Khloe Kardashian's stem cell therapy: wellness breakthrough or a celebrity indulgence?

In a world where health and wellness trends often blur the lines between innovation and exclusivity, Khloe Kardashian’s recent journey into Muse stem cell therapy is sparking both curiosity and controversy.

The 41-year-old reality star and wellness advocate followed her sister Kim Kardashian’s lead by travelling to Los Cabos, Mexico, for this cutting-edge regenerative treatment.

While Khloe excitedly shared her experience on social media, calling it “next level” for recovery, inflammation and anti-ageing, the reaction from the public has been mixed, ranging from awe to outrage.

What is Muse stem cell therapy?

Muse stem cells, short for multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells, are a type of adult stem cell discovered in 2010 by Dr Mari Dezaw and her team at Tohoku University in Japan.

These cells, found in bone marrow and other tissues, have shown potential in repairing damaged tissues, reducing inflammation and promoting overall healing.

According to a research study published in "MDPI Journals", Muse cells are constantly circulating in your blood, like little repair workers on standby. When your body experiences damage or illness, those cells sense a distress signal (from a protein called S1P that injured tissues release). 

Muse cells then rush to the injured area and start repairing it.

What makes them unique is that they can transform into nearly any type of cell in your body, skin, muscle, nerve cells, you name it, while avoiding errors that might cause problems.

Unlike other types of stem cells, Muse cells don’t form tumours or trigger strong immune reactions, so you won’t need long-term immune-suppressing drugs or genetic matching for treatment.

However, this therapy is still in its infancy and hasn’t been approved for use in the United States. Currently, clinics like Eterna Health in Mexico offer the treatment, drawing high-profile clientele like the Kardashians.

Khloe took to Instagram to rave about her transformative experience at Eterna Health, where she was treated by Dr Adeel Khan, a pioneer in the field.

“I work out five days a week, so having something to help with recovery, inflammation, and overall wellness is next level,” she wrote. She also called out the anti-ageing benefits as her “favourite perk,” adding, “I’m in awe of the science and so hopeful for the future.”

But Khloe’s post wasn’t just about her personal gains. She expressed a heartfelt desire for these therapies to become “accessible and affordable to everyone, everywhere.”

This sentiment mirrors her sister Kim’s earlier comments about Muse stem cell therapy, which helped her recover from debilitating back pain and a shoulder injury.

Stem cell therapy is not new. According to the Cleveland Clinic, stem cells are already used to treat blood cancers and other disorders.

Kim, who also underwent treatment in Mexico, shared that her chronic back pain disappeared almost immediately after her Muse cell injections.

“It’s transformed my life when I thought my body was breaking down,” E! News wrote. Yet even she acknowledged the limitations: “This isn’t accessible in the US and I’m deeply grateful for the resources to pursue it.”

While the Kardashian sisters' experiences have shone a spotlight on the potential of Muse stem cells, their public endorsements have also drawn criticism. Social media erupted with comments accusing the Kardashians of flaunting their privilege.

A user commented under E! News' post voiced the frustration of many: “Most people can’t even afford basic healthcare, let alone hop on a plane to Mexico for stem cells. That’s not awareness; that’s flaunting privilege.”

Another commenter, a cancer survivor, expressed gratitude for life-saving stem cell treatments but called the Kardashians’ posts “kind of bullshit”, adding that such endorsements could drive up already astronomical costs.

Others, like an individual living with multiple sclerosis, lamented the inaccessibility of these treatments, stating: “I’ve been saving for YEARS to go to Panama for stem cell treatment, but it’s $30K+. Now that the Kardashians are advertising it, the costs will only go higher.”

The Kardashians’ foray into stem cell therapy highlights an uncomfortable truth about health and wealth: innovation often comes at a premium. While their high-profile endorsements bring attention to promising treatments, they also reveal the unfortunate inequities in access to healthcare.

Khloe’s excitement over Muse stem cells is understandable. For someone who works out regularly and is deeply invested in wellness, the promise of faster recovery, reduced inflammation, and anti-ageing benefits is undeniably appealing.

But her reality also serves as a reminder of the privilege that allows her and others like her to access such cutting-edge treatments.

For the rest of us, the hope lies in the continued evolution of science. As research progresses, the dream is that therapies like Muse stem cells will become more affordable and widely available.

As Khloe herself said: “I’m so hopeful for the future.”

Let’s hope that the future includes everyone.​