As an athlete, it’s crucial to keep your body physically active and in peak condition at all times.
But when injuries or tissue damage inevitably come around, getting back to your fully optimized self can feel like a slow uphill battle.
And while our bodies are exceptionally intelligent machines with respect to the natural healing process, this is NOT the same thing as a quick recovery.
The good news is peptide therapy can accelerate your body’s natural mechanisms of recovery and return you back to 100% ASAP.
I AM endorsing it as a serious game-changer for athletes and biohackers who desire to bounce back quicker and return to the gym.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the benefits of peptides for athletes, my top recommended peptides for injury recovery, and why they’re a must-have if you aim to return to peak performance in days instead of weeks.
The Injury Recovery Process Explained
First, let’s understand how the human body naturally recovers from an injury.
The most common types of injuries involve connective tissue and muscle tissue, which cause strains or sprains of tendons/ligaments.
Connective tissue injuries have slower recovery rates, and there are phases of regeneration and repair that all damaged tissue has to go through.
Generally, when you get injured, your body goes through a specific biological process.
The first step is pain and inflammation, followed by the growth of new cells, and then remodeling so the tissues can return to their original state.
So going back to the introduction, we want to SUPPORT this natural repair process already innate in our biological programming so we can reach full recovery much faster.
While there are several effective therapies for healing, I AM convinced peptides are the best option for significantly increasing the speed and degree of injury repair and wound regeneration.
How Promising Are Peptides for Injury Recovery?
To review, peptides are strings of amino acids known as the “building blocks” of proteins.
More specifically, the naturally-occurring peptides in our body play a key role in injury recovery and wound healing.
When an injury occurs, it triggers various biological cascades that include the release of specific endogenous peptides.
These peptides act as messengers that prompt cells to migrate to the site of the injury, stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, and initiate the repair process.
Furthermore, peptides play a role in inflammation, which is both a blessing and a curse in the overall healing process.
ACUTE inflammation is necessary for healing (and even for building muscle), but where inflammation gets a bad rap is when it becomes chronic and/or excessive beyond what is required for the body to heal completely.
By modulating the inflammatory response, peptides can simultaneously promote acute inflammation while keeping chronic inflammation at bay.
Additionally, peptides can stimulate angiogenesis (i.e. the formation of new blood vessels).
Since blood vessels deliver oxygen and nutrients to the healing tissue, this process is critical for effective tissue repair.
Other avenues where peptides play a pivotal role in the body’s natural regenerative processes include:
- Joint and connective tissue repair
- Ligament and tendon repair
- Shoulder injury repair
- Muscle growth and recovery
- Wound healing and tissue regeneration
The Best Peptides for Healing Injuries, Joints, and Ligaments
Now that we understand how peptides can aid in injury recovery, here are my most recommended peptides for athletes to help alleviate pain and heal injuries to the joints and ligaments.
BPC-157
The peptide BPC-157, also known as Body Protecting Compound 157, consists of a chain of 15 amino acids and is mostly produced in human gastric juices.
It is commonly known as a “stable gastric pentadecapeptide” because of its ability to maintain structural, even within the acidic environment of human gastric juice.
Your body already produces BPC-157 in very small amounts, which signals certain body processes to occur while protecting the digestive system.
Researchers believe that if you get an extremely high concentration of BPC-157 into your system, the degree of regenerative effects experienced will be significant.
In the context of injury recovery, BPC-157 works by stimulating the formation of new blood vessels (i.e. angiogenesis).
This is an integral part of the wound healing process and is important in promoting healing and faster cell regeneration (along with organizing the blood vessel network around the site of injury).
Numerous studies show that BPC-157 may help accelerate the wound healing process through multiple mechanisms.
According to a study published in the Journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries, gastric pentadecapeptide BPC-157 improved healing in mice with severe partial skin thickness burns:
“In this study, controlled burning was used to create 20% body-covering burns on the backs of the mice.
BPC-157, silver sulfadiazine cream, or no medication was applied to the mice.
BPC-157 was given topically or systemically right after the burn, once per day for 24 hours prior to sacrifice.
On days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after the injury, the treated area was evaluated.
In later tests, deeper burns were generated and various topically applied doses of BPC 157 cream were tested.
