The more we learn about aging and tissue repairs at a cellular level, the more we understand the roles of peptides in longevity and wellness. Promising research into the copper peptide, GHK-Cu, has scientists considering whether it’s capable of reversing gene expression, effectively bringing cells back to a healthier state.

GHK-Cu naturally occurs in the body as a copper peptide complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It’s found in saliva, urine, and blood plasma, and is known to decline with age. Typical values of GHK-Cu for someone 20 years old average around 200 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). For someone at age 60, values drop to around 80 ng/mL.

Due to its multifaceted therapeutic properties, GHK-Cu has captured the attention of the scientific community. Since the 1970s, studies have been conducted to understand the ways in which GHK-Cu can:

• Boost wound healing
• Modulate immune function
• Stimulate skin health
• Enhance collagen synthesis
• Grow blood vessels
• Show antioxidant properties by suppressing damage from free radicals and oxidative stress

During these studies, we’ve learned GHK-Cu promotes new blood vessel growth and collagen production. Evidence shows angiogenesis—the growth of new blood vessels—is vital for tissue repair and anti-aging applications as well as supporting wound healing and nerve outgrowth. New collagen production stimulates fibroblast activity that leads to tissue regeneration and repair.

Collagen fiber production also links anti-aging properties to GHK-Cu. Collagen fibers are the skin’s protein structures responsible for its firm youthfulness. As time and age take their toll, collagen repairs and regenerates slower. GHK-Cu increases collagen strands, helping to tighten loose skin, improving elasticity and firmness. Many anti-aging treatments boost collagen production with the aim of reducing fine lines and wrinkles. This, in concert with its healing properties, blood vessel synthesis, and antioxidant capabilities, make the GHK-Cu peptide a powerful asset in the longevity market for reversing the signs of aging.

With its naturally occurring biological functions, GHK-Cu’s mechanism of action involves several key processes.

1. Collagen Synthesis: GHK-Cu boosts collagen fibers through increased mRNA and protein synthesis in dermal fibroblasts to improve skin elasticity and wound healing.
2. Antioxidant Properties: It improves antioxidant defense through increased activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, which neutralize free radicals.
3. Inflammation Reduction: GHK-Cu reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulates the body’s immune response for an improved anti-inflammatory response.
4. Angiogenesis: The growth of new blood vessels is vital for the healing of wounds and tissue regeneration and repair.
5. Gene Regulation: This peptide modulates the expression of a number of genes, quite often reversing that expression to a healthier state. An example is the upregulation of the ATM gene, which is part of cell cycle regulation and DNA repair.
6. Tissue Remodeling: GHK-Cu stimulates metalloproteases and protease inhibitors, which aid in the removal of damaged proteins and promotion of healthy tissue formation.

GHK-Cu’s diverse mechanisms have a range of biological contributions with exciting applications still being explored through medical research. The peptide’s potential for skin rejuvenation and anti-aging products has been extensively researched and shows promising results.

While the GHK-Cu copper peptide is still being studied for its potential health benefits beyond longevity, our most extensive knowledge of it centers around the following advantages:

• Anti-Aging and Skin Rejuvenation – GHK-Cu goes deeper than the skin’s appearance. It improves skin’s health from the inside out, promoting collagen and elastin production for firmer, healthier, more elastic skin. This is scientifically shown to reduce lines and wrinkles, reverse sagging, and minimize hyperpigmentation for a healthier, more radiant complexion.
• Supports Hair Growth – Studies suggest GHK-Cu supports hair growth and follicle stimulation through the prolonging of the anagen phase, the phase in which hair actively grows. This has potential benefits for medical patients experiencing thinning hair or certain kinds of alopecia.
• Wound Healing and Tissue Repair – Research studies are being conducted to explore GHK-Cu’s ability to accelerate healing and tissue repair and regeneration. A study has demonstrated increased wound healing rates in patients undergoing CO2 laser resurfacing treatments as well as those being treated for diabetic ulcers. Another study discovered improved tissue regeneration in skin, hair follicles, intestinal linings, stomach, and bone tissues.
• Inflammation Reduction – GHK-Cu possesses anti-inflammatory responses through the modulation of cytokines and chemokines. Through this mechanism, the peptide can calm high levels of inflammation, enhance tissue repair, and minimize inflammation’s effect on aging and longevity.
• Cell Protective and Antioxidant Properties – GHK-Cu demonstrates antioxidant properties that participate in the neutralization of free radicals and protection of cells from oxidative stress damage. Through this process, GHK-Cu supports healthy skin and fights the signs of aging at a cellular level.

Because this GHK-Cu naturally occurs in the human body, nearly everyone is a candidate for copper peptide supplements.

The risk of an allergic reaction to this medication is very low, and most people will find any side effects are related to the injection site discomfort rather than the supplement itself.

It is, however, still advisable to take GHK-Cu under the supervision of a healthcare professional to ensure this regimen is the right course of treatment for you.

A successful timeline for results with GHK-Cu peptide supplements will vary, depending on what condition is being treated.

For those using GHK-Cu supplements to improve wound healing and the appearance of scars, the effects can be quite rapid, with studies showing a decrease in wound size after 13 days.

According to one study, the consistent application of cosmetic GHK-Cu cream, skin’s appearance visibly improved after a few weeks. Aging skin’s appearance was visibly improved, with the cream strongly stimulating dermal keratinocyte proliferation for thicker, firmer skin.

Another study found that GHK-Cu rapidly exhibits antioxidant effects. In cells treated with GHK-Cu peptides, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels were decreased by almost 60% within a short period.

For those interested in GHK-Cu’s hair growth properties, new follicle growth was observed in this study for wound healing by day 15 with GHK-Cu peptide treatment.

While many benefits of GHK-Cu, particularly on the healing and tissue repair spectrum, may be observed relatively fast, it’s important to understand that some of this peptide’s best results may become more apparent following weeks or months of consistent application. This may be particularly true of benefits related to skin health and anti-aging.

Whether it’s glowing, rejuvenated skin, better healing for scar tissue, or thick, lustrous hair you desire most, the benefits of GHK-Cu peptides may bring consistent, measurable improvement. With scientific research indicating GHK-Cu’s gene expression may turn back the clock to a healthier cellular state, it’s an exciting time to add GHK-Cu to your longevity care.

For more information or to get started, visit EllieMD’s GHK-Cu product page!