The market for supplements is vast, with various formulations meant to target health issues while offering additional benefits or compelling results. It’s no wonder many people are overwhelmed with what to choose when wanting to try supplements, let alone finding what may work the best for them and their unique goals, needs, and other circumstances. It should also be noted that the primary function of a supplement may overshadow its other potential benefits – but sometimes, these accompanying advantages may be just the ticket for addressing your needs.
For example, though BPC-157 is typically used for combating inflammation, promoting gut health, and promoting tissue recovery after surgery or injury, it can also help you recover more quickly after a workout. The supplement has also shown promise for weight loss. Learn more about why you should consider including the peptide BPC-157 into your routine for its weight loss and muscle recovery benefits.
What Is the Peptide BPC-157?
Body Protecting Compound 157, or BPC-157, is composed of 15 different amino acids and is created from gastric juices. As with all peptides within the body, this compound performs a distinct function – primarily, supporting tissue regeneration. It is this function and the accompanying benefits that have made BPC-157 an especially popular formula among individuals building a supplement regimen.
Peptides are long chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds and are considered the building blocks of proteins. There are more than 7,000 naturally-occurring peptides within the body, one of which is BPC-157.
How Does BPC-157 Heal the Body?
BPC-157 has been identified as an essential peptide for gut health support and many other benefits and use cases. The most notable of these is the use of BPC-157 for rapid healing and recovery,
BPC-157 works to heal the body by supporting the regenerative process, during which our cells restore and rebuild tissue by increasing the rate of cellular production. Body Protecting Compound 157 possesses regenerative properties that prompt angiogenesis – the process of producing new blood vessels (capillary tissue) – as well as an increase in collagen. This combination of increasing blood flow and collagen production is what encourages the healing impact of BPC-157.
The restorative effects of this peptide compound are particularly evident as they pertain to recovery after muscle damage and tendon tears, both common athletic injuries. BPC-157 may also be significantly effective for those who may heal or recover at a naturally slower rate, such as older individuals and people managing a chronic illness.
Many people choose to use Body Protecting Compound 157 by applying it topically to the area of soreness or injury, but ingesting this peptide is arguably even more beneficial. Including BPC-157 as part of your supplement routine can administer its regenerative properties to the overall body, helping to support one’s general well-being since not every area of the body that requires restoration may be as apparent as others.
Exploring the Utilization of BPC-157 for Weight Loss
BPC-157 may be considered one of the best peptides for weight loss – but this is not because it works like other supplements that enhance your workout performance or maintain energy levels. Instead, this peptide’s functions help to support a decrease in body fat through crucial chemical processes. BPC-157 naturally targets inflammation throughout the body, some of which is a result of obesity, which is considered to be an inflammatory condition. Many people experience weight loss after implementing BPC-157 into their regular routine because this specific peptide aids the body by combating inflammation, maintaining blood sugar levels, and increasing a person’s metabolic rate.
These processes ultimately support a person’s gut health by aiding the digestive system, including the breakdown of fat cells, eliminating the fat reserves stored throughout the body, and jump-starting an individual’s weight loss. Research shows that BPC-157 can increase lean muscle mass, boost levels of adiponectin (regulatory hormone for metabolism), and adjust the degree of the body’s tolerance for glucose. This releases the hormone insulin, which functions to stabilize blood sugar levels, and thus, the body can burn fat more efficiently.
For these reasons, it’s thought that opting to take BPC-157 via oral ingestion is the most effective method, as opposed to injection or topical application, due to its potential for systemic results. More accurately, all third-party and peer-reviewed studies [PDF] comparing the effects of BPC-157 when administered orally versus through injection found the two to be equally powerful across the board for the peptide’s wide variety of applications. The injectable form of the compound wasn’t shown to be more advantageous for systemic impact in comparison to BPC-157 in capsule form, and in some instances, oral ingestion yielded superior positive effects throughout the body.
Recovery Benefits of Including BPC-157 in Your Regimen
BPC 157’s effect on healing the body after injury and potential for supporting weight loss has real life results. As mentioned, BPC-157 has additionally been shown to help reduce the harmful impacts of particularly resistant disorders or chronic conditions that frequently present inflammation. This can lead to quicker recovery after a workout, even for those who have inflammation issues like arthritis.
The compound initiates the body’s normal healing response without causing inflammation or further irritation while doing so. Individuals may be able to overcome disorders that result in inflammation along with improving overall joint health by diminishing the harmful impacts that inflammation can have on the joints. Furthermore, the regenerated tissues that BPC-157 yields are less susceptible to oxidation, meaning they’re potentially stronger than the original tissue.
Conducted research also suggests that BPC-157 use allows for quicker recovery and safer healing. Body Protecting Compound 157 is effective in increasing the rate of thorough soft tissue restoration, including muscle and tendon tissue. While the body initiates the healing process, the peptide has also been shown to combat or avoid several adverse side effects that can occur. During recovery, the activity within a person’s immune system intensifies, which can accompany negative health conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease; however, BPC-157 has the potential to circumvent these instances, ultimately resulting in a more beneficial recovery process overall.
A Note About Brain Function, Alcohol and ED Treatment
BPC-157’s use as a muscle recovery and weight loss aid has additional benefits of its own. For example, the compound’s actions as an ethanol (alcohol) antagonist mean it may deter consumption for those with alcohol use disorder. Long-term use of BPC-157 has also been indicated to help reduce liver damage, particularly when taking the peptide in cycles. The most effective regimen is likely six weeks on and four weeks off.
