At Monarka Clinic, we offer therapeutic plasmapheresis in Barcelona as part of our longevity and regenerative medicine programs.
Medicine has advanced so much in recent decades that today we no longer talk only about treating diseases, but also about preventing them, improving overall health and slowing down ageing at its biological root. One of the most promising techniques in this regard is therapeutic plasmapheresis, also known as plasma exchange. It is a safe medical treatment that is increasingly sought after by those who want to prevent disease, increase their energy levels and achieving active and vital longevity. But it is also sought after by people who suffer from chronic diseases and want a better quality of life.
What is Plasmapheresis?
Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure that removes plasma from your blood and replaces it with a clean solution, such as albumin or new plasma. This process removes substances that accumulate in the body over time: inflammatory proteins, cell debris, immune complexes and toxins. All of this has a direct impact on chronic inflammation, cellular ageing and the body’s regenerative capacity.
Although this technique has been used in hospitals for decades to treat autoimmune diseases, in recent years it has gained particular interest in the fields of longevity, regenerative medicine, and preventive wellness. This is thanks to studies demonstrating its positive impact on cellular health.
How does plasmapheresis work?
It is an outpatient procedure and is minimally invasive. It involves extracting your blood through a vein, processing it with a specific machine that separates the blood cells from the liquid plasma, removing the ‘problematic’ plasma and returning the cells to the body along with a replacement solution, such as albumin or fresh plasma.
The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, in a single session lasting between two and three hours (2 and 3 hours). The session can be summarised in several steps:
:
- Blood is drawn from a vein.
- A machine separates the cells from the plasma.
- Unwanted substances are removed along with the plasma.
- Finally, the patient’s cells are combined with clean plasma (such as albumin) and reinfused into the body.
The entire process is controlled by a specialised medical team using advanced technology. In addition, at Monarka Clinic we complement this plasma treatment with a detailed preliminary assessment and personalised follow-up.
Is plasma exchange an effective and safe technique?
The latest published studies on plasmapheresis in humans are clear: the technique is not only safe, but also offers measurable biological and immunological benefits.
One of the most relevant studies, led by the Verdin and Furman team (medRxiv, 2024), demonstrated that three sessions of plasmapheresis combined with immunoglobulin (IVIG) significantly improved immune system markers and proteins associated with ageing.
Another study published in GeroScience (Kim et al., 2022) showed that in patients undergoing several sessions of plasmapheresis, markers related to cellular ageing and inflammation decreased, and key immune functions were restored.
This evidence indicates that this therapy can partially reverse the phenomenon known as “inflammaging”. That is, the low-grade chronic inflammation that accompanies ageing and is behind many degenerative diseases (Furman et al., Nature Medicine, 2019).
Benefits of Plasmapheresis
Although each person may experience different improvements depending on their health status, the most commonly observed benefits of plasmapheresis are:
More energy and mental clarity
Many people notice an improvement in their energy levels, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
Reduction in chronic inflammation
By removing certain inflammatory mediators from the plasma, a more balanced bodily environment is created.
Supports the immune system
Purified blood responds better to other therapies, and the immune system can function more efficiently.
Preparation for other therapies
Purified blood responds better to other therapies, and the immune system can function more efficiently.
A recent study published in Nature Communications (Mehdipour et al., 2020) showed that replacing aged plasma with neutral solutions in animals achieved significant improvements in organs such as the liver, brain, and muscles. This finding has opened the door to exploring the potential of plasmapheresis in humans as well, as part of a preventive medicine and anti-ageing approach.
Who is a suitable candidate?
At Monarka Clinic, we use plasmapheresis as a therapeutic tool tailored to each patient, according to their needs and objectives. Some of the profiles that benefit most from this therapy are:
- Healthy individuals who wish to prevent biological ageing and take care of their health from an advanced perspective.
- People seeking to prevent neurodegenerative diseases or slow down ageing through biology.
- People with autoimmune diseases or persistent inflammation.
- Women in menopause with symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, or hormonal imbalances that cause severe side effects.
- People with chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or mild cognitive impairment.
- Cancer patients in recovery.
A comprehensive and personalised approach for each patient
At Monarka Clinic, we understand plasmapheresis not as an isolated treatment, but as part of a comprehensive health plan that may include other complementary therapies depending on each person’s profile. That is why we offer the possibility of combining this technique with:
- Intravenous or oral supplementation, with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Hypoxia/Hyperoxia therapy, which stimulates cell regeneration and mitochondrial function.
- Genetic and Epigenetic studies, which provide us with in-depth knowledge of how your body responds to the environment.
- Pain therapy, when there is an underlying inflammatory or muscular cause.
- Advanced metabolic assessment, to optimise your energy and cellular health.
Results of Plasmapheresis
Every body is unique, and therefore results may vary. However, most people who undergo this procedure report a feeling of ‘lightness’, greater mental clarity, more energy and an improvement in their general condition. In many cases, plasmapheresis also helps to reduce the inflammatory burden that prevents other therapies from working effectively.
Most importantly, it is a therapy based on medical evidence, applied in clinical settings, with safe protocols and positive results in multiple areas of health.
Is plasma-based treatment safe?
Yes. Plasmapheresis is endorsed by international scientific societies and has been used for decades in hospital medicine. At Monarka Clinic, we use state-of-the-art technology and strict medical protocols to ensure that the procedure is performed with maximum safety and comfort for the patient.
Would you like to know if this treatment is suitable for you?
At Monarka Clinic, we offer you a personalised assessment to determine your current health status and help you design a programme that suits you and your lifestyle.
