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In this episode, Dr. Regina Druz is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Gross — neurosurgeon, spine specialist, and regenerative medicine pioneer — for a deep dive into stem cells, exosomes, and their role in longevity medicine. Dr. Gross pivoted his practice seven to eight years ago from traditional surgery into cutting-edge regenerative therapies. Together they unpack the science behind how these biologics work, how they are regulated, what conditions they help, and where they fit in a comprehensive longevity protocol.
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Episode Chapters
[00:02] Welcome & Introduction
[02:04] From Neurosurgeon to Regenerative Medicine Pioneer
[06:54] Stem Cells 101 — What They Are and How They Work
[08:50] The Source Question — Whose Stem Cells, and Why It Matters
[15:40] From Stem Cells to Exosomes — What’s Actually Doing the Work
[22:36] Plant Exosomes — Nature’s Delivery System for Phytonutrients
[25:44] Clinical Results — Cartilage, Inflammation & Systemic Benefits
[31:51] Who Should Consider Regenerative Therapy — and When
[36:35] The Upstream Question — Starting Early in Cardiovascular Prevention
[49:36] Closing — The Future of Integrative and Regenerative Medicine
Transcript
[00:02] Welcome & Introduction
Dr. Regina Druz (00:02): Welcome to Own Your Heart Health. I’m Dr. Regina Druz, your holistic cardiologist. Each week we uncover root causes of common heart health concerns and unpack the latest scientific discoveries — and controversies. The information provided does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare practitioner before making any changes that may affect your health.
Today’s guest is Dr. Jeffrey Gross — neurosurgeon, spine specialist, and self-described “bio-nerd.” About seven to eight years ago, Dr. Gross made a bold pivot away from traditional surgery into longevity-driven regenerative medicine. With longevity becoming one of the most talked-about topics in medicine, I wanted someone who represents what it actually means in practice — a physician who studies the physiology, understands the biochemistry, and can connect the dots for patients. Jeff, let’s start with the question I ask every guest: how did you grow up to be who you are today?
[02:04] From Neurosurgeon to Regenerative Medicine Pioneer
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (02:04): I was a spine fellowship-trained neurosurgeon — neck and back, disc problems, the full range. We were always looking for less invasive, more biologic ways to avoid surgery, and I found I didn’t quite fit in with conventional colleagues. Spine surgery hasn’t changed appreciably in decades. I finally decided to look beyond the standard of care and pursue stem cells, which my patients were already asking about. My background is in biochemistry, and as you said, Dr. Druz, it always comes back to cellular function. Studying stem cells reconnected me to that foundation. From there my entire practice transformed — stem cells, exosomes, peptides, regenerative applications, longevity. I’m more functional in my mindset than I’ve ever been.
Dr. Regina Druz (03:56): How did your traditional colleagues react? I ask because I’ve seen this shift in cardiology too. The Journal of the American College of Cardiology recently published research on a Chinese movement practice for blood pressure control. We’re seeing papers on microplastics and air pollution. Integrative approaches are moving into the mainstream — but it took time. What was your experience?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (05:02): Many colleagues still have blinders on. They’re focused on volume, driven by what insurers will reimburse. A few open-minded ones are curious and starting to dip their toes in. But most are holding onto the sick-care system because it pays their bills.
Dr. Regina Druz (05:49): It’s the security blanket of conventional medicine. Though, as I like to say — the future favors the bold, and not all pioneers take arrows in the back.
[06:54] Stem Cells 101 — What They Are and How They Work
Dr. Regina Druz (06:54): Let’s give our listeners a foundation. What are stem cells? How are you using them? And what impact do they have on longevity and health span?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (06:54): When you are a fertilized egg, you are a single omnipotent stem cell — capable of creating an entire person. Those cells divide and differentiate. First pluripotent (can create a limb or organ), then multipotent (can repair and regenerate tissue, but can’t create a limb). By adulthood, we rely on multipotent stem cells, but with age, inflammatory stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, seed oils, and poor sleep, those cells become exhausted — fewer in number and diminished in function.
Dr. Regina Druz (08:24): Where do those stem cells actually live in the adult body?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (08:50): Mostly in bone marrow. Also in fat, and in other tissues surrounding blood vessels. They’re distributed throughout the body in all our tissues to some extent.
