GLOW/KLOW Ratios for Injury Recovery: Why They Don't Work

Pre-mixed GLOW and KLOW peptide blends are popular—but their ratios are optimized for skincare, not injury recovery. If you're trying to heal a tendon, ligament, or soft tissue injury with a standard GLOW/KLOW blend, you're using the wrong tool for the job.

This guide explains why those ratios fail for structural repair, and presents the correct protocol: BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu, and KPV—four peptides at injury-appropriate doses—plus NAD+ as the metabolic fuel that makes the whole system work.

The Problem with GLOW/KLOW Ratios

Standard GLOW and KLOW blends use a 50/10/10 ratio:

• GHK-Cu: 50 mg
• BPC-157: 10 mg
• TB-4: 10 mg

This ratio is designed for cosmetic applications—facial rejuvenation, skin quality, hair growth. GHK-Cu dominates because it drives collagen gene expression in skin.

For injury recovery, this ratio is backwards.

Result: People use GLOW/KLOW for injuries, get minimal structural repair, and conclude "peptides don't work." The peptides work—the ratios don't.

At a Glance: The Correct Protocol

The Four Core Peptides

Plus: NAD+ as Metabolic Fuel

NAD+ is not a peptide—it's a coenzyme that powers the metabolic machinery. Without adequate NAD+, repair cells have the instructions but lack the energy to execute them. It's the fuel that makes the four peptides work.

Cycle length: 8–12 weeks

Why GLOW/KLOW Fails for Injuries

The Ratio Problem

In a typical GLOW blend (50/10/10), if you inject 0.5 mL daily:

• You get ~2.5 mg GHK-Cu (reasonable for skin)
• You get ~0.5 mg BPC-157 (1/10th of injury dose)
• You get ~0.5 mg TB-4 (1/8th of injury dose)

The repair peptides are underdosed by 80–90%. You're getting a skincare treatment, not an injury protocol.

The Missing Pieces

GLOW/KLOW blends typically lack:

• KPV — Critical for controlling inflammation without suppressing repair
• NAD+ — Essential for cellular energy during high-demand tissue reconstruction

Without inflammation control, healing stalls in the inflammatory phase. Without energy, repair cells can't do their work.

When GLOW/KLOW IS Appropriate

The Four Core Peptides

Each peptide addresses a different bottleneck in injury recovery:

1. BPC-157: Vascular Architecture

BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid fragment naturally produced in gastric juice. It restores micro-circulation—the first requirement for any tissue repair.

Why GLOW/KLOW fails here: The 10 mg in a typical blend, split across multiple doses, provides a fraction of the 500–750 mcg daily needed for structural repair.

2. TB-500: Cellular Mobilization

TB-500 (thymosin β4 fragment 17–23) organizes actin filaments so repair cells can physically move into the injury site.

Why GLOW/KLOW fails here: The 10 mg TB-4 in a blend, used at skincare doses, provides nowhere near the 3–5 mg twice weekly needed for tissue reconstruction.

3. GHK-Cu: Collagen Quality

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide that activates 400+ repair genes and modulates collagen synthesis.

In injury protocols: GHK-Cu plays a supporting role—important for collagen quality, but not the primary driver of structural repair. The GLOW/KLOW ratio over-emphasizes it.

4. KPV: Inflammation Control

KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) works upstream of NSAIDs, preventing excessive inflammatory transcription while preserving normal immune signaling.

Why GLOW/KLOW fails here: KPV is typically absent from pre-mixed blends entirely.

NAD+: The Metabolic Fuel

NAD+ is not a peptide—it's a coenzyme that carries electrons in the metabolic pathways that generate ATP. Without it, cells can't convert nutrients into energy.

Why Injured Tissue Needs Extra NAD+

During repair, cells are working overtime:

• Fibroblasts synthesizing collagen
• Endothelial cells building new vessels
• Immune cells clearing debris

This increased metabolic demand burns through NAD+ faster than normal. When NAD+ runs low:

• β-oxidation stalls
• ATP production collapses
• Repair cells "brown out"
• Healing plateaus

What NAD+ Does

NAD+ Is Different

Unlike the four peptides, NAD+:

• Is a naturally occurring coenzyme, not a synthesized peptide
• Works through metabolic pathways, not receptor signaling
• Requires separate injection (acidic; don't mix with peptides)
• Supports the repair process rather than directing it

Think of it this way: The peptides are the instructions. NAD+ is the electricity that powers the machines reading those instructions.

The Synergy Effect

Running all five compounds creates conditions where repair can proceed on multiple fronts simultaneously:

This is why using GLOW/KLOW for injuries fails—even if you use more of it. The ratios prevent these synergies from developing properly.

Dosing Protocol

The Four Peptides

NAD+ (Separate)

Weight-Based Guidance

• BPC-157: ~6–8 mcg/kg daily
• TB-500: ~0.04–0.06 mg/kg per dose
• GHK-Cu: ~0.02–0.04 mg/kg
• KPV: ~7–12 mcg/kg daily
• NAD+: ~2–3 mg/kg per injection

Weekly Schedule (Example)

Note: NAD+ must be injected separately—it's acidic and can destabilize other peptides.