Results showed that compared to untreated controls, the mice treated with BPC-157 cream had improved burn healing throughout the experiment, including reduced edema (swelling), decreased inflammatory cell numbers, increased capillaries, advanced formation of dermal reticulin and collagen fibers, and an increased number of preserved follicles.
Mice treated with BPC 157 cream exhibited a considerably higher re-epithelization ratio two weeks after the injury.
Tensiometry results indicated that charred skin had less water and had enhanced breaking strength and relative elongation.
In addition to reducing the quantity of inflammatory cells and water content in burned skin, systemically injected BPC 157 significantly raised the breaking strength and proportion elongation of burned skin during tensiometry.
Moreover, stomach lesions were consistently observed in all thermally wounded mice that were not given either local treatment but these injuries were attenuated only by BPC 157 treatments whether administered systemically or locally.”
BPC-157 has also been found to help accelerate soft tissue injuries, i.e. damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
These can be partial/complete tears that may require surgical repair.
Interestingly, preclinical studies show BPC-157 promotes the healing of tendon-to-bone damage, potentially accelerating the recovery process in musculoskeletal injuries.
One instance of this was in a study published in the Journal of Surgery Today, where rats with muscle crush injuries who were given BPC-157 experienced faster muscle healing and full-function restoration:
“In crushed rats (force delivered 0.727 Ns/cm2), BPC 157 was applied either intraperitoneally or locally, as a thin cream layer, immediately after injury (sacrifice at 2 h), and once a day for 14 days.
Results show that BPC 157 improved muscle healing, macroscopically (less hematoma and edema, no post-injury leg contracture), microscopically, functionally, and also based on enzyme activity (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase).
This just proves that BPC 157, at all investigated intervals, given locally or intraperitoneally, accelerated post-injury muscle healing and also helped to restore the full function.”
TB-500
Thymosin is a hormone secreted by the thymus gland.
The predominant form of thymosin, known as Thymosin beta 4 (TB4), is a multi-functional protein that helps muscles and cells move.
It also plays a crucial role in tissue regeneration and protection, further aiding in healing.
TB-500, the synthetic version of TB4, has healing properties that aid in repairing damaged tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Additionally, it promotes blood vessel, muscle cell, and skin cell regeneration and migration… all resulting in more rapid and effective wound repair alongside faster recovery from injury.
TB-500 even contributes to the intricate process of nerve regeneration and nerve function restoration.
It can reduce sensations like numbness or tingling associated with nerve injuries, ensuring your nerves function smoothly and efficiently.
Lastly, TB-500 also decreases the number of myofibroblasts in wounds, resulting in decreased scar formation.
As you can see, emerging evidence suggests TB-500 is involved in a wide range of cellular responses that help accelerate wound healing.
In fact, according to one human study of 75 subjects with venous ulcers in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, TB-500 promoted faster wound healing and allowed 25% of the patients to achieve full recovery:
“Venous ulcers are responsible for about 70% of the chronic ulcers of the lower limbs.
Standard of care includes compression, dressings, debridement of devitalized tissue, and infection control.
Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a synthetic copy of the naturally occurring 43 amino-acid peptide, has been found to have wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties, and is thought to exert its therapeutic effect through promotion of keratinocyte and endothelial cell migration, increased collagen deposition, and stimulation of angiogenesis.
To assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of topically administered Tβ4 in patients with venous stasis ulcers, a double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation study was conducted in eight European sites (five in Italy and three in Poland) that enrolled and randomized 73 patients.
The safety profile of all doses of administered Tβ4 was deemed acceptable and comparable to placebo.
Efficacy findings from this Phase 2 study suggest that a Tβ4 dose of 0.03% may have the potential to accelerate wound healing and that complete wound healing can be achieved within 3 months in about 25% of the patients, especially among those whose wounds are small to moderate in size or mild to moderate in severity.”
Another study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that TB4 administration increased the formation of granulation tissue, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, all of which helped accelerate wound healing in a rat full-thickness wound model:
“Angiogenesis is an essential step in the repair process that occurs after injury.
In this study, we investigated whether the angiogenic thymic peptide thymosin beta4 (Tbeta4) enhanced wound healing in a rat full thickness wound model.
Addition of Tbeta4 topically or intraperitoneally increased reepithelialization by 42% over saline controls at 4 d and by as much as 61% at 7 d post-wounding.
