Are you interested in supplements? You may have seen the word BPC – 157 floating around and wondered what exactly it is?

The acronym BPC stands for body protective compound.

BPC – 157 is a synthetic peptide.  In its natural form, it can be found in small amounts in the body’s gastric juices.  The chain of 15 amino acids is based upon this substance found in the human stomach.

The article below will take a look at BPC – 157 and the current research around it.

What Is BPC – 157?

BPC – 157 is currently sold online as a supplement.  It is claimed it could aid healing, increase cell regeneration, and heal joint problems amongst other uses.  However, all these claims are currently unproven in humans.

You can view the compound summary of BPC – 157 here.

At this point, there have been no studies on BPC – 157 in humans.  Studies on BPC – 157 have been conducted mainly on small rodents but have shown promising results on its potential therapeutic and regenerative uses however more research is needed.

Use Of Peptides

Peptides are small chains of amino acids.  They are found naturally in a lot of different foods such as meat, fish, lentil, and oats.  Your body also makes peptides.

Synthetic peptides are made to mimic naturally occurring peptides that are found in food and also in our bodies.

You will find them in skin care products, some medications, and also in supplements.

According to the international peptide community different peptides are generally well tolerated by the body as many are naturally produced by the body.  Currently there are around 60 peptides that are regulated by the FDA.

You can find a some of the FDA regulated peptides here

BPC – 157 is not currently regulated by the FDA.

Commonly Used Peptides and Collagen

Collagen is a commonly used peptide supplement which is utilised by some people for various different reasons.

Many people believe collagen supplements can boost skin health and slow down the ageing process as our body’s collagen levels decrease as we get older.

One of the reasons our collagen production decreases as we grow older is that collagen becomes fragmented.  Cells called fibroblasts which produce collagen can become impaired.

BPC – 157 may positively stimulate fibroblasts and therefore increase the level of collagen.

In this study rodents treated with BPC -157 had an improvement on the control subjects in terms of collagen production, granular tissue and angiogenesis. These three processes are what influences overall wound healing.

As the college provides such a vital role in our bodies it is always worth keeping up with research on how we might be able to improve our collagen production as we age.

BPC – 157 and The Gut

One of the interesting things about BPC – 157 is where the natural protein is derived from.

As its natural form is found in the gut and has a protective healing function there, research has been interested in how this healing function may be utilized in other areas of the body.

The brain gut axis first proposed by Pavlov in 1904 is still poorly understood by science.  However, it is suggested that there is a link between the gut and brain function. There may also be a relationship between gut microbiota. This is an extremely complex bodily system that is not fully understood by medicinal science at present.

Areas Of Research into BPC – 157 Benefits

There are many potential benefits to BPC – 157 that have been suggested through research on small rodents.  These areas require further research to substantiate the claims.

Potential uses of BPC-157 included

  • Healing of injuries, such as tendon damage or muscular injuries
  • Joint discomfort
  • Therapy for rheumatoid arthritis
  • Bowel or digestive issues
  • Ulcers
  • Improved mood
  • Reduced Anxiety
  • Reduced Inflammation

Potential People Who May Consider BPC – 157 Supplementation

BPC – 157 may be of particular use to certain groups of people.

Sports people and professional athletes – BPC -157 could be of interest to sports people and professional athletes to help recover from injuries faster.  Anyone suffering from a troubling injury may be interested in supplementation to help deal with the injury if they are having trouble with their recovery.

Tendon or ligament injury are often concerns of athletes, runners, body builders or anyone who enjoys working out.

Working out is essential for our health and wellbeing and can be very beneficial for mental health therefore if we get an injury which prevents us from working out it can be debilitating and distressing.

When a tendon or ligament is damaged they may not be connected to adequate blood vessels to heal effectively.  BPC – 157 may help with formation of blood vessels and blood supply.  This has not been scientifically proven in human studies yet however studies on small rodents have shown promising results.

BPC – 157 could benefit older people and may help combat general wear and tear associated with ageing.  There has been hope that BPC-157 could help reduce joint pain and general inflammation in the body however further research is needed.

Studies Examining BPC – 157 In Animals

One area of interest in this compound is the ability to help the body heal wounds faster and more efficiently.

BPC- 157 has been shown to possibly increase angiogenesis in animals.

Angiogenesis is how the body forms new blood vessels.  In one study BPC -157 promoted the growth of new blood vessels in the damaged limbs of rats. 

Angiogenesis is essential to support wound healing so it may be that taking BPC – 157 can speed up the recovery time from injuries or wounds.

BPC – 157 and Soft Tissue Healing

One of the biggest reasons BPC – 157 is being looked at for supplementation is in the area of soft tissue damage, particularly tendon and ligament damage.

These types of injuries can be particularly difficult to recover from and they often occur in professional sports players or those with a keen interest in sports.  These types of injuries can be devastating and have a huge effect on people’s lives.

