WHAT IS BPC 157?

BPC; Body Protection Compound, is a naturally occurring protein/peptide found in stomach acid that was first discovered in the early 1990s. BPC 157 is a peptide chain made of 15 amino acids that is synthetically produced based on the natural BPC found in the body; specifically found in stomach/gastric acid [1].

HOW DOES BPC 157 WORK?

BPC 157 is believed to benefit muscle and tendon healing by triggering the formation of new blood vessels – a process called angiogenesis (by increasing the transcription and signalling of growth factors like VEGF, NGF and EGF). 

This is why it is often used for its regenerative potential in particular it’s in helping heal wounds, injuries, and other types of damage in the body [4, 5].

A big interest currently being investigated is in helping with Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Because of its ability to increase new blood vessels, and help with blood flow/waste removal, it may have benefits in speeding up the recovery of an inflamed gut which is usually a notoriously slow process [6], make even harder via our modern diets rich in gut lining disruptors (glyphosate, gluten etc)

It’s also believed that BPC 157 may promote wound and tendon healing by blocking the growth-inhibiting effects of a specific molecule (called 4‐hydroxynonenal) [7].

In terms of helping to heal tendons (which some people are beginning to use it for) it has been studied to do this by causing tendon/ligement cells to make more receptors for growth signalling molecules. To be technical; it increases Growth Hormone (GH) receptor density. 

What does this mean?

Basically, it may help connective tissue such as tendons and ligaments repair from an injury quicker via speeding up the healing process. [8, 9].

BPC 157 is also believed to have anti inflammatory effects which is also believed to be what is contributing to its wound, ulcer and tissue healing effects. [10, 11].

BPC157 has also been shown to modulate the rate of collagen synthesis; which again, may help accelerate and assist in the recovery of any connective tissues injuries; ie tendons/ligaments, the lining of the GI Tract, as well as the skin and bone.

BPC 157  is also being shown to improve the activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and GABA. This potential modulation of neurotransmitters may have benefits for depression, seizures, pain, motivation/focus. Due to the gut brain axis, it may again further promote gut health (because serotonin is used for gut transit). More research is needed to understand exactly how BPC 157 works in the brain, but initial testing and studies show great promise [12, 13, 14, 3].

Finally,  BPC 157 can increase the production of nitric oxide (NO), which has benefits for the heart, cardiovascular systemm, circulation and blood pressure (by balancing it) and may also help with reducing high potassium levels [15, 16].

There seems to be fantastic synergistic effects from the mechanisms of BPC157: Promoting Nitric Oxide (NO) production with the new blood vessel formation (via VEGF/angiogenesis) helps oxygenate and nutrient enrich tissues, and remove metabolic waste, all of which would be beneficial for optimal health/function in all systems of the body.

Muscle and Tendon Healing:

In rats with Achilles tendon injuries, BPC 157 helped the tendons to heal almost completely, compared to control which did not make a full recovery [7, 5, 20].

Similarly, BPC 157 improved muscle healing for rats whose muscles had been injured. [21, 22, 23].

Organ Toxins and Damage:

BPC 157 might be useful in counteracting drug intoxication.

In rats, BPC 157 helped decreased the negative effects of amphetamines by helping counteract the chemical imbalances they can trigger, especially on the dopamine system [43, 44].

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD):

Perhaps one of the more powerful potential benefits of BPC 157 is its benefits for IBD. 

Both anecdotal and early clinical trials suggest BPC 157 as being safe and effective for helping with IBD. [6, 17, 18].

In rats with IBS, BPC 157 helped with reducing inflammation [6, 11, 19].

Burns, cuts and broken bones:

Other studies on mice and rats with cuts saw an improvement in healing when given BPC 157. It was even effective in diabetic rats, which is promising because diabetes can slow the process of wound healing [27, 28].

Injections with the peptide also spurred the healing of broken bones in rabbits [29].

Brain and nervous system:

BPC may have benefits for traumatic brain injury. 

In studies of rats with a traumatic brain injury that were given BPC 157 injections had less brain damage [30].

In a study on rats with nerve damage in their legs, BPC 157 injections helped the nerve cells regrow and heal [31].(Via up-regulation Nerve Growth Factor (NGF))

BPC 157 may also have a positive effect on mood. In one study, BPC 157 decreased depression-like behaviour in rats. Comparable to that of conventional antidepressants [33].

Stomach ulcers:

In rats with stomach ulcers BPC 157 appeared to help heal the ulcer. It also protected the rats’ intestines from alcohol induced damage [32, 34, 35, 36, 11, 37, 11].

