Peptide Therapy

Everything You Need To Know About Peptide Therapy

What if a natural treatment could help you reach body goals, improve your sex life, get rid of wrinkled skin, and vanish your signs of aging? Yes! That’s entirely possible with peptide therapy. There are more than 7000 peptides from different sources, each of which is responsible for different actions and responses in the body1.
Peptide therapy refers to restoring the number of peptides inside the body to stimulate cellular
regrowth to manage weight loss, decrease inflammation, promote hair growth, assist in anti-
aging, and aid in other healing processes in the body.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids (compromising 2-50 amino acids), just like proteins2.
Some people may confuse peptides with proteins. Peptides and proteins are made up of amino
acids, but peptides contain a smaller number of amino acids than proteins.

What is Peptide Therapy?

Although our body can produce peptides, the number and quality of peptide production decrease
with age so an individual may face a decline in essential peptides.
Peptide therapy provides synthetic peptides to the body, which mimic the peptides in the body
and play a role in multiple essential body functions. Peptides promote anti-aging benefits and
restore energy levels and overall health.
Peptides are smaller, making them easier to penetrate the skin or go into circulation after
administration than proteins. Many cosmetic and healthcare products contain peptides that are
beneficial for the body.

Source of Peptides:

Peptides are naturally produced in the body; however, their production decreases with age.
Peptides come from animal or plant origin; this include3:

• Eggs
• Meat
• Milk
• Fish/shellfish
• oats
• flaxseed
• wheat
• beans and lentils
• soy
• hemp seeds

Who can benefit from peptide therapy?

Some people consider peptide therapy only for old age people or patients. But men and women
of any age, especially athletes, can benefit from peptide therapy. Patients of all ages, including
the middle-aged, can consider peptide therapy for energy boost and maintenance of optimal
functions.
Peptide therapy is recommended when the average amino acid production in the body diminishes
below a certain level after the 20s or 30s. If you experience the following symptoms, you might
need peptide therapy4.

• Persistent fatigue
• Obesity or high-fat levels around the waist
• Decreased libido and sexual functions
• Depression and anxiety
• Lack of lean body mass
• Sensitivity to heat and cold
• Diminished stamina
• Reduced bone density and strength

Benefits of Peptide Therapy:

Peptide therapy is linked with the following benefits.

1-Slows-down Aging process:

Collagen is a protein in the skin, nails, and hair of the human body. With age, collagen levels
deplete, which may affect the skin and hair. Collagen peptides are broken down by the body and
absorbed readily. A study proves that collagen supplements increase skin elasticity and hydration
and reduce wrinkles5.
Peptides are also involved in melanin production, which has a role in skin maintenance. Melanin
helps protect skin from sunburn and protects skin from dryness6.

2-Wound Healing:

Peptides, primarily collagen, are vital in wound healing through collagen network formation at
the wound site. Lack of collagen leads to delayed closure and healing of the wound. Modern
bioactive peptides have excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, which protect
the wound from bacterial invasion7. Peptides protect from wound healing and play an essential
role in preventing skin diseases like psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea8.

3-Weight Loss:

Obesity is the root cause of several metabolic syndromes and chronic illnesses. Research shows
that peptide therapy helps promote weight loss through energy homeostasis. Peptides also control
glucose levels in the circulation, preventing the onset of diabetes. Last, it also suppresses
appetite, which helps control food and over-eating.

4-Boosts Immunity:

Lack of anti-oxidative agents in the body may lead to a compromised immune system. Different
micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and certain parasites, cause disease through
oxidative tissue damage. Worry not! Peptide therapy boosts anti-oxidative agents, which prevent
oxidative reactions in the body and boosts the protective mechanism of the body.

5-Maintains and Controls Muscle Mass

Creatine and Collagen peptides have a tremendous role in maintaining and building muscle mass
in athletes. Fitness athletes are fond of creatine powder peptides supplements which have an
excellent role in muscle repair and growth. These peptides are very gentle on the stomach, which
means they are easily absorbed in the body with minimum digestive disturbance.

6-Maintains Bone Health:

Studies confirm peptides have a role in bone health maintenance in athletes and people who are
used to running exercises. Collagen and other peptides help prevent age-related bone loss9.

Bio-active Peptides

Scientists are now more interested in a new class of bioactive peptides readily available to the
body with dozens of positive impacts on human health.
Bioactive peptides provide the following benefits:

• It helps kill microbes and enhances the body’s ability to combat diseases
• Lowers blood pressure
• Boosts immune system
• Prevents blood clot formation
• It acts as an antioxidant.
• Helps reduce inflammation

Commonly Used Peptides:

A wide variety of peptides are available; the type and severity of the condition determine what
peptides should be chosen. The following peptides are commonly used:
Collagen and Elastin- Encourages new skin cells and reduces the symptoms of aging.
Glutathione- Helps regulate the immune system through its anti-oxidative properties.
Selank- It has anti-anxiety properties through nervous system development. It also improves
cognition and memory.
Semax- is known for improving mental health, blood circulation, and detoxification.
Semaglutide- regulates glucose and insulin secretion.
BPC 157- plays a role in wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Thymosin Beta-4- a potent peptide having healing and regeneration properties throughout the
body.
Oxytocin- it has a role in managing social behaviors and sexual functions.

Is Peptide Therapy Safe?

Peptides are necessary for all the essential functions in the body. All synthetic peptides are safe
because they are alike in structure and mimic the function of naturally occurring peptides in the
body.
Some feedbacks suggest topical creams and ointments may cause skin rashes and itching. The
Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority does not regulate supplements like
medications, so one should be cautious while buying supplements. Always buy supplements
from a reputable source.

References:

1. Sable R, Parajuli P, Jois S. Peptides, Peptidomimetics, and Polypeptides from Marine
   Sources: A Wealth of Natural Sources for Pharmaceutical Applications. Mar Drugs.
   2017;15(4). doi:10.3390/MD15040124
2. Forbes J, Krishnamurthy K. Biochemistry, Peptide. StatPearls. Published online August
   29, 2022. Accessed February 25, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov-books/NBK562260/
3. Cabral H. Peptides: Molecular and Biotechnological Aspects. Biomolecules. 2021;11(1):1-
   3. doi:10.3390/BIOM11010052
4. McGonigle P. Peptide therapeutics for CNS indications. Biochem Pharmacol.
   2012;83(5):559-566. doi:10.1016/J.BCP.2011.10.014
5. Proksch E, Schunck M, Zague V, Segger D, Degwert J, Oesser S. Oral intake of specific
   bioactive collagen peptides reduces skin wrinkles and increases dermal matrix synthesis.
   Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2014;27(3):113-119. doi:10.1159/000355523
6. Peptides and Skin Health | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University. Accessed
   February 25, 2023. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/peptides
7. The power of peptides. Accessed February 25, 2023. https://www.aocs.org/stay-
   informed/inform-magazine/featured-articles/the-power-of-peptides-november/december-
   2015?SSO=True
8. Chakrabarti S, Jahandideh F, Wu J. Food-derived bioactive peptides on inflammation and
   oxidative stress. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014. doi:10.1155/2014/608979
9. Takeda S, Park JH, Kawashima E, Ezawa I, Omi N. Hydrolyzed collagen intake increases
   the bone mass of growing rats trained with running exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr.
   2013;10(1):1-9. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-35/TABLES/4