Treated wounds also contracted at least 11% more than controls by day 7.
Increased collagen deposition and angiogenesis were observed in the treated wounds.
We also found that Tbeta4 stimulated keratinocyte migration in the Boyden chamber assay.
After 4-5 h, migration was stimulated 2-3-fold over migration with medium alone when as little as 10 pg of Tbeta4 was added to the assay.
These results suggest that Tbeta4 is a potent wound healing factor with multiple activities that may be useful in the clinic.”
Clearly, TB-500 is a great peptide for athletes seeking faster recovery!
GHK-Cu
The GHK-Cu copper peptide was discovered in 1973 by renowned researcher Dr. Loren Pickart.
He discovered the tripeptide-copper complex when running an experiment on aged liver cells that began regenerating once exposed to blood from young patients.
Since then, researchers have found that GHK-Cu can influence over 4,000 genes.
It can also provide benefits related to wound healing, recovery, tissue generation, and skin health.
In fact, based on research in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research, GHK-Cu promoted faster wound healing and recovery in mice that underwent ACL reconstruction surgery:
“After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the biological healing of the graft is a rate-limiting step which can contribute to graft failure.
The tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(II) (GHK-Cu) is a well-known activator of tissue remodeling.
We investigated whether GHK-Cu can improve graft healing following ACLR. Seventy-two rats underwent unilateral ACLR were randomized to saline, 0.3 or 3 mg/ml GHK-Cu groups (n = 24).
Post-operational intra-articular injections were given from week 2, once a week, for 4 weeks.
Gait analysis was performed pre-injury and at harvesting time. At 6 or 12 weeks post-operation, knee specimens were harvested for knee laxity test, graft pull-out test, and histology.
At 6 weeks post-ACLR, GHK-Cu groups resulted in a smaller side-to-side difference in knee laxity as compared to the saline group (p = 0.009), but there was no significant difference at 12 weeks post-operation.
The graft complex in the 0.3 mg/ml GHK-Cu group had higher stiffness than saline group at 6 weeks post-operation (p = 0.026), but there was no significant difference in ultimate load, gait parameters, and histological scores among treatment groups.
All grafts failed mid-substance during pull-out test.
Intra-articular supplementation with a bioactive small molecule GHK-Cu improved graft healing following ACLR in rat, but the beneficial effects could not last as treatment discontinued.”
Other scientific evidence also supports the regenerative properties of this tripeptide.
A study in Veterinary Surgery showed that in rats with difficult-to-heal wounds, such as diabetic wounds, topical GHK-Cu treatment resulted in faster wound contraction and closure:
“Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: topical TCC, topical TCC vehicle (hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose), and no treatment (control).
Six-mm-diameter, full-thickness wounds were created within an ischemic bipedicle skin flap on the dorsum of each rat.
Each day, for 13 days, wound margins were traced, and the TCC and TCC vehicle groups were treated topically.
Tracings were scanned, and wound perimeter and area were calculated.
On days 6, 10, and 13, selected wounds were biopsied and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9.
A significant decrease in wound area was seen in the TCC group, but not the vehicle group, when compared with the control group on days 3 to 5, 6 to 9, and 11 to 13 and when TCC was compared with TCC vehicle on days 3 and 9.
On day 13, initial wound area had decreased by 64.5% in the TCC group, 45.6% in the vehicle group, and 28.2% in the control group.
On days 6, 10, and 13, TCC-treated wounds contained significantly lower concentrations of TNF-alpha and MMP-2 and MMP-9 than control wounds.
This just shows that Topical TCC is an effective stimulant of healing of ischemic open wounds in rats and may have an application for the treatment of chronic wounds in other species.”
Indeed, the GHK-Cu peptide is helpful for athletes who likewise want to heal wounds and recover faster from injuries.
Ipamorelin
Ipamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP) that mimics the body’s natural release of growth hormone and ghrelin (i.e. the hunger hormone).
Because this peptide does not affect the release of other hormones in the body such as acetylcholine, aldosterone, cortisol, and prolactin… it has virtually no negative side effects.
Therefore, it is considered one of the safest and most effective forms of growth hormone replacement therapy to help:
- Fight the effects of aging
- Manage certain diseases
- Enhance physical performance
- Address growth hormone deficiencies
For these reasons, medical professionals prescribe Ipamorelin more than other growth hormone peptide therapies.
