Orthobiologic injections, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate (BMC), are increasingly used to help patients reduce pain and improve function after musculoskeletal injuries. While these treatments harness the body’s natural healing potential, lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and supplement use can influence how effective they are.
Another recent study explored how these modifiable factors affect the performance of orthobiologic therapies (1).
The takeaway: what you do before and after your procedure may impact your body’s ability to respond.
How Lifestyle Impacts PRP and BMC Therapy
PRP injections rely on platelets – tiny cell fragments in the blood that release growth factors critical for healing. BMC procedures draw on the body’s mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which support tissue repair and regeneration. The quantity and quality of platelets and stem cells from your bone marrow can be affected by daily choices.
Exercise:
Short bursts of high-intensity exercise can temporarily increase platelet count and enhance their ability to adhere and release growth factors. For active patients preparing for a PRP procedure, maintaining a regular fitness routine can be beneficial.
- Acute high-intensity exercise: A short, high-intensity session can temporarily elevate platelet count, improve platelet adhesion, and stimulate growth factor release. A brief, high-intensity workout about five minutes before a PRP injection may enhance platelet activity.
- Consistent HIIT exercise routine: Maintaining a HIIT program for several weeks prior to a PRP procedure has been associated with improved platelet function.
Diet and Supplements:
Some foods and supplements can dampen platelet activity or bone marrow concentrate, potentially reducing the effectiveness of your procedure. Others can help support them. Examples include:
Avoid/Minimize
- Minimize or eliminate saturated fats, processed sugars, alcohol, and coffee:
Diets high in these items may impair platelet responses or cause hyperreactivity. - Avoid high-cholesterol meals: These can interfere with platelet quality during PRP preparation.
- Reduce intake of dark chocolate, nitrate-rich vegetables, garlic, and soy:
High consumption of these foods may diminish platelet activity. - Modified Mediterranean diet: A version that excludes foods known to impair platelet function (e.g., high-dose omega-3s, specific polyphenols, and dietary nitrates) may further optimize PRP outcomes.
- Avoid certain supplements prior to PRP: High doses of magnesium, nitrate salts, iron, fish oil (omega-3s), vitamin E, vitamin C, policosanol, glucosamine, resveratrol, anthocyanins, and quercetin have been associated with reduced platelet aggregation and activity → It’s recommended to avoid or taper these at least one week before a procedure, unless medically necessary.
Include/Take
- Carica papaya leaf extract: Preliminary data suggests this supplement may increase platelet count, though more research is needed. It could be considered with medical guidance
- Curcumin: has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- The Regenexx Stem Cell Support Formula has a unique and potent proprietary blend designed to prepare your body for certain procedures.
Patients are encouraged to follow a low-inflammatory diet, similar to a Mediterranean pattern, before and after PRP or BMC procedures and to discuss supplement adjustments with their physician.
Putting It All Together
Orthobiologic procedures don’t work in isolation, the body’s internal environment matters.
Adopting a low-inflammatory diet, consistent exercise routine, and mindful supplement strategy can help patients make the most of regenerative treatments like PRP and BMC.
At New Regeneration Orthopedics, our physicians guide patients on these supportive lifestyle measures as part of a personalized, non-surgical approach to joint and soft-tissue care.
References:
- Montagnino, Jami et al. “Optimizing orthobiologic therapies with exercise, diet, and supplements.” PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation vol. 17,4 (2025): 452-462. doi:10.1002/pmrj.13320
