Mario Lopez has been working out most of his life, but at the age of 52, it’s starting to catch up to him.
“I’ve been getting injured consistently the last few years,” the Access Hollywood host exclusively tells Us Weekly.
Although Lopez likes to play golf, he admittedly gravitates toward “very physical, explosive sports” like jujitsu and boxing, which Dr. John Layke of the Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery Group tells Us “destroyed many of his joints” over time.
“I’ve torn my rotator cuff. I’ve torn both my biceps in each arm. I’ve torn my Achilles,” Lopez shares. “So, it’s been crazy.”
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Ultimately, Lopez was forced to undergo multiple operations, which left him with limited mobility. He says he “didn’t want any more surgeries,” so a friend introduced him to Layke, who, along with other physicians and scientists at Proactive Longevity, created a custom plan for the Saved by the Bell alum.
First, Lopez underwent a therapeutic plasma exchange, which detoxed his body of heavy metals, microplastics and inflammatory cholesterols, among other things. He’ll also get natural killer cell therapy, which clears out cancerous or infected cells, as well as intravenous and intra-articular injections of Muse stem cells and exosomes to repair and regenerate his body.
“[The plasma exchange] wasn’t that intense at all,” he tells Us. “You just kind of sit there for a couple hours, and then you get the IV. It’s like an oil change. All the stuff that comes out is actually really heavy. It’s wild.”
Lopez is still in the midst of preventative treatments but already feeling better and “training hard” in the gym again.
“I have come such a long way,” he enthuses. “I’m really excited to explore those options. I’m a little bit old-school, but I’m definitely embracing this new school.”
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The TV host adds that his mental health has improved as well, explaining, “I get really discouraged if I don’t get to break a sweat first thing in the morning. I feel stressed out. I get antsy.”
Layke tells Us he is “100 percent confident” that his patient will ” feel better, recover faster and reduce his risk of further injury” upon completion of the treatments.
Throughout his health struggles, Mario has been able to lean on his wife, Courtney Lopez, with whom he shares three children: daughter Gia, 15, and sons Dominic, 12, and Santino, 6.
“She’s been great. Very supportive,” he tells Us. “She taught me a little bit about slowing down and stuff. She didn’t want anything too severe to happen. So far it’s been a good balance. I promised her I’d be smarter. She’s happy that I’m doing this to take care of myself and my body.”
Dominic and Santino have also been there for their father, who shares, “I am excited to get back to jiujitsu. I do it with my boys too — Muay Thai and all that stuff.”
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Although Mario is on the road to recovery, his injuries have changed the way he thinks about aging.
“It makes you feel mortal,” he admits. “Even though I feel good psychologically and mentally — I still feel very young — the body tells you otherwise. You’ve just got to listen to it and just be smart, that’s all, because I’ve still got that motor that wants to go.”
Mario tells Us he hopes to stay fit and healthy for as long as he can.
“I think as you get older, the biggest flex you can have is being in shape, to be honest, and to be healthy,” he explains. “Being in shape is the ultimate sign of self-respect, dedication, work ethic, discipline. Your body is a billboard of your habits. Your health should always be the No. 1 priority.”
