your plan states your exact cell count and number of sessions in writing.
How long do the results of stem cell therapy last?
In a 148-person trial, the extra walking distance was still measured nine months after a single infusion. Many people choose a repeat treatment to build on their results, and we plan this with you at your follow-up reviews.
How soon will I notice results?
In trials, people rated their health better from the second month, skin elasticity and hydration improved within 8 to 12 weeks, and strength, walking and energy improved from 3 to 6 months.
Is anti-aging stem cell therapy safe?
The published safety record is reassuring: in clinical trials with more than 350 older adults, stem cell infusions were well tolerated, with no serious side effects attributed to the cells. The skin studies also reported no serious side effects.
Who is a good candidate, and is there an age limit?
There is no fixed age limit. Most trials included adults aged 60 to 85, and the facial treatment suits adults who want fresher, firmer-looking skin. Our specialist reviews your health and blood tests before your plan is made.
How much does anti-aging stem cell therapy cost in Turkey?
Your price depends on the number of stem cells, the exosomes and the treatments in your plan. After a free medical review you receive a fixed, all-inclusive price in writing, which includes the treatment by our specialist, fresh Wharton’s jelly stem cells and exosomes, ground transport, a personal case manager and follow-up reviews.
Can stem cell therapy help with frailty, fatigue or low energy?
These are the areas studied most. In randomised trials, older adults with frailty walked further, gained grip strength and had lower fatigue scores and higher physical activity after stem cell treatment.
How long do I need to stay in Istanbul?
The treatment itself takes one day, and our driver takes you to and from the clinic. Many patients combine it with a short stay in Istanbul; we can arrange your hotel as part of your package.
How often should I repeat anti-aging stem cell therapy?
Your doctor plans this with you at your follow-up reviews. In a 148-person trial, the benefit of a single infusion was still measured nine months later, and a repeat treatment can be added to build on your results.
Is anti-aging stem cell therapy safe in the long term?
A 2021 meta-analysis of 62 randomised trials with 3,546 patients found mesenchymal stem cell treatment safe compared with placebo, with no serious adverse events such as death or infection; the most common effect was a passing fever. In the trials in older adults, no serious side effects were attributed to the cells.
At what age should I consider anti-aging stem cell therapy?
There is no fixed age. The clinical trials included adults aged 60 to 85, and our specialist also advises younger adults who notice slower recovery, lower energy or less strength.
Are donor stem cells as good as my own cells?
The five clinical trials of stem cells in older adults all used donor cells given by IV, the same approach we use. Young Wharton’s jelly cells need no harvest from your own fat or bone marrow and no second trip.
How does stem cell therapy compare with NMN or NAD+?
They work in different ways and complement each other. Stem cells and exosomes calm inflammation, rebalance the immune system and support repair throughout the body, while NAD+ is the fuel your cells use for energy and repair. We offer both, and NAD+ IV can be added to your treatment plan.
What is NAD+ IV therapy?
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme your cells use to make energy and to power repair enzymes such as sirtuins and PARPs. In NAD+ IV therapy, NAD+ is given slowly into a vein under medical supervision, so it reaches the bloodstream directly.
What are the benefits of NAD+ for healthy aging?
NAD+ supports cell energy, DNA repair and healthy metabolism, and its levels fall with age in tissues such as the brain and muscle. In clinical trials of NAD+ precursors, raising NAD+ was linked to better muscle insulin sensitivity, a longer six-minute walk and lower inflammatory markers. Research on IV NAD+ itself is at an early and promising stage.
How long does an NAD+ drip take?
NAD+ is given slowly for comfort. A published study gave 750 mg over six hours, and in a clinic setting 500 mg took about an hour and a half on average. Your doctor sets the dose and pace for you.
What does an NAD+ drip feel like?
In published studies NAD+ infusions were generally well tolerated. Some people feel passing warmth, flushing, stomach discomfort or chest tightness during the drip; these sensations ease when the drip is slowed and pass once it is finished. Every infusion is given by our medical team under physician supervision.
What is the difference between NAD+, NMN and NR?
NMN and NR are forms of vitamin B3 that the body turns into NAD+. Taken by mouth, they reliably raised NAD+ levels in clinical trials. An IV drip delivers NAD+ itself directly into the bloodstream.
Medical review
Uzm. Dr. Cihan Bolat
Medical Director, Istanbul Stemcell
This page was written from the published studies listed below and reviewed for medical accuracy on .
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References
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- Zhu Y, et al. Safety and efficacy of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of patients with aging frailty: a phase I/II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024;15(1):122. PMID 38679727
- Nguyen LT, et al. Safety and efficacy of allogeneic umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell infusion for frailty: a phase 2, single-centre, randomised, open-label controlled trial. EBioMedicine. 2026;127:106268. PMID 42019090
- Tompkins BA, et al. Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate Aging Frailty: A Phase II Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017;72(11):1513-1522. PMID 28977399
- Golpanian S, et al. Allogeneic Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Infusions for Aging Frailty. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2017;72(11):1505-1512. PMID 28444181
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- Nguyen NT, et al. Safety and efficacy of autologous adipose tissue-derived stem cell transplantation in aging-related low-grade inflammation patients: a single-group, open-label, phase I clinical trial. Trials. 2024;25(1):309. PMID 38715140
- Garay RP. Recent clinical trials with stem cells to slow or reverse normal aging processes. Front Aging. 2023;4:1148926. PMID 37090485
- Liang X, et al. Efficacy of Microneedling Combined With Local Application of Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Media in Skin Brightness and Rejuvenation: A Randomized Controlled Split-Face Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022;9:837332. PMID 35685406
- Park GH, et al. Efficacy of combined treatment with human adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosome-containing solution and microneedling for facial skin aging: A 12-week prospective, randomized, split-face study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(12):3418-3426. PMID 37377400
- Choi BY, et al. Adipose tissue-derived stem cell exosomes enhance skin barrier function and show exploratory associations with the skin mycobiome in aging skin. J Microbiol. 2026;64(6):e2603020. PMID 42403177
- Stack ER, et al. Clinical Advances in Exosome-Based Therapies for Aesthetic Medicine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Human Clinical Trials. Aesthet Surg J. 2026;46(12 Suppl 2):S13-S25. PMID 41800726
- Lin TJ, et al. Effectiveness of Topical Conditioned Medium of Stem Cells in Facial Skin Nonsurgical Resurfacing Modalities for Antiaging: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2023;47(2):799-807. PMID 36396862
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