The Best Oral Peptide Guide for Lyme, Tick-borne Infections, & Mold Toxicity

Peptides to The Rescue

In this guide, Marty Ross, MD describes key oral peptides and provides plans to address problems seen in Lyme disease, tick-borne infections and mold toxicity. You will learn how to use peptide supplements for the following issues.

• Neuropathies and Joint Injuries
• Brain Trauma or Thinking Issues
• Immune Dysfunction with Poor Germ Fighting, Chronic Inflammation, or Autoimmune Illness
• Muscle, Tendon, or Ligament Injury and Pains
• Thyroid Dysfunction
• Intestinal Dysfunction
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
• Skin and Collagen Support
• Weight Regulation.

Oral Peptides

Peptides are short strands of amino acids. By comparison, long strands of amino acids of 40 or more are called proteins. Peptides occur naturally in our bodies. Some of these peptides have healing or support properties.

There are three general classes of peptides based on their method of action. These three classes are

• messenger peptides,
• bioregulator peptides, and
• building block peptides.

Messenger peptides bind to cell receptors or receptors inside of cells trigger a number of other chemical reactions.

Bioregulators are generally 2 to 3 amino acid peptides that enter the nucleus center of the cell where they regulate how genes are expressed. Another way of saying this, is that bioregulators modulate and control epigenetic expression of their targeted DNA.

Building block peptides are used to build tissues. For instance, collagen peptides build connective tissues found in skin, muscles, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments.

Messenger Peptides

BPC-157

Think of BPC-157 as the Swiss army knife of peptides. BPC-157 is a messenger peptide that may:

• promote healthy intestinal function,
• improve leaky gut,
• modulate healthy Th1 and Th2 immune function,
• aid in tissue repair of joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves,
• promote healthy mitochondria (cell energy factory) function,
• balance mast cell activation, and
• have antimicrobial effects.

Cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin is a messenger peptide that may:

• promote neurogeneration and repair of injured nerves in the brain leading to better brain function including thinking,
• repair brain injury due to stroke, infection, toxins, or trauma, and
• provide neuroprotection to protect the brain from injury from trauma, toxins, or infections.

Thymosin Beta 4 Active Fragment

Thymosin Beta 4 is a messenger peptide that may:

• balance cytokine inflammation,
• aid in tissue repair,
• support healthy mitochondria (cell energy factory) function,
• inhibit mast cell activation, and
• have antimicrobial effects.

KPV

KPV is a messenger peptide that may:

• balance cytokine inflammation,
• stabilize mast cells, and
• have antimicrobial effects.

Thymosin Alpha 1

Thymosin Alpha 1 is a messenger peptide that may:

• modulate the immune system to promote health levels of various immune cells,
• promote healthy Th1 cellular immunity to fight bacteria and viruses, and
• regulate inflammation, and
• Increase T regulator (Treg) cells that create balance between Th1, Th2, and Th17 parts of the immune system.

This peptide is administered by injection. Unfortunately the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is no longer allowing compounding pharmacies to manufacture this peptide. It is not available in the United States for doctors to prescribe or administer in their offices. Oral peptide alternatives include peptide bioregulator blends like the Thymus Gland Bioregulators I describe below.

DNF-10 Protein Hydrolysate

The key ingredient can decrease stomach production of the appetite peptide called ghrelin. Decreased ghrelin may:

• promote weight loss,
• suppress appetite, and
• decrease gastric emptying causing a sense of fullness.

Bioregulator Peptides 

Thyroid Bioregulators

Here are three thyroid bioregulator peptides and their key functions.

• Alpha-24C - Enhances thyroid health and supports hormone regulation.
• AWG2 - Promotes proper thyroid gland activity at a cellular level.
• C44 - Contributes to balanced and improved thyroid functions.

Collectively these three bioregulators may improve low or high thyroid by improving genetic expression. These thyroid bioregulators are found in thyroid glandular extracts that are cleaned up to be free of T4 and T3 thyroid hormones.