NSAIDs Damage:

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen are known to cause damage to organs like the GI lining, stomach and liver if taken in high doses [39, 40].

BPC 157, either injected or consumed in drinking water, reversed these toxic effects in rats given NSAIDs [40, 41, 42, 38].

Pain:

BPC 157 may be a mild painkiller. Rats injected with the peptide experienced less pain to pinching and similar unpleasant stimuli. [45].

Blood pressure:

BPC 157 is believed to have a blood stabilizing effect in that it can either help bring blood pressure up or down. For example in one study on rats with high blood pressure BPC 157 reduced blood pressure, and in rats with abnormally low blood pressure BPC 157 increased blood pressure. [15].

Burns:

BPC 157

Mikus, D.,et al (2001). Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 cream improves burn-wound healing and attenuates burn-gastric lesions in mice. Burns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries, 27(8), 817–827. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0305-4179(01)00055-9

How to take BPC 157:

BPC 157 can either be taken via injection or orally. Until very recently injection was the only viable and effective way of gaining the benefits of BPC 157.

However recent advancements have occurred in delivery which allow BPC 157 to be just as effective when taken orally. In fact, taking BPC 157 orally may be more beneficial for the gut than injection.

The form of BPC 157 that has shown to be most effective orally is an Arginine salt based version of BPC 157; this form is the ‘stable form’ of BPC and has been shown to resisting stomach acid degradation much better than the other forms (acetate, sodium being the main other two)

In fact it’s the exact form of BPC 157 we use in our flagship gut healing product as well as in our injury healing product.

When do you take BPC 157?

BPC 157 can be taken at any time of the day.

However it is best to take it AWAY from food, as meals stimulate stomach acid and proteolytic (protein breaking) enzymes.

Although BPC-Arginine is stable in Stomach acid, the protein degrading enzyme pepsin may break down some of the peptide.

Thus taking it before food, and even with some bicarbonate or alkaline water to buffer stomach acid, will help prevent inactive pepsinogen converting to active pepsin (occurs at low pH) and will maximise the effectiveness of Oral BPC use! 

How long does it take for BPC 157 to work?

A lot of people wonder how long it takes for BPC 157 to start working. The truth is that like most supplements results vary from person to person and there are many factors which can effect this… However, typical improvements will usually be seen within 2 weeks to 1 month of regular use.

That said, there are a very small percentage of people who are non-responders. If nothing is noticed after an appropriately dosed month of use, then perhaps this peptide isn’t for you.

Where to buy BPC 157?

It can be fairly difficult to source high-quality BPC 157. However, here at LVLUP health we now stock it in the highest quality orally available form. 

How much BPC 157 should I take?

There are no definite BPC 157 dosing recommendations currently available. However, we have based our dosing on the current research available and feedback of practitioners to suggest an average ‘cover all / middle of the bell shaped curve’ dose of 500 mcg per day.

The dosage also depends on the purpose for use; as well as weight, height and gender. 

BPC 157 With or Without Food?

Injectable VS Oral BPC 157?

As we have previously mentioned BPC 157 initially only worked when injected. However, oral BPC 157 is almost as effective when taken orally thanks to recent breakthroughs in oral delivery [60], [61].

The oral form is estimated to be approximately 85-95% as effective/bioavailable as injectable (100%), again depending mainly on how and when it’s consumed.

The oral capsules although not quite as effective as SubQ injections, sure saves a lot of time, hassle, pain and sometimes histamine reactions (at the injection site; SubQ reaction only).

Is BPC 157 safe?

Yes, studies done on oral BPC 157 show it to be safe. [60,61,62,63] 

Of course, there have been no studies done on long term use. However, we do not believe in taking BPC 157 long term anyway. Most people only need to take it short term for specific reasons i.e injury and gut healing.

Is BPC 157 systemic?

Yes, when taken orally BPC 157 works systemically and is attracted to sites of inflammation.

Is BPC 157 FDA/TGA approved?

No, like most supplements BPC 157 is not FDA/TGA approved. It is naturally occurring, thus non patentable, therefore will likely not be studied enough (by pharma) to become an approved therapy. 

Is BPC 157 a steroid?

No BPC 157 is peptide, it is absolutely not a steroid and has no anabolic effects.

Does BPC 157 build muscle?

Taking BPC 157 won’t increase muscle size alone. However it does speed up healing and recovery, which means you may be able to train longer and harder. 

 Is BPC 157 banned is sport?

BPC157 is currently banned by WADA as of 2022.. idiots... can't have athletes being protected from TBI and connective tissue injuries which like neverrrrr occurs in professional sport.

For a full list of useful effective performance enhancing substances/ingredients, please see the full WADA banned substances list.