Stem Cells: The Cornerstone of Human Health
Adult stem cells play a critical role in the body’s natural repair and regeneration systems. Mobilized from the bone marrow into circulation in response to tissue injury and physiological stress, these cells support ongoing tissue maintenance and recovery. The number of circulating stem cells may therefore influence the body’s capacity for resilience, repair, and healthy aging. When this endogenous repair system becomes compromised, the result may contribute to chronic inflammation and the development of many age-related and degenerative conditions.
This session explores the emerging science of Endogenous Stem Cell Mobilization (ESCM) and its potential role in strengthening regenerative capacity, reducing inflammation, and supporting long-term health optimization.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland, internationally recognized leader in functional medicine, will introduce the topic and provide a framework for understanding stem cells as a cornerstone of human health and longevity.
Christian Drapeau, scientist, author, and pioneer in the field of stem cell research, will present the latest scientific insights into stem cell biology and the mechanisms involved in endogenous stem cell mobilization, including the role of natural compounds in supporting regenerative processes.
The session will conclude with a clinical perspective from Dr. Mark Atkinson, MBBS, a British physician and pioneer in integrative medicine with more than 25 years of clinical experience. Dr. Atkinson specializes in health optimization and mind-body medicine. He co-founded the UK’s first training program in integrative medicine and has trained more than 2,500 practitioners and coaches. He is the author of several books, including The Mind-Body Bible and True Happiness, and brings a practical clinical lens to the application of regenerative and integrative approaches in modern healthcare.
Together, these experts will explore the science, mechanisms, and clinical implications of stem cell mobilization as a promising frontier in supporting the body’s innate healing potential.
Speakers
-
Jeff Bland, PhDJeffrey Bland, PhD, is a pioneering figure in the food-is-medicine movement and a leading expert in nutritional biochemistry. As founder of Big Bold Health, he now focuses on longevity through immune health, championing the concept of immune rejuvenation as a pathway to healthy aging. Dr. Bland’s work highlights the powerful role of plant polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids in supporting immune resilience. Widely known as the “father of Functional Medicine,” he has spent more than 40 years advancing nutrition science, regenerative agriculture, and personalized approaches to lifelong vitality.
Dr. Bland began his career in academia as a university professor. In the early 1980s, he became a protégé of two-time Nobel Laureate, Dr. Linus Pauling. Dr. Bland then spent decades as a natural products industry insider and entrepreneur, while also serving as a scientific advisor and mentor to dynamic founders and leading brands.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Bland has traveled the world many times over as a renowned speaker. In 1991, he and his wife, Susan, founded The Institute for Functional Medicine. In 2012, they established another educational nonprofit called The Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, which brings together researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to focus on new models of healthcare delivery, advancements in medical nutrition therapy, and exciting emerging science.
Dr. Bland is the author of The Disease Delusion: Conquering the Causes of Chronic Illness for a Healthier, Longer, and Happier Life, as well as additional books and many research papers. His next book will be published by HarperCollins in March 2027. The Nourished Gene: Rejuvenate Your Immunity, Reverse Chronic Symptoms, and Activate Your Longevity is now available for pre-order from all major booksellers.
-
Christian Drapeau, MScChristian Drapeau is a scientist, author, medicinal plant expert, and pioneer in the field of stem cell research. He holds a graduate degree in Neurophysiology and has been involved in medical research for 30+ years, with the last 20 specifically dedicated to stem cells. He pioneered the understanding that stem cells constitute the body’s natural healing and repair system, and has traveled the world in search of the most powerful plants that support stem cell function and enhance the body’s regenerative potential. Having lectured in 50+ countries and written 5 books – including the best-selling Cracking the Stem Cell Code – as well as dozens of published scientific papers on brain research and Endogenous Stem Cell Mobilization, Drapeau is known by scientists, physicians, and biohackers alike as an expert and pioneer of his field. A scientific advisor to many companies, he is currently the Founder and Chief Science Officer at STEMREGEN, where he developed the most potent stem cell supplement.
-
Mark Atkinson, MBBS, FRSPHDr Mark Atkinson, MBBS, FRSPH, is a British medical doctor and pioneer in integrative medicine, specialising in the science of health optimisation. He is a consultant, master coach, and author of five books, including The Mind-Body Bible and True Happiness, with over 25 years’ experience helping clients unlock higher levels of health and wellbeing.
A co-founder of the UK’s first professional training programme in integrative medicine, Dr Atkinson has trained more than 2,500 practitioners in a whole-person approach to health optimisation and disease management. He graduated in medicine from Imperial College School of Medicine, London. Today, his work focuses on educating and mentoring health practitioners.
