Supplements

Supplement Spotlight: BPC-157

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What is it?

BPC (body-protecting compound) is a 15-amino-acid peptide isolated from gastric juices that has been shown in multiple animal and human studies to increase angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the upregulation of blood vessel production and increased nitric oxide production while lowering inflammation.

What does this mean for us?

It means we have a substance capable of increasing blood flow to injured areas and dramatically improving recovery time after injury or surgery.

As the research continues to grow on this miraculous substance, it is clear that it can do far more than improve wound and injury healing. It extends to intestinal health, brain health, and cardiovascular function while even being speculated as a treatment for Covid 19.¹ When examining the research, the main concern is that the majority is in animal models; therefore, some information is anecdotal.

What does the evidence say?

Considerable research has been done on the benefits of BPC-157, particularly in these four areas:

Wound healing and injury recovery. BPC may increase angiogenesis and nitric oxide production at the injury site, mediated by VEGF2 (vascular endothelial growth factor 2). It has been demonstrated in multiple animal studies to improve wound healing and injury recovery time. Anecdotally, I have seen dramatically shortened healing time post-injury and post-surgery. Studies suggest that it has benefits in all different aspects of recovery from bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and even burn wounds.²

Neuroprotective qualities. BPC has been shown to have multiple (pleiotropic) effects, targeting many organs and systems. One of the significant action points of BPC is its ability to influence brain function. One study showed that BPC could aid in the recovery from alcohol consumption, both chronic and acute, and the use of amphetamines due to its ability to regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. It also reduced neuroinflammation and reversed damage from post-traumatic brain injury(concussion).³

Gut Health. BPC was initially isolated from gastric juices, so it should have protective effects on gastrointestinal health. Animal studies back this up by saying it positively affects Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and gastric ulcers. Studies also indicate that when co-administered with an overdose of NSAIDs, it mitigates the gut and organ damage associated with it.⁴

BPC-157 is a potent wound healer, which translates to its ability to heal the lining of the gastrointestinal system. We hear about the issues with leaky gut, and BPC use has been shown to affect its repair positively.⁵

Cardiovascular System. BPC-157 has many mechanisms of action in the human body, which extend to the heart and cardiovascular system. Studies show that it positively affects heart failure, arrhythmias, and thrombosis. However, further studies show that it can directly affect the epithelium and the endothelium, meaning it can directly affect the barriers of arteries, veins, and capillaries.

Its ability to increase angiogenesis has been shown to bypass places where blockages may occur. Furthermore, it has also been shown to lower blood pressure in those who are high and improve it in those who are low.⁶

BPC-157 has also been shown to affect the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, and its far-reaching effects are hard to believe.

Dosages and Side Effects

In animal studies, there doesn’t seem to be a toxic high end of BPC-157, even in cases where researchers attempted to find the upper dosage. However, it must be noted that few studies in humans have found an upper dose.

BPC-157 can be taken through injection or orally. It is thought that taking it orally may only affect the gastrointestinal tract, but it does have effects systemically when taken orally. When administered, it doesn’t have to be injected at the site of injury.

Dosages for injection are generally about 250mcg, twice daily, and oral administration may need to be slightly higher due to some loss in digestion. A higher dose of oral administration typically comes to 1000mcg per day.

Final thoughts

Although the mechanisms of action can be confusing if you do not understand the scientific side, it is important to realize that BPC-157 almost seems miraculous in its ability to heal injuries and wounds in the animal model. Also, its effects don’t seem localized but extend to nearly every facet of the body.

When I first began to read the research on BPC, I couldn’t believe its pleiotropic effects, and this should be considered when dealing with many health issues mentioned above and be rotated in and out of protocols.