Once Ipamorelin is injected, a selective pulse is sent to the pituitary gland, which in turn releases growth hormone within the body.
This causes newly synthesized cells to move toward the muscles to support growth and development while preventing any bone or cartilage deformities.
In addition, ipamorelin increases insulin levels and ghrelin levels.
All of these vital functions also work to promote fat loss and increase muscle mass/strength.
Finally, GHRPs such as Ipamorelin can also help repair damaged tissue caused by sports injuries or physical trauma.
According to the International Journal of Surgery, GHRPs can speed up the wound-healing process by increasing the production of collagen:
“Sixty male albino rats of Charles Foster strain (100–150 g) were used.
After intraperitoneal anesthesia, a cutaneous incised wound (4 cm) was created on the back of each rat, which was closed by silk stitches and allowed to heal by primary intention.
They were equally divided as test and control.
CM-10 was applied to the test wounds daily.
At the end of 7, 14 and 21 days of wounding, 10 rats from each group were sacrificed and their wounds were compared.
Outcome measures were: 1) breaking force of wounds, 2) histological assessment of healing and 3) evaluation of angiogenesis. Statistical significance was assessed by Student’s t-test, ANOVA and Bonferroni correction.
There was a significant increase in the breaking force (P < 0.001).
Histological examination showed early epithelization, increased collagen deposition and decreased inflammatory cellular infiltrate at 1st week in the test group.
The treated wounds also demonstrated earlier remodeling. Angiogenesis score was significantly higher in the test wounds at 1st week (40.6 vs. 30.8; P < 0.001), but not in the subsequent weeks.
Cytomodulin is a strong promoter of wound healing by primary intention.
It increases tensile strength and induces early epithelization.
It also promotes increased collagen deposition, early remodeling and increased angiogenesis.”
Stacking Ipamorelin with CJC-1295 powerfully stimulates the release of both growth hormone and IGF-1, further accelerating fat loss by compelling the body to burn stored fat for energy.
This peptide combination is also known to stimulate cellular repair, tissue regeneration, and collagen production.
Side Effects and Safety of Healing Peptide Therapy
Before you make a bulk purchase of the best healing peptides, you should be aware of their potential side effects.
Like many supplements, side effects can vary: Some users may experience them, while others may not be affected at all.
Here is a list of potential side effects of any healing peptide modality that people should be aware of:
- Indigestion
- Blood pressure or heart rhythm changes
- Hot flashes
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Increased appetite or hunger
- Redness or pain at the injection site
- Changes in taste
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Hives
- Hyperactivity
Abuse of peptides can lead to unwanted side effects, so it’s important only to take the right dosage for your needs and consult with your doctor or health provider before starting to ensure your safety.
How to Use Peptides to Improve Healing and Recovery
Peptide therapy, as amazing as it is, cannot work in isolation.
It is critical to complement the treatment with other natural recovery methods.
For instance, aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support tissue repair and overall recovery.
Additionally, fuel your body with a healthy insulin-controlled diet (now is NOT the time to be reducing your caloric intake), and stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
These health practices are a small sample of what can help you achieve a more holistic and effective approach to recovery.
Jay’s Closing Thoughts
Many of these peptides work best when all of them are used together in the context of healing injuries.
Not only do I have the Wolverine Stack prepared for superhuman-like healing in times of extreme injury, but I have proven its efficacy when Monica underwent breast augmentation surgery.
But I AM incredibly bullish right now on Regenovive, the quantum-healing peptide bioregulator cream that’s taking the Internet by storm.
While reviews are raving about how well it works on its own, and likely better than the infamous BPC-157 and TB-500 stack, I am eager to see what happens when it is used in combination with the Wolverine Stack.
Expect a deep-dive article on this product very soon!
The Potential of Peptides in Tissue and Tendon Repair
If you’re an athlete wanting to up your game and recover more quickly from intense training or injuries, peptide therapy might be just what you need.
It can help you reach your goals, stay in peak condition, and get an edge over your competition.
But first, you need to get your peptides from a reliable supplier, such as Limitless Biotech, to ensure the highest levels of safety while maximizing the health benefits offered by said peptides.
They have the best formulations of experimental compounds available, and no other vendor comes close to offering them at ultra-high levels of purity for reasonable prices.
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