Brain Bioregulators

Here are three bioregulator ingredients and their key brain functions:

• Cerebral Neuropeptide Bioregulator C14 - Supports brain communication.
• Neurovascular Bioregulator 33B - Enhances vascular and circulatory health.
• Subcortical Bioregulator AM49 - Maintains balanced subcortical brain function.

Collectively these bioregulators may may provide a range of cognitive and brain health benefits, such as:

• Memory Support - Strengthen cognitive recall and retention.
• Improved Focus  - Achieve mental clarity and maintain concentration.
• Enhanced Neurovascular Health - Promote balanced brain activity and circulation for optimal neural communication.

Pineal Gland Bioregulators

The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the brain. It is best known for making melatonin as part of the circadian rhythm. Here are bioregulator peptides and their key pineal gland functions:

• Pineal Bioregulator EE2 - Restores pineal gland health for improved neural communication, circadian balance, and sleep.
• Neurovascular Bioregulator 33B - Enhances vascular integrity to promote optimal blood flow and cognitive vitality.
• Thymic Bioregulator A2 - Encourages immune balance while strengthening the connection between the brain and body.

Thymus Gland Bioregulators

The thymus gland balances and harmonizes the Th1, Th2,  Th17, and Treg parts of the immune system. Th1 is composed of white blood cells that fight infections. Th2 is composed of cells that make antibodies and produce histamines. And Th17 is composed of immune cells that block infections under our skin and mucous membranes. Treg cells direct correct balances of Th1, Th2, and Th17. Low Tregs can lead to imbalances in Th1, Th2, and Th17. These imbalances can hurt germ fighting, lead to escessive inflammation, or even cause autoimmune illnesses.

There are two thymus gland bioregulator ingredients that harmonize the thymus gland. These bioregulators are

• Thymogen and
• Immune Peptide A2.

Collectively the functions of these two bioregulator peptides mimics the effect of the Thymosin Alpha 1 messenger peptide I discussed above. They work to harmonize germ fighting capabilities of the immune system and inflammation.

Building Block Peptides

Collagen Peptides

Collagen is the scaffolding of our skin and connective tissue. Collagen peptides may build collagen that

• enhances the health of skin, hair, nails, cartilage, joints, tendons and ligaments,
• promotes elasticity of the skin and joint connective tissues,
• reduces fine lines and wrinkles of the skin, and
• helps maintain the appearance of youthful skin.

How to Use Oral Peptides in Lyme & Mold Toxicity

Any Peptide Responding Condition — Start with BPC-157

A good place to start a peptide support program is with BPC-157.

• BPC-157 Delayed Release 500 mcg 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. For BPC-157 I prefer products containing this ingredient made by Integrative Peptides.* 

Peptide Responding Conditions

In my experience the following conditions respond well to BPC-157. That is why it is called the swiss army knife of peptides.

• Musculoskeletal pains from muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage erosion with bone inflammation (osteoarthritis)
• Neuropathies
• Intestinal dysfunction
• Immune system dysfunction including chronic inflammation
• Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
• Thinking dysfunction from trauma or infections
• Mitochondria dysfunction and low energy

I find BPC-157 supports repair of tissues that are hurt by the inflammation of Lyme and mold toxicity illness. This is helping with joint area pains, nerve pain and numbness, and even brain function. In addition to repairing tissue, BPC-157 improves germ fighting as it balances healthy immune function between the germ-fighting Th1 cells and the autoimmune and allergy Th2 cells. Because BPC-157 supports mitochondrial function, this can help with energy. For those with mast cell activation, it may provide benefits, too. BPC-157 is also useful in repairing leaky gut syndrome and intestinal dysfunction.

