I get asked almost daily about peptides and as of a few days ago the FDA has made another step toward approving a few peptides to be compounded (BPC 157, Thymosin, GHK-CU, CJC and AOD). There may be more coming.
First you need to know that the FDA had banned the production of 19 peptides in 2023 due to safety concerns and lack of long-term studies. They restricted the production of these substances by compounding pharmacies. To get around this, other facilities have been compounding them and selling them on the internet labeling themselves as “research facilities” which means they are NOT regulated for purity, safety or sterility. BUT, people want them so they buy it anyway.
I will be honest, I am having a VERY difficult time with people buying random injectable drugs off the internet without following any labs, understanding what they are taking and understanding the issues for safety not only of the drug but the manufacturing process.
This really reminds me of the movie, The Substance. Spoiler alert if you have never seen the movie but it the perfect analogy of what lengths people will go to for “anti-aging”. Basically, the star character played by Demi Moore wants to be younger desperately so she willingly purchases this “substance” of unknown ingredients, unknown action from an unknown source and injects it into her body. While it was “great” at first, things go terribly wrong (that part you will need to see for yourself) so by the end she becomes this grotesque version of herself and is completely deformed. I know this is a dramatic analogy but before you jump on the bandwagon and buy something that you don’t know where it comes from, what it is, what it is doing to your body and inject into yourself stop and take a moment to do your homework. There are some amazing peptides that have some incredible results when sourced and used properly. Let’s dig deeper so you know what you are dealing with!
First, a peptide is a chain of amino acids that are building blocks for proteins. These play important roles in processes like hormones, healing and immune function. They are being touted for anti-inflammation, muscle-building and anti-aging support. While everyone is acting like these are new and ground breaking you need to realize peptides have actually been around a long time.
For instance, insulin is actually a peptide and we all know that this is life-saving for diabetics especially Type 1 who cannot produce their own and was created in the 1920’s. There are peptides approved for osteoporosis (Forteo), growth hormone deficiency (Somatropin), constipation (Linzess), severe chronic pain (Prialt) and then the big one for diabetes and weight loss include GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound (semaglutide/tirzepatide). There are many lesser known ones, too. These MEDICATIONS can be life-changing but are not without their downsides and side-effects. They must be monitored with continued use. Long term studies have been very important in these powerful drugs and help dictate how long someone can be on the medication.
There are also some supplement forms of peptides that are available with good literature and examples include collagen peptides and creatine.
Then there is the next phase of peptides that are storming the internet: BPC 157, Thymosin, GHK-CU, semorelin, CJC-1295 and so many more. This week I will cover BPC-157 and Thymosin and the following weeks I will look at the others that are on the docket for approval.
READ ON to learn what you need to know about BPC-157 and Thymosin. There are some applications that can really make a difference! READ ON…
BPC 157: We naturally make this as a gastric peptide which helps with the integrity of the gut. Studies in animals show potential for promoting healing from injuries such as tendon ruptures, ligament tears, muscle injuries as well as gut health. There is a lot of buzz occurring in the research world and is continued to be investigated in many animal models with encouraging results. There are no human trials regarding safety and long-term use. I could only find two small case reports that had less than 20 people in each study with the only target of decreasing pain with limited injections. Results demonstrated it did help reduce the pain these people were experiencing. Let me point this out again, there are no human trials looking at safety, long term use and dosing. This becomes very important for the following reason… BPC – 157 promotes angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and cell growth. Because of the promotion of new blood vessels and cell growth this should not be used in anyone with cancer as it may promote growth and potentially make cancerous cells we are not aware of grow.
It is currently available as a supplement where you take it orally and this is probably sufficient for gut health issues. The injectable form is what the real compounding pharmacies will be producing soon.
My take:
- While the research really looks good, this drug should be used on a short-term basis only and not continued long term until there are actual human trials.
- Potentially good for joint/tendon repair and recovery after an injury and in the peri-operative period. Use this for a short period of time and then stop.
- Potentially good for healing the gut with ulcerative colitis, chrons’ and other serious gut issues – again short term.
- Do NOT purchase from a non-accredited facility. Use a licensed compounding pharmacy.
- Not approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency for sports.
Thymosin: another group of peptide hormones produced by the thymus which may help regulate immune function and aid in tissue repair. This enhances T-Cell immunity. It has been proposed to help restore immune balance, strengthen responses in elderly especially as an adjunct to vaccines in these populations, may help with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid, multiple sclerosis and lupus. In addition, may help some people during chemotherapy avoid infections. There are two main products: Thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4.
Thymosin alpha 1 is already a prescription drug called Zadaxin and known generically as thymalfasin. It is currently considered for Hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, cancer (including non-small cell lung cancer, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma) and in sepsis. This is not widely used in the United States however has been used in 70+ studies in over 3000 patients and counting. This is a well-studied peptide with some incredible results in some serious conditions but has not been studied as an anti-aging product.
Thymosin beta 4 shows a strong response to virally infected cells. It is currently being tested as a possible therapy against influenza, HIV, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome
This medication can create some elevated liver enzymes and needs to be monitored. Other rare side effects include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, muscle atrophy, nausea, vomiting, and neutropenia (lower white blood cell counts).
An interesting study referenced how Thymosin alpha 1 should be stored due to instability. This typically comes as a powder and you have to mix it prior to use. Basically, it needs to be kept very cold and avoid freeze and thaw cycles as this degrades the product. Once it is constituted it needs to be used within 2-7 days and stored in the freezer.
My take:
- The research regarding use in humans is strong. I think we need to consider this more for specific issues but be cautious using it as an anti-aging type of medication.
- Labs definitely need to be followed while on this medication watching for liver enzyme elevation.
- Potential indications would be uncontrolled autoimmune conditions and viral issues. Boosting immune function in someone who has a weakened immune function has been well studied but caution needs to be used in a fully suppressed immune system.
- This is typically dosed every third day up to 6 months at a time.
- Do NOT purchase from a non-accredited facility. Use a licensed compounding pharmacy.
- Not approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency for sports.
The bottom line is these are powerful and potentially amazing DRUGS. The GLP-1’s peptides have also been amazing, but we are still seeing newer side-effects emerge after long term use so please proceed with caution and under the supervision of a physician!
To your health,
Laura
