Deep Dive: What is BPC-157?
BPC stands for 'Body Protection Compound' and that's exactly what BPC-157 (also called Bepecin) does. It's a long oligopeptide amino acid that was discovered during research on human gastric juices, and it's in the forefront of some interesting and encouraging research for a number of illnesses and disorders. While most research is in the preclinical stage, BPC-157 has already shown properties relating to quicker tissue and organ healing, plus anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. Body trauma from accidents or surgery, the long term effects of illness or disorders and their treatments may respond to supplementation with BPC-157.
What is BPC-157 Good For?
BPC-157 is not new, and it's therapeutic properties were noted in scientific papers as far back as 1999. In a recent paper from 2021 available from the National Institutes of Health, researchers noted in the abstract:
Likewise, in BPC 157 therapy, there is specific support for each of these topics: counteracted encephalopathies; alleviated vascular occlusion disturbances (stroke); counteracted dopamine disturbances (dopamine receptors blockade, receptors super sensitivity development, or receptor activation, over-release, nigrostriatal damage, vesicles depletion), and nitric oxide-system disturbances (“L-NAME non-responsive, L-arginine responsive,” and “L-NAME responsive, L-arginine responsive”) (schizophrenia therapy); inflammation reduction, nerve recovery in addition to alleviated hemostasis and vessels function after compression (spinal cord injury therapy). Thus, these disturbances may be all resolved within the same agent’s beneficial activity, i.e., the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157.
Vascular occlusion can be a stroke or heart blockage, while dopamine disturbances can include diverse conditions such as Parkinson's disease and ADHD. Other activities including protection of a cellular level, allowing lesions and ulcers of the brain, liver, gut, and even pancreatitis to improve. Additionally, in this abstract from Gut & Liver, BPC-157 may be a powerful adjunct to chemotherapy.
First, BPC 157 protects stomach cells and maintains gastric integrity against various noxious agents (Robert’s killing cell by contact) and is continuously present in the gastric mucosa and gastric juice. Additionally, BPC 157 protects against the adverse effects of alcohol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the gastric epithelium and other epithelia, that is, skin, liver, pancreas, heart (organoprotection), and brain, thereby suggesting its use in wound healing. Additionally, BPC 157 counteracts gastric endothelial injury that precedes and induces damage to the gastric epithelium and generalizes “gastric endothelial protection” to protection of the endothelium of other vessels (thrombosis, prolonged bleeding, and thrombocytopenia). BPC 157 also has an effect on blood vessels, resulting in vessel recruitment that circumvents vessel occlusion and the development of additional shunting and rapid bypass loops to rapidly reestablish the integrity of blood flow (ischemic/reperfusion colitis, duodenal lesions, cecal perforation, and inferior vena caval occlusion). Lastly, BPC 157 counteracts tumor cachexia, muscle wasting, and increases in pro-inflammatory/procachectic cytokines, such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and significantly corrects deranged muscle proliferation and myogenesis through changes in the expression of FoxO3a, p-AKT, p-mTOR, and p-GSK-3β (mitigating cancer cachexia).
As a cancer patient currently in remission and recovery from Stage 4b colorectal cancer, that last sentence has a lot of meaning to me, and as a woman diagnosed two decades ago with an autoimmune disorder, it means even more to be able to have access to this compound.
But even for those of us who are healthy, BPC doesn't just mitigate, but may even help heal serious injuries such as tendon ruptures. In this paper at the National Institutes of Health published in 2014, the researcher notes:
This study demonstrated the promoting effect of BPC 157 on tissue healing is potentially associated with the increased expression of growth hormone receptor in tendon fibroblasts. This finding also suggests a different way to promote the tissue healing by increasing the expression of growth hormone receptor to promote the beneficial effect of growth hormone in terms of enhanced proliferation. In addition, the amount of growth hormone used can theoretically be reduced and also the cost of therapy. BPC 157 may play an important role in promoting tendon healing and potential clinical usage in the future is expected.
The evolution of the gut/brain and gut/body axis shows how vital compounds synthesised from our own organic chemicals are to our health.
What Form of BPC-157 Should I Use?
BPC-157 does not break down in the stomach, in fact that's its natural environment. Taking the supplement per oral (by mouth) is the most common and cost effective way to add BPC-157 to your supplement regime. It is available as an injectable, but you would need to purchase syringes. BPC-157 is also packaged as a nasal spray, which can be unpleasant if a faster route of absorption. Topical creams and gels are also available, and an excellent way to help with healing incisions or skin disorders. Whether in caplets or tablets, BPC-157 per oral is the most convenient way to administer this potent and helpful amino acid.
What Brands of BPC-157 Do You Carry at National Discount Nutrition?
At National Discount Nutrition, we carry top proven brands of all kinds of supplements for your health and healing journey as well as for fitness. Maxlife BPC-157 is one of our favorite brands and very budget friendly, making it a great starting point on your healing journey. Another option from Maxlife is ProHeal+ which contains BPC-157 and another potent peptide called TB500 for maximum healing power.*
Infiniwell has a more extensive and diverse line, encompassing both rapid and delayed release BPC supplements in capsule and tablet form. Infiniwell BPC-157 dosages are 250mcg and 500mcg, making it possible to build a regime that can address short-term and long-term needs. Also available from Infiniwell is BPC-157 with the added probiotic Akkermansia - a gut bacterium currently under study for its potential effects on obesity, sugar metabolism, heart disease, and gut health.
Whatever your personal health goal. National Discount Nutriotion owner Travis Edmundson has the experience and the products to help you on your journey.
Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA. These articles are meant to inform, but not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, injury, or disorder. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding your baby, please consult your OB or pediatrician. If you are taking medication, or are in active treatment for a chronic condition, consult with your doctors by specialty. This supplement is not intended for children, and individual results may vary.