Neuropathies and Joint Injuries

BPC-157 can repair injured nerves and joint tissues. I have seen good success in my practice using

• BPC-157 500 mcg 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. Note: for acute injuries, an immediate release formulation may work better than a delayed release formulation of BPC-157. For chronic conditions, I suggest the delayed release formulation. I prefer BPC-157 Pure delayed capsules by Integrative Peptides.*

For neuropathies, in addition to using BPC-157, I also suggest liposomal glutathione and phospholipid mitochondria membrane and nerve cell membrane supports. For more details about glutathione and phospholipid support see Peripheral Neuropathy Evaluation & Repair in Lyme Disease.

For joint pains due to wearing down of cartilage (osteoarthritis), in addition to using BPC-157 I also suggest glucosamine sulfate 500 mg 3 times a day with or without chondroitin sulfate or MSM. Collagen peptides may help too.

• Collagen Peptide Powder 1 scoop 1 time a day. My preferred Collagen peptides product is Collagen Plus by Thorne Research.*

Brain Trauma or Thinking Issues

The foundation of any brain trauma or thinking issue peptide support program is BPC-157 delayed release. After 1-2 months if needed consider adding Cerbrolysin or the Brain Bioregulators.

Cerbrolysin is neuroprotective and neurodegenerative for brain injury. In a sense, it is involved with protecting and rebuilding the nerve architecture. By comparison, Brain Bioregulators help brain function. They help the existing nerves to work optimally. For brain trauma due to force (car accidents or concussions), toxicity (mold toxicity), and infections a good starting place to improve brain function is to improve the architecture by working with Cerbrolysin. After a couple of months using this, if needed to improve brain function and thinking, add Brain Bioregulators.

• BPC-157 500 mcg delayed release 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. I prefer BPC-157 Pure delayed capsules by Integrative Peptides.*
• Cerbrolysin 1 or 2 pills 1 time a day. Cerbrolysin is a component of CerbroPep by Integrative Peptides.*
• Brain Bioregulators 1 or 2 pills 1 time a day. My preferred brain bioregulator peptides product is CogniPep by Integrative Peptides.*

Immune Dysfunction with Poor Germ Fighting, Chronic Inflammation, or Autoimmune Illness

When there is an imbalance of Th1, Th2, and Th17 parts of the immune system, this leads to poor germ fighting, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammation. Increasing the amounts of Treg cells can help create balance between Th1, Th2, and Th17. For more information see Boost Tregs to Balance Th1, Th2, & Th17 Chronic Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease.

Start with BPC-157 for one to two months. If this is not helpful, then add Thymosin Alpha 1 injections (for people living outside the US) or start Thymus Gland Bioregulators. Consider adding Thymosin Beta 4 Active Fragment (TB4-Frag) if BPC-157 and Thymus Bioregulators are not effective enough.

• BPC-157 500 mcg delayed release 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. I prefer BPC-157 Pure delayed capsules by Integrative Peptides.*
• Thymus Gland Bioregulators 1 pill 2 times a day. A source of thymus gland bioregulators is Thymogen Alpha-1 by Integrative Peptides.*
• TB4-Frag 1 pill 2 times a day. TB4-Frag is found in various products offered by Integrative Peptides.*

Muscle, Tendon, or Ligament Injury and Pains

Athletes have used BPC-157 successfully for injuries. Tick-borne infections lead to inflammation of muscles, tendons, and ligaments too. BPC-157 is helpful in these conditions too, based on my experience.

• BPC-157 500 mcg 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. Note: for acute injuries, an immediate release formulation may work better than a delayed release formulation of BPC-157. For chronic conditions, I suggest the delayed release formulation.*

Thyroid Dysfunction

For hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism Thyroid Bioregulators may help. As I noted above, these bioregulators work at the level of gene expression to make sure the right signals are sent to the thyroid gland to have it produce hormones at the right level. In addition, if you have an autoimmune thyroid disorder, immune support with Thymus Gland Bioregulators could help too.

• Thyroid Bioregulators 1 or 2 pills 1 time a day. A source of thyroid bioregulators is ThyroPep by Integrative Peptides.*
• Thymus Gland Bioregulators 1 pill 2 times a day. A source of thymus gland bioregulators is Thymogen Alpha-1 by Integrative Peptides.