Improved brain function is also among the compound’s potential benefits since BPC-157 appears to have a healthy impact on the body’s nervous system, helping combat stress, anxiety, and depression. The BPC-157 peptide is known to increase blood flow, including through angiogenesis and vasculogenesis (artery and vein creation) and repairing blood vessels. This suggests positive results for combatting the effects of erectile dysfunction, a condition caused by a reduction in blood flow.
Is Taking BPC-157 Safe?
Generally, BPC-157 is considered safe, although its recent discovery still designates it as an experimental supplement, and the peptide has yet to be approved by the FDA. BPC-157 does not require a prescription to purchase but is available for legal purchase when sold by a licensed pharmacist who approves its use for potential health benefits. Further trials can help researchers measure and evaluate the effects of BPC-157, but anecdotal findings and scientific research have indicated positive results thus far.
Additionally, BPC-157 has been banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, preventing athletes and other professionals in the realm of sports from using the compound due to its associations with performance-enhancing qualities. While this peptide is safe for human consumption, it’s vital to remember that, as with any supplement, every person’s body chemistry is unique and may react to certain compounds much differently compared to someone else’s experience.
Potential Side Effects
When implementing anything new into your daily supplement regimen, it’s important to practice caution and remain aware of how your body may react. Additionally, understand that the potential benefits of BPC-157 are not instantaneous and may vary in efficacy depending on the individual.
The possible negative side effects of taking BPC-157 are limited but may inform your choice of whether to incorporate this peptide into your health journey or not. Potential side effects include dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea.
One approach to combating these possible adverse side effects is to be conscious of dosage. For oral ingestion, the average recommended dosage is between 200 and 300 micrograms. To calculate your individual needs, you can use the accepted formula: take between 2.5 and 3.75 micrograms for each kilogram of your current body weight. Since the body’s metabolism dilutes the peptide (decreasing the absorption rate of active ingredients), you may opt to increase your dosage slightly to account for this and ensure the maximum effective amount of BPC-157 is absorbed into the body.
As with any supplement, you may opt to begin with a smaller dose at first, then incrementally increase your dose slightly with time so you can note how your body reacts. This strategy also allows time for the peptide to work as it builds up in your system. You may not experience noticeable results right away, so it’s advised that you try BPC-157 for at least a week before determining whether it’s effective for you.
FAQs About Body Protecting Compound 157
There are many aspects of established peptide supplements that consumers are curious about, especially the experimental peptides that are newer to the market as well as public consciousness.
These are some frequently asked questions regarding peptides and BPC-157:
Find BPC-157 and Other Peptides at Compounding Pharmacy of America
BPC-157 and other peptides are the subject of much research due to their potential for speeding healing after surgery or severe injury and reducing bodily inflammation.
They have the additional potential to provide some serious weight loss and workout recovery benefits. If you’re looking to lose weight and get fit, BPC-157 may be the ultimate way to double-dip in the peptide benefits.
If you’d like to learn more about Body Protecting Compound 157, other peptide supplements, or any other wellness compounds, subscribe to our Wellness Blog.
With the right mix of supplements and fitness and nutrition tips, you can get closer to finding the wellness regimen that’s right for you.
Sources:
- Chang, C.-H., Tsai, W.-C., Hsu, Y.-H., & Su Pang, J.-H. (2014). Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Enhances the Growth Hormone Receptor Expression in Tendon Fibroblasts. Molecules, 19(11), 19066–19077. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191119066
- Lee, E., & Padgett, B. (2021). Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 27(4), 8–13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34324435/
- Chang, C.-H., Tsai, W.-C., Lin, M.-S., Hsu, Y.-H., & Pang, J.-H. S. (2011). The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 110(3), 774–780. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010
- Boban-Blagaic A;Blagaic V;Romic Z;Jelovac N;Dodig G;Rucman R;Petek M;Turkovic B;Seiwerth S;Sikiric P. (2014). The influence of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on acute and chronic ethanol administration in mice. The effect of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and L-arginine. Medical Science Monitor : International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 12(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16369461/
- Chang, C.-H., Tsai, W.-C., Lin, M.-S., Hsu, Y.-H., & Pang, J.-H. S. (2011). The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 110(3), 774–780. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010
- Sikiric, P., Šeparovic, J., Buljat, G., Anic, T., Stancic-Rokotov, D., Mikus, D., Marovic, A., Prkacin, I., Duplancic, B., Zoricic, I., Aralica, G., Lovric-Bencic, M., Ziger, T., Perovic, D., Rotkvic, I., Mise, S., Hanzevacki, M., Hahn, V., Seiwerth, S., & Turkovic, B. (2000). The antidepressant effect of an antiulcer pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in Porsolt’s test and chronic unpredictable stress in rats. A comparison with antidepressants. Journal of Physiology-Paris, 94(2), 99–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0928-4257(00)00148-0
- Pfiffner, M. (2022). BPC-157 Research Analysis. Examine.com. https://examine.com/supplements/bpc-157/
Chief Operating Officer, The Compounding Pharmacy of America
Matthew Poteet, Pharm.D. graduated with Honors from Lee University with a Bachelors of Science in Biological Science. After his undergraduate training, he completed the Doctor of Pharmacy program at Mercer University Southern School of Pharmacy, graduating in 2004. Dr. Poteet has spent much of his pharmacy career on staff at two of the most prestigious academic teaching hospitals in the Southeast; Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. At these institutions he received extensive experience and training in sterile products compounding.
He returned home to East Tennessee in 2010, where he has held the position of Pharmacy Director at two sterile products pharmacies in Knoxville. Matthew lives in Knoxville with his wife, Chris. Dr. Poteet is Tennessee’s first Board Certified Anti-Aging Pharmacist by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
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