[08:50] The Source Question — Whose Stem Cells, and Why It Matters
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (08:50): When we use stem cells therapeutically, you can use your own — but when you take your car for an oil change, you don’t put the old oil back in. I prefer donated perinatal sources: amniotic fluid, umbilical cords, and placenta, collected at the time of a scheduled C-section from healthy, screened, consenting mothers. This material would otherwise be discarded. It goes through FDA-registered lab and tissue donation processes. You do not need to travel outside the country — that’s a myth international clinics love to perpetuate. The source we use tests for multiple variables, including using only tissue from mothers who were not COVID-vaccinated, because we don’t yet fully understand what the spike protein may be doing long-term.
Dr. Regina Druz (10:32): In my practice, we’ve been navigating the FDA’s complex stance on peptides — some were moved to a compound category that created a gray market of unregulated, untested products. With stem cells, you’re describing an FDA-regulated pathway. How does that actually work?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (11:23): The FDA regulates the handling, documenting, and marketing of these biologics — but it does not regulate the practice of medicine. Clinicians can legally offer these treatments under the doctrine of informed consent. IV fluids for dehydration are not FDA-approved — but everyone uses them. A physician can discuss all options, including stem cell or regenerative approaches, and let the patient make an informed decision. What we cannot do is make marketing claims about outcomes. If a doctor presents you with a knee replacement as your only option without discussing regenerative alternatives, that doctor has arguably failed the informed consent standard.
[15:40] From Stem Cells to Exosomes — What’s Actually Doing the Work
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (15:40): Here’s something that surprised us: the stem cells themselves aren’t primarily doing the therapeutic work. If you came to my clinic for IV stem cells, within a couple of days those cells are gone from your body. But the benefits — reduced inflammation, increased energy, improved sleep, cognitive clarity — last weeks, months, and some changes appear to be permanent. What’s doing the work? The stem cells are delivery trucks. The actual packages are peptides, growth factors, and extracellular vesicles called exosomes. Those exosomes carry cargo into your cells, signal anti-inflammatory pathways, and essentially reactivate your body’s own youthful repair mechanisms. This is why we’ve largely shifted to using exosomes directly. They’re about a third of the cost of stem cells, travel through tissue more efficiently, and cross the blood-brain barrier.
Dr. Regina Druz (20:31): Let me translate the biology. Cells communicate by packaging small portions of themselves — including signaling molecules — into tiny membrane-bound vesicles and releasing them. Neighboring cells take those vesicles in through endocytosis (a process that doesn’t require a lock-and-key receptor). It’s more like mail being dropped in a mailbox — the recipient picks it up and reads the message inside. Is that accurate?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (21:52): That’s exactly right. And importantly, all of our cells produce exosomes. For therapeutic purposes, we focus on stem cell-derived exosomes from amniotic sources — filtered, tested, concentrated, fresh-frozen, and unmanipulated.
[22:36] Plant Exosomes — Nature’s Delivery System for Phytonutrients
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (22:36): Here’s something most people don’t know: plants deliver their phytonutrients — resveratrol, sulforaphane, quercetin, B vitamins, vitamin C — through exosomes. We’ve partnered with a lab in Italy that can extract exosomes directly from organic plants. We’ve developed a longevity supplement — Longev-X — that delivers plant phytonutrients via their natural exosome packaging, getting nutrients directly into the cell. Early data suggests delivery is 700 times more efficient than a liposomal supplement and 4,500 times more effective than a traditional supplement.
Dr. Regina Druz (24:11): How does the plant exosome survive the stomach’s acidic pH of around 2?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (24:22): The plant exosome membrane is significantly more durable than human cell membranes and survives the digestive process intact, reaching the small intestine where absorption occurs with high bioavailability. This is supported by preclinical studies and we are entering clinical trials now.
[25:44] Clinical Results — Cartilage, Inflammation & Systemic Benefits
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (25:44): Structurally, we’ve seen remarkable results in joints. Patients who were bone-on-bone and facing knee replacement have come in for a single injection and within a year shown measurable cartilage regrowth on MRI — in some cases 25% or more thickening. We’re not inventing this; European literature includes 15-year follow-up data on similar protocols. The mechanism: we turn off the inflammatory damage in the cells that produce cartilage, allowing the body to restart the factory that built it in the first place. Systemically, we’ve seen improvements in HRV (heart rate variability), reductions in C-reactive protein and homocysteine, improvements in lipid profiles, and consistent patient-reported improvements in energy, sleep quality, and cognitive clarity.
