Comparing Stem Cell Sources: Adipose (Fat) vs. Umbilical Cord Stem Cells
Umbilical cord cells come from a young donor and grow quickly in the lab. Fat (adipose) cells come from your own body. Research has not shown that either source gives better results in patients.[3]
At our Dallas clinic we use your own fat-derived cells, about 100 million of them, tested and used the same day. They are never frozen.
New Patient Inquiries (Call or Text), Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5 PM. Stem cell therapy is not FDA-approved for these uses and is not covered by insurance. Individual results vary.
Fat, umbilical cord and bone marrow: how the sources compare
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be collected from several tissues. Each source has trade-offs. Here is a plain comparison of the three most discussed sources.
| Question | Your own fat (adipose) | Donor umbilical cord or birth tissue | Your own bone marrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whose cells? | Yours (autologous) | A donor’s (allogeneic) | Yours (autologous) |
| How they are collected | A small liposuction under local anesthesia | From donated cord blood or cord tissue after a birth; nothing is collected from you | A needle aspiration, usually from the hip bone |
| Fresh or frozen? | At our clinic, used the same day and never frozen | Usually frozen for storage and shipping | Usually processed and used the same day |
| Cell supply | Fat is a rich, accessible source of stem cells[10] | Varies by product; some products have been found to contain no live cells[6] | Fewer stem cells per sample than fat[10] |
| Effect of age | Older age can reduce how well cells multiply in the lab[2] | Young donor tissue; cord blood MSCs multiply well in the lab[1] | Can also be affected by age |
| Immune matching | Not needed: they are your own cells | Antibodies against donor MSCs have been reported[3] | Not needed: they are your own cells |
| FDA status for joint, nerve or lung conditions | Not FDA-approved[4] | Not FDA-approved[4] | Not FDA-approved for these uses |
Summary for general information. Clinical research has not shown that one source gives better results in patients than another.[3]
Stem cell sources, explained
An honest look at the evidence
Patients often hear that younger cells must be better. The real picture is more nuanced, and we think you deserve both sides.
Young cells grow fast in the lab
A study comparing MSCs from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and fat found that cord blood MSCs multiplied the fastest and could be grown in culture the longest. The same study found that fat gave the most stem cell colonies, and that isolating MSCs from cord blood succeeded less often than from fat or marrow.[1]
Older donors, slower growth
Fat-derived cells from older people tend to multiply and specialize less well in the lab than cells from younger people.[2] That is one reason we count and viability-test every patient’s cells before treatment.
Growing well in a dish is not the same as better results
A review in Nature Biotechnology noted that no definitive clinical advantage of a patient’s own MSCs over donor MSCs has been demonstrated.[3] Across clinical trials, MSC therapy has shown a favorable overall safety profile.[5]
“Immune privileged” is an outdated idea
MSCs were once thought to be invisible to the immune system. Studies have since found antibodies against donor MSCs and immune rejection of them; how much this affects results is not known.[3] Your own cells do not need donor matching.
Freezing may change how cells behave
Donor products are usually frozen. One study found MSCs had reduced immune-regulating activity right after thawing compared with fresh cells.[9] Research is ongoing. At our clinic, your cells are collected and used the same day.
Not every birth-tissue product contains live cells
A 2021 study of nine commercial amnion, chorion, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid products found no live cells in any of them.[6] Whichever clinic you choose, ask for the live-cell count and viability results for your treatment.
Fat-derived cell products are described by an international joint statement of the IFATS and ISCT scientific societies.[11] Individual results vary.
What the FDA says about stem cell products
The FDA has approved umbilical cord blood products only for blood-forming (hematopoietic) stem cell transplants in certain blood disorders.[7] In December 2024, the FDA approved the first mesenchymal stromal cell therapy, made from donor bone marrow, for children with steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease.[7]
The FDA has warned consumers that products made from umbilical cord blood, Wharton’s jelly, amniotic fluid and adipose (fat) tissue are not approved for orthopedic, neurologic, pulmonary or other conditions.[4] That includes the cells we use: our treatment is not FDA-approved for these uses, and our protocols are reviewed by an IRB (Institutional Review Board).