For additional strategies to manage thyroid dysfunction that can be taken in addition to these peptides see It's Tricky—How to Diagnose & Treat Low Thyroid.*

Poor Sleep or Sleep-Wake Cycle Disturbances

The pineal gland produces melatonin. The pineal gland regulates our circadian rhythms including sleep-wake cycles. For sleep support or to improve sleep-wake cycles, Pineal Gland Bioregulators may help.

• Pineal Gland Bioregulators 1 or 2 pills 1 time a day (can be taken any time of day). My preferred source of pineal gland bioregulators is PinealPep by Integrative Peptides.*

For additional strategies to manage sleep that can be taken in addition to peptides see the Sleep Chapter. 

Intestinal Dysfunction

BPC-157 is made in the stomach lining to help intestinal function. So it is a building block for intestinal dysfunctions like leaky gut, and inflammatory intestinal conditions.

Additionally, in intestinal dysfunction conditions like intestinal yeast overgrowth and even small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) there is mast cell activation leading to excessive histamine. To aid in intestinal health, BPC-157 may help repair injured tissue, modulate inflammation while KPV may stabilize histamine excess and inflammation. Both KPV and BPC-157 stabilize mast cells, but KPV is much stronger at doing this.

• BPC-157 500 mcg delayed release 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. I prefer BPC-157 Pure capsules by Integrative Peptides.*
• KPV 500 mcg 2 times a day as a spray or capsules. I prefer KPV capsules or spray by Integrative Peptides.*
• BPC-157, KPV, Immune Peptide A2, Probiotic and Prebiotic Combination 1 scoop of powder 1 time a day. The different Gut Feeling products by Integrative Peptides include this combination.* Note: if you take this combination, you do not need to take the separate BPC-157 and KPV.

For more information on strategies to help intestinal health that you can do in addition to taking peptides see Your Guide to a Healthy Intestinal Microbiome—Even on Antibiotics.

Mast Cell Activation Syndrome

BPC-157 and KPV can stabilize mast cells in Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). KPV is much stronger at doing this than BPC-157. For MCAS, start with KPV and in 1 to 2 months, if it is not effective enough, add BPC-157 delayed release.

• KPV 500 mcg 2 times a day as a spray or capsules. I prefer KPV capsules or spray by Integrative Peptides.*
• BPC-157 500 mcg delayed release 1 pill 2 times a day. Over a month, a person can increase this up to 3 pills 2 times a day if needed, but usually 1 pill 2 times a day is enough. I prefer BPC-157 Pure delayed capsules by Integrative Peptides.*

For additional ways to manage MCAS that can be done at the same time you use peptide see Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in Infections & Mold Toxicity.

Skin and Collagen Support

If a person needs skin support, has loose joints, or has injury to connective tissue in ligaments and tendons around joints, consider adding Collagen Peptides.

• Collagen Peptide Powder 1 scoop 1 time a day. My preferred Collagen peptides product is Collagen Plus by Thorne Research.*

Weight Regulation

• DNF-10 Protein Hydrolysate 500 mg 1 pill 2 times a day. My recommended source of this peptide is Can’t Weight by Integrative Peptides.*

Warning about Herxheimer Reaction & Peptides

BPC-157, KPV, and TB4-Frag have weak germ killing properties. This means some people may experience Herxheimer reactions as they start these peptides. If you are a person that has strong Herxheimer reactions consider starting any of these peptides at 1 pill a day. You should also take steps to control your inflammation cytokines. See Control Cytokines—A Guide to Fix Immune Function and Symptoms in Persistent Infections and Mold Toxicity.

Treatment Length

To see if a peptide regimen will help, give it at least two to three months. And if a regimen is working, stay on it for a minimum of six months. While your body is under assault for tick-borne infections or toxicity, you may need to stay on a working peptide regimen until you reach optimal health.

Disclaimer

The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.