Dr. Regina Druz (27:13): A cardiovascular perspective: once joint inflammation subsides, we’d expect systemic inflammatory markers to shift as well — and that matters enormously for cardiovascular and brain health. Joint inflammation is an early sign of total body inflammation.
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (27:24): Exactly. HRV is a sensitive metric for tracking this. I’ve seen HRV increase by up to 50% in some patients within days of an IV exosome treatment. One high-performance athlete in his thirties went from HRV in the 60s to the 90s — with a slow, gradual decline over months before returning for another treatment.
[31:51] Who Should Consider Regenerative Therapy — and When
Dr. Regina Druz (31:51): Let’s talk patient selection. I see a lot of mid-40s and mid-50s busy professionals — overweight, hypertensive, some with subclinical coronary disease or a prior cardiac event. We address lifestyle, weight loss, anti-inflammatory protocols, hormones, peptides. Where does regenerative medicine fit in that sequence?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (31:51): Lifestyle and foundational optimization always comes first. Fix the terrain — diet, exercise, nutrition, sleep — so the person gets the most from any regenerative intervention. Then peptides as a less expensive entry point. Then regenerative biologics like exosomes, unless there’s a specific reason to move faster — an autoimmune condition, long COVID, significant systemic inflammation, or a focal structural problem. I cluster patients into three groups: an older population managing energy decline and diffuse osteoarthritis; middle-aged patients becoming aware of suboptimal lifestyle choices; and younger high-performance biohackers wanting faster workout recovery and proactive aging prevention. For frequency: a young biohacker every 6-12 months, I personally do every three months, and an older patient with specific conditions perhaps annually.
[36:35] The Upstream Question — Starting Early in Cardiovascular Prevention
Dr. Regina Druz (36:35): I want to raise something I’m seeing at HeartWell.ai, our cardiovascular risk platform. A recent Harvard study looked at patients with low traditional cardiovascular risk scores but high polygenic risk scores. Over a thousand people in their 50s had CT angiography with AI quantitation. Even with a calcium score of zero, 50% had soft plaque — and approximately a third had high-risk plaque features. We are systematically underestimating cardiovascular risk. Should longevity medicine be moving upstream to address this earlier?
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (37:23): Absolutely — early and often. If AI risk assessment identifies elevated genetic and imaging risk, we should be considering proactive interventions: nattokinase, lumbrokinase, endocalytics — tracking those patients and learning what works. We need to move upstream in pattern recognition, and you’re doing that in cardiology.
Dr. Regina Druz (37:23): The environmental burden compounds this further. One day of exposure to fine air pollution has been linked to increased cardiac mortality. Microplastics are being found in arterial plaques. The risk calculus is far more complex than traditional scoring systems capture.
[49:36] Closing — The Future of Integrative and Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Regina Druz (49:36): Jeff, this has been a fascinating conversation. A few things come through clearly. First, lifestyle optimization remains foundational — no regenerative intervention substitutes for it. Second, once that foundation is in place, there is a real opportunity for optimization through regenerative approaches. And third, we now have the tools — exosomes, AI risk assessment, genetic panels, digital health monitoring — to do this with more precision than ever. I recently had a patient who, through integrative protocols without medications, dropped his LDL cholesterol by 47%. His follow-up note from Cleveland Clinic ended with the phrase “working with your functional medicine cardiologist.” That’s progress.
Dr. Jeffrey Gross (49:04): The paradigm is shifting. We have the knowledge, the tools, and increasingly the evidence. I’ve never been more passionate about medicine. Most of our patients aren’t in Las Vegas — we consult remotely anywhere and invite you in when you’re a candidate.
Dr. Regina Druz (52:08): Thank you for tuning in to Own Your Heart Health. This podcast is powered by Holistic Heart Centers. If you enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on your favorite platform. Visit holisticheartcenters.com to learn more, and subscribe to our YouTube channel — link in the show notes. See you next week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between stem cells and exosomes, and which is more effective?