In 2018, the CDC reported serious bacterial infections in patients who received contaminated umbilical cord blood-derived products.[8] The FDA encourages patients to ask questions and understand the risks before any regenerative treatment.[12]
Questions to ask any stem cell clinic
Whether you are comparing fat, umbilical cord or another source, these questions help you understand exactly what you would receive. A good clinic will answer them clearly. Our answers are below each one.
- Where do the cells come from: my body or a donor?Our answer: your own fat. The exception is our autism program (patients 15 and older), where a parent’s donated cells may be used in some cases.
- How many live cells will I receive, and will I see the count and viability results?Our answer: about 100 million cells, and each patient’s cells receive a viability and count test.
- Are the cells fresh or frozen, and how are they stored and shipped?Our answer: used the same day, never frozen or shipped.
- Is the product FDA-approved for my condition?Our answer: no. Stem cell therapy is not FDA-approved for these uses.
- Has the protocol been reviewed by an IRB?Our answer: yes, our protocols are reviewed by an IRB.
- Who performs the procedure, and what is their experience?Our answer: Dr. Bill Johnson performs each treatment himself. He has practiced medicine since 1983 and regenerative care since 2012.
- What is the total cost, and what does it include?Our answer: one flat fee, published below, with no hidden or facility fees.
- What are the risks, and what are my alternatives?Our answer: Dr. Johnson reviews both with you before you decide.
How we use your own fat-derived cells
Everything happens in one outpatient visit at our North Dallas office. Learn more about how stem cell therapy works.
Medical evaluation
Dr. Johnson reviews your history, imaging and lab work to decide whether treatment makes sense for you.
Mini-liposuction
A small amount of fat is collected under local anesthesia.
In-office processing and testing
Your cells are concentrated in our office. Each patient’s cells receive a viability and count test; the process yields about 100 million cells.
Same-day treatment
Cells are given by IV, with injections into treated joints when clinically indicated. Joint patients also receive acoustic wave therapy.
Hear from our patients
Dr. Johnson has been featured on TV for 20+ years. To hear from patients in their own words, watch our patient stories.
Patient experiences are individual. Individual results vary.
Questions about cell sources?
Our team can talk through candidacy, travel and pricing by phone or text.
Top Stem Cell Treatment Center In The USA (2025 & 2026)
Innovations Stem Cell Center was named “Top Stem Cell Treatment Center In The USA (2025 & 2026)” by Life Sciences Review Magazine.
An award reflects the publication’s editorial review. It is not a prediction of any individual patient’s outcome.
What treatment costs
We publish our prices so you can plan before your consultation.
- Joints: one flat fee of $16,500 for up to 4 joints plus the IV dose, with acoustic wave therapy included.
- Other conditions: from $16,500, IV dose included.
- Second treatment: $10,000, if needed.
Consultations are free, with no hidden or facility fees. Financing is available. Insurance does not cover the treatment itself, though LabCorp lab work can be billed to your insurance. Out-of-town patients receive a complimentary hotel stay for themselves and a companion.
Frequently asked questions
Isn’t umbilical cord better?
Not necessarily. Umbilical cord cells come from a young donor, and lab studies show cord blood MSCs can multiply longer in culture.[1] Age can also affect fat-derived cells.[2] But growing well in a dish is not the same as better results in patients, and research has not shown a clear clinical advantage of one source over another.[3] Neither umbilical cord nor fat-derived products are FDA-approved for joint, nerve or lung conditions.[4] We use your own fat-derived cells, collected and given the same day, and we count and viability-test each patient’s cells (about 100 million). Individual results vary.
Can my body reject donor umbilical cord cells?