Timeline: What to Expect

Days 3–7

Weeks 1–2

Weeks 2–4

Weeks 4–8

Weeks 8–12

Supporting Factors

When Progress Stalls

Managing Side Effects

Contraindications

Do not use if:

• Active malignancy or proliferative retinopathy (BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu promote angiogenesis)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Wilson's disease or uncontrolled copper overload (GHK-Cu)

Use with medical supervision if:

• Uncontrolled diabetes or severe cardiovascular disease
• Active autoimmune flare
• Therapeutic anticoagulation
• Recent corticosteroid injections

Sports compliance: TB-500 is prohibited by WADA/USADA.

What Comes Next

After 8–12 weeks, three paths:

Complete: If markers are met (pain ≤2/10, ROM ≥80%, no swelling after activity), taper off. Consider periodic maintenance cycles for chronic injury sites.

Extend: If progress is good but incomplete, continue for another 4–6 weeks.

Add modules: If specific bottlenecks persist:

• Sleep/recovery timing issues → Tesamorelin ± Ipamorelin
• Neuropathic symptoms → ARA-290
• Relapse under load → SS-31

FAQ

Why don't GLOW/KLOW ratios work for injuries?

GLOW/KLOW blends use a 50/10/10 ratio (GHK-Cu 50mg, BPC-157 10mg, TB-4 10mg) optimized for skincare. At typical injection volumes, you get ~10% of the BPC-157 and TB-500 doses needed for structural repair. The repair peptides are critically underdosed.

Can I just use more GLOW/KLOW?

The ratio is still wrong. Even at higher volumes, you'd overdose GHK-Cu while still underdosing the repair peptides. And you'd still lack KPV and NAD+. The solution is using correctly-dosed individual compounds, not more of a mis-formulated blend.

Why is NAD+ listed separately from the four peptides?

NAD+ is a coenzyme, not a peptide. It works through metabolic pathways rather than receptor signaling. It provides the cellular energy that repair cells need to execute the instructions the peptides provide. It also requires separate injection because it's acidic.

Do I need all five compounds?

For comprehensive injury recovery, yes. Each addresses a different bottleneck. Running fewer often produces partial results. That said, simpler injuries may respond to just BPC-157 + TB-500—add the others if progress stalls.

What does this protocol feel like when working?

Week 1–2: Warmth returning, reduced sharp pain, less morning stiffness, energy stabilizing.

Week 3–4: Tissue feels springy rather than stiff, improved pliability, better load tolerance.

Week 6–8: Full ROM without swelling, stable sleep, tissue behaves like original.

How long should I run this protocol?

Typical duration is 8–12 weeks. Most people see significant improvement by week 6–8. Reassess at week 8 based on progress markers.

Can I combine this with physical therapy?

Absolutely—and you should. These compounds create the metabolic environment for repair; PT provides the mechanical signals for organized collagen. They're complementary.

What if I still have issues after 8–12 weeks?

Assess which bottleneck persists:

• Sleep/recovery timing: Add Tesamorelin
• Neural symptoms: Add ARA-290
• Relapse under load: Add SS-31
• Structural issues persist: Extend protocol; consider imaging

Is this protocol safe long-term?

Human long-term safety data is limited. Most practitioners use 8–12 week cycles with breaks. The primary theoretical concern is angiogenesis in harmful contexts (occult malignancy).

What's the difference between this and the simpler BPC-157 + TB-500 stack?

The BPC-157 + TB-500 protocol addresses vascular access and cellular mobility. This protocol adds collagen quality (GHK-Cu), inflammation control (KPV), and cellular energy (NAD+). Use the simpler stack for straightforward injuries; upgrade for complex cases.

Is the "TB-500" I bought actually TB-500?

Probably not. Most vendors selling "TB-500" are actually selling full TB-4 (thymosin β4).

TB-500 is supposed to be a 7-amino-acid fragment (~800 Da). TB-4 is the full 43-amino-acid protein (~4,900 Da). The fragment is harder to synthesize, so most commercial "TB-500" is actually TB-4 mislabeled.

How to check: Look at the Certificate of Analysis (COA):

• Molecular weight ~800 Da = actual TB-500 fragment
• Molecular weight ~4,900 Da = full TB-4 (regardless of label)
• Mass spec showing ~4,900 m/z = TB-4

Both have tissue repair activity—TB-4 is the parent molecule containing the active region. The dosing in this guide works for either, but you should know what you're actually using.

Related Guides

• BPC-157 + TB-500 Protocol — Simpler foundational option
• Tesamorelin for Injury Recovery — GH timing and sleep-timed repair
• ARA-290 for Nerve Pain — Small-fiber nerve support
• SS-31 Add-On — Mitochondrial stability
• NAD+ Guide — Cellular energy deep-dive
• GLOW & KLOW Skincare Protocol — When GLOW/KLOW IS appropriate

References

• BPC-157 review: PMC8275860
• TB-500 dermal repair: PubMed 12581423
• TB-500 fragment context: PMC7822313
• NAD+ metabolism: PMC7963035
• GHK-Cu review: PubMed 29986520
• KPV NF-κB: PubMed 18061177

This content is for educational purposes only. These compounds are not FDA-approved for injury treatment. Peptide therapy requires medical supervision. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any protocol.