Stem cells are living cells that act as delivery vehicles, releasing signaling molecules that instruct surrounding tissue to reduce inflammation and begin repair. Exosomes are the extracellular vesicles those stem cells release, containing the actual therapeutic cargo: peptides, growth factors, and genetic signaling molecules. Research has shown that exosomes are primarily responsible for the clinical benefits — the stem cells themselves leave the body within days. Exosomes are now preferred by many regenerative medicine physicians because they are smaller, travel more freely throughout the body, cross the blood-brain barrier, cost significantly less, and can be delivered more precisely.
Are stem cell and exosome treatments legal and FDA-regulated in the United States?
Yes — though with important nuance. The FDA regulates the handling, processing, testing, and marketing of biologic products, including stem cells and exosomes derived from donated perinatal tissue (amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, placenta). Reputable U.S.-based clinics use FDA-registered labs and follow tissue donation protocols. What the FDA does not regulate is the practice of medicine itself — meaning a licensed physician can legally offer these treatments under the doctrine of informed consent, provided no unauthorized marketing claims are made. Patients do not need to travel outside the United States for legitimate regenerative treatments.
What conditions are most likely to benefit from exosome therapy?
The strongest evidence exists for musculoskeletal applications: osteoarthritis, cartilage degeneration, joint inflammation, and spinal disc conditions. MRI data has shown cartilage thickening of 25% or more in some patients following a single injection, with European literature including 15-year follow-up data. Systemically, IV exosome infusions have been associated with reductions in C-reactive protein, improvements in heart rate variability (HRV), better sleep quality, increased energy, and enhanced cognitive clarity. Emerging applications include neurodegenerative conditions, long COVID, autoimmune-driven inflammation, and proactive longevity optimization. These are clinical observations, not FDA-approved indications.
How do plant-based exosome supplements differ from injectable exosomes?
Plant exosomes are naturally occurring nanoparticles that plants use to package and deliver phytonutrients — including resveratrol, sulforaphane, quercetin, and most B vitamins. Their membranes survive digestion and deliver nutrients directly into cells with dramatically higher bioavailability — estimated at up to 700 times more efficient than liposomal delivery. Injectable human perinatal exosomes are used for direct therapeutic intervention. The two approaches serve different purposes and can complement each other: plant exosomes support daily cellular maintenance, while injectable exosomes address specific inflammatory or structural conditions.
How do I know if an exosome treatment is working, and how often should it be repeated?
Physicians track both subjective and objective markers. Patients commonly report improved energy, better sleep, reduced joint pain, and enhanced cognitive function within days to weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV), tracked via wearables, has shown increases of up to 50% shortly after IV treatment. Blood markers including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homocysteine, and lipid panels are monitored before and after. Frequency varies: younger patients may do treatments every 6-12 months; middle-aged patients typically every 3-6 months; older patients as needed, sometimes annually. Treatment intervals are ideally individualized based on how long benefits are sustained.
Show Notes & Resources
Guest: Dr. Jeffrey Gross, MD
Practice: ReCelebrate Regenerative Medicine | Las Vegas, NV
Specialty: Regenerative medicine, stem cells, exosomes, peptides, longevity medicine
Supplement: Longev-X plant exosome longevity capsule
Remote consultations available — visit is arranged if you are a candidate for treatment
Key Terms Referenced in This Episode
Exosomes — extracellular vesicles containing peptides, growth factors, and genetic signals released by cells to communicate with neighbors
Perinatal biologics — stem cells and exosomes sourced from amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, and placenta collected at scheduled C-section
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) — a sensitive metric of cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system health, trackable via wearables
hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) — a blood marker of systemic inflammation; goal under 1.0 mg/L
Polygenic risk score — a genetic assessment combining multiple variants to estimate cardiovascular disease risk
HeartWell.ai — Dr. Druz’s AI-powered cardiovascular risk assessment platform
Holistic Heart Centers
holisticheartcenters.com
HeartWell.ai — AI-powered cardiovascular risk assessment
Address: 55 Bryant Avenue, Suite #6, Roslyn, NY 11576
Phone: 877-511-5166
YouTube: @reginadruzmd
Instagram: @dr.reginadruz
Podcast: Own Your Heart Health — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms
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Medical Disclaimer
The information in this transcript is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The discussions about stem cells, exosomes, peptides, and regenerative therapies reflect the clinical experiences and opinions of the physicians involved. These treatments are not FDA-approved for all applications discussed. Individual results vary. Please consult your licensed healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your health regimen.
