One Day MD | Evidence-Based Wellness

In these past few years, stem cells, PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and exosomes have been hot topics among researchers and doctors. However, these forms of treatments are often mixed up and are confusing for most average consumers.  As of February 2026, there are  more than 300,000 studies  related to "stem cell",  more than 40,000 studies  published related to exosome and  more than 17,000 studies  related to PRP on PubMed (US NIH Library of Medicine Database).  Nevertheless, stem cell, PRP and exosome-related therapies are not yet established as standard treatments, given their relatively recent emergence. Regenerative medicine is also becoming a buzzword in the medical community. Why? Because the human body is specially equipped to heal itself, and regenerative therapies tap into this powerful ability. Regenerative medicine includes treatments like stem cell therapy, exosome therapy and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. Researc...

Regenerative biologics like exosomes , platelet-rich plasma (PRP) , and stem cells are increasingly discussed in aesthetic and regenerative medicine. But what are they , how are they different , and what does science actually support ? This guide breaks it down in clear, evidence-based terms. 1. What Are These Therapies? Exosomes Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles (≈30–150 nm) that cells naturally release to communicate with each other — carrying proteins, RNA, growth factors, and signaling molecules. They do not contain living cells or DNA , and instead act as biological messengers that influence neighboring cells. ( One Day MD ) Exosomes are studied for tissue repair, inflammatory modulation, and regenerative signaling — which is why they’re becoming popular in skin and hair aesthetics. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) PRP is derived from a patient’s own blood. Blood is centrifuged to concentrate platelets, which release growth factors that can help support local tissue healing an...

PRP or Platelet-rich plasma, is a substance that’s thought to promote healing when injected. Plasma is a component of your blood that contains special “factors,” or proteins, that help your blood to clot. It also contains proteins that support cell growth. Researchers have produced PRP by isolating plasma from blood and concentrating it. The idea is that injecting PRP into damaged tissues will stimulate your body to grow new, healthy cells and promote healing. Because the tissue growth factors are more concentrated in the prepared growth injections, researchers think the body’s tissues may heal faster. Famous athletes like Tiger Woods and tennis star Rafael Nadal have been known to use these injections to help heal injuries. Is PRP an Effective Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis? As of February 2024, more than 120 studies had been launched to investigate the benefits of PRP (platelet rich plasma) and knee osteoarthritis. You can review the status of these trials on  clinicaltrials.go...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. OA of the knee happens when the cartilage — the cushion between the knee joints — breaks down. This can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. There is no cure for OA of the knee, but treatment can help relieve discomfort and slow the damage. It can improve also your quality of life and help you better keep up with your day-to-day activities. Your treatment options will depend on your individual needs. These include your medical history, level of pain, and the impact of OA on your daily life. Treatment usually includes a combination of therapies and lifestyle choices. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a novel treatment for managing pain related to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Some PRP preparations have approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but approval does not yet cover the use of PRP in OA of the knee. Nevertheless, some clinics may offer it “off-label”. Following is a review of the available effectiveness dat...

(Regenexx.com) - While we were the first clinic on earth to use bone marrow stem cells to treat a myriad of common orthopedic conditions, the funny thing is, we have never used stem cells as our first-line orthobiologic of choice. Why? As I tell my patients every week, it’s my job to choose the least invasive, cheapest therapy that’s the most likely to work. If that’s stem cells, then great. If that’s something else that’s less invasive and less expensive, all my patients care about is that it helps their pain and gets them back to what they love to do. Let me explain. The Stem Cell Wild West There is so much fraud going on out there that it’s hard to fathom. First, we have an entire industry of practitioners delivering fake stem cell treatments via amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissues, like blood and Wharton’s jelly. What Tools Do I Use? The other day I did an experiment. I asked our practice CEO to pull data on the number of platelet-based procedures versus bone marrow stem c...

A few patients have been asking about using exosomes or extra-cellular vesicles to treat their aches and pains.   Facebook Hype Abounds The exosome hype machine is running non-stop 24-7 on social media. For example, here’s what I pulled up today just searching that term: Three patient groups and one industry group came up. Enter into any of these groups, and patients will pitch exosomes to treat every known disease. What the Heck is an Exosome (Extracellular Vesicle)? Your cells are in constant communication with each other. If we consider these conversations, then exosomes are the words being said. In reality, cells “talk” to one another by emitting small extracellular vesicles with a message, kind of like a note in a bottle tossed into the ocean. While exosome products can’t legally be sold and marketed (more on that below), they are widely sold. They come in two flavors. The first is just amniotic fluid that is placed in an ultracentrifuge to get all of the exosomes that happen ...