MSCs were once thought to be “immune privileged,” but studies have found antibodies against donor MSCs and immune rejection; how much this affects results is not known.[3] Using your own cells avoids donor matching. Across clinical trials, MSC therapy has shown a favorable overall safety profile.[5] Every procedure still has risks, which we review at your consultation.
Do umbilical or birth-tissue injections contain live stem cells?
It depends on the product. A 2021 study of nine commercial amnion, chorion, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid products found no live cells in any of them.[6] Whichever clinic you choose, ask for the live-cell count and viability results for your treatment.
Are umbilical cord stem cells FDA-approved?
The FDA has approved cord blood products only for blood-forming (hematopoietic) transplants in certain blood disorders.[7] The FDA has warned that products from umbilical cord blood, Wharton’s jelly, amniotic fluid and adipose tissue are not approved for orthopedic, neurologic, lung or other conditions.[4] Our treatment is also not FDA-approved for these uses; our protocols are reviewed by an IRB.
Does it matter if cells are fresh or frozen?
Donor cell products are usually frozen for storage and shipping. One study found MSCs had reduced immune-regulating activity right after thawing compared with fresh cells; research is ongoing.[9] At our clinic, your cells are collected and used the same day, and they are never frozen.
Why not skip the fat harvest and use ready-made cells?
The trade-off is a small liposuction under local anesthesia in exchange for using your own fresh cells, which we test for count and viability. Most patients go home the same day. We’ll go over the pros and cons for your situation at a free consultation.
Do you ever use donor cells?
We use your own cells. The exception is our autism program for patients 15 and older, where a parent’s donated cells may be used in some cases.
What does treatment cost?
One flat fee of $16,500 for up to 4 joints plus the IV dose, with acoustic wave therapy included. Other conditions start at $16,500, and a second treatment, if needed, is $10,000. Financing is available, consultations are free with no hidden or facility fees, and out-of-town patients get a complimentary hotel stay for themselves and a companion.
Talk it through with our team.
Tell us about your condition and your questions about cell sources. We’ll explain the options honestly and let you know whether you may be a candidate.
Sources
- Kern S, et al. Comparative analysis of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, or adipose tissue. Stem Cells. 2006. PubMed 16410387
- Choudhery MS, et al. Donor age negatively impacts adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell expansion and differentiation. J Transl Med. 2014. PubMed 24397850
- Ankrum JA, Ong JF, Karp JM. Mesenchymal stem cells: immune evasive, not immune privileged. Nat Biotechnol. 2014. PubMed 24561556
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer Alert on Regenerative Medicine Products Including Stem Cells and Exosomes.
- Thompson M, et al. Cell therapy with intravascular administration of mesenchymal stromal cells continues to appear safe: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine. 2020. PubMed 31989101
- Becktell L, et al. Proteomic analysis and cell viability of nine amnion, chorion, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid-derived products. Cartilage. 2021. PubMed 33356465
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Approved Cellular and Gene Therapy Products; and FDA approves first mesenchymal stromal cell therapy (December 18, 2024).
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes from the field: infections after receipt of bacterially contaminated umbilical cord blood-derived stem cell products for other than hematopoietic or immunologic reconstitution. MMWR. 2018. PubMed 30571672
- Moll G, et al. Do cryopreserved mesenchymal stromal cells display impaired immunomodulatory and therapeutic properties? Stem Cells. 2014. PubMed 24805247
- Fraser JK, et al. Fat tissue: an underappreciated source of stem cells for biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol. 2006. PubMed 16488036
- Bourin P, et al. Stromal cells from the adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction and culture expanded adipose tissue-derived stromal/stem cells: a joint statement of the IFATS and ISCT. Cytotherapy. 2013. PubMed 23570660
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Important Patient and Consumer Information About Regenerative Medicine Therapies.
Stem cell therapy is not FDA-approved for these uses. This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Individual results vary.