Some research has seen positive results in smaller rodents using BCP – 157 to promote bone-to-tendon healing and also improved healing in Achilles tendon injuries and muscle injuries.

This article provides a useful analysis of some of the current research around BPC – 157 and the limitations there are around what we know about the use of it as a supplement currently.

BPC – 157 and The Brain-Gut Axis

There is some speculation that BPC – 157 can have benefits for mental health.

The brain-gut axis is the communication and connection between the gut and intestines and brain.   Neurons in the gut are connected to the brain through nerves.  The gut produces much of the body’s serotonin, also quantities of dopamine, melatonin, and oxycontin all of which are responsible for mood and well-being.

It has been suggested that BPC – 157 can increase serotonin and therefore improve mood.  This was shown in a study in rats however the mechanism by which the BPC – 157 achieved this increase in serotonin is not understood or clear.

BPC – 157 and Bowel Health

Due to this relationship with the gut it could be that BPC – 157 may help sufferers with bowel problems and diseases.

Sufferers of ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) experience swelling and inflammation. It may be that BPC-157 could help reduce swelling and ease some symptoms.

BPC – 157 and Protective Effects

Whether BPC – 157 has a protective effect when absorbed in various parts of the body.

A study conducted in rats found that BPC – 157 had a protective and healing effect on nerve damage in rats’ brains when modelled with the effects of multiple sclerosis.  This healing mechanism is suggested to have occurred within the guts of the animals.

More research is needed and no studies have been carried out on humans but BPC -157 could be useful in having a healing or protective effect on the brain through its function in the gut.  However, it is unclear how or if this would work through the supplementation of synthetic BCP -157.

Potential Medicinal Uses of BPC – 157

There are several areas of medicine where BPC – 157 could be applied and warrants further research after promising results of small rodents.

One study suggested that BPC – 157 may be capable of reversing the effects of amphetamine by modulating dopamine in the body. 

Another suggested that BPC – 157 may benefit spinal injuries in rats.  44

It has been suggested in studies that BPC -157 has anti-inflammatory effects.

Stability Of BPC – 157

One of the promising areas of BPC – 157 is its ability to remain stable once ingested for a period of more than one day.  This is because its natural form is native to the gut and resistant to human gastric juices.

BPC -157 is easily dissolved in water.

Dosing With BPC – 157

As there have been no clinical human trials on this supplement it is impossible to determine what dose of BCP – 157 should be administered as it currently remains a research chemical.

Current research suggests the most effective way to administer may be through injecting directly to the muscle.

However it can also be administered orally or nasally.

Studies have shown promising results when BPC-157 has been applied with different methods including injections or topical applications.  More research has to be conducted to determine the most effective way of administering BCP -157 however the fact that results have been seen in different applications makes this an extremely interesting compound for future research and potential applications.

Availability of BPC – 157

BPC -157 is available online but is considered a research chemical.  If you are considering purchasing BPC – 157 make sure you are buying from a reputable vendor.

If you are interested in looking further into peptides the international peptide society may have further information for you.

Lifestyle and Supplementation

Considering a holistic approach to your health can be worthwhile.

In some cases alternative therapies can be beneficial and work alongside conventional medicine.

Having a healthy lifestyle and diet is the cornerstone to achieving good health and can help overcome or manage symptoms of chronic injuries and conditions.

Possible Side Effects

Further research is required to ascertain the long term side effects of BPC-157 as it is not currently licensed for human consumption and remains a research chemical.

When experimenting with any new supplement it is wise to monitor for any new side effects or reactions your body may have.

Possible side effects to look out for could include things like.

  • Any sort of pain or discomfort, itchiness or uncomfortableness around the area which the BPC-157 has been administered whether that be injected or applied topically.
  • Keep track of your blood pressure, if you find it has changed report this to your doctor immediately.
  • Monitor your energy levels
  • Any swelling or bloated Ness
  • Any discoloration or bruising of the skin

These are just examples of possible side effects when making any changes to your diet or health regime. It is always a good idea to consult a trained medical professional. Any changes you experience in your body should be carefully monitored and checked.

Conclusion

In conclusion BPC – 157 has shown promising results in trials in rodents for numerous uses.  Clearly this compound warrants further investigation and research and may be very useful.

Currently it remains a research chemical although it is available as a supplement online.  Those who are interested should conduct their own research.

Always contact a medical professional when making decisions surrounding your health or any chronic conditions or injuries.

 Sources

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326701#summary

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8275860/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5333585/

https://doctorpaulvin.com/blog/heal-and-maximize-your-performance-with-bpc-157/

https://peptidesociety.org/what-are-peptide-therapeutics/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4359909/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cmi.12585

Collagen: Benefits, Side Effects, and More (healthline.com)

BPC 157’s effect on healing – PubMed (nih.gov)

BPC-157 Dosage: How To Use It To Heal Your Body | Yunique Medical

Antiinflammatory effect of BPC 157 on experimental periodontitis in rats – PubMed (nih.gov)