17 Mar What Is Peptide Therapy And When Is It Used?

Peptide therapy has been gaining traction in recent years for a variety of health benefits. But what is peptide therapy? Is it the right solution for your health and wellness concerns? Read on to learn more.

What is peptide therapy?

Proteins are long chains of amino acids linked together. Peptides are much smaller chains of amino acids, meaning they share many similar properties, but are not the same thing. Because peptides are smaller and less dense than proteins, it appears they are more easily absorbed by the body. This enables them to penetrate intestines and skin more easily, allowing faster entry to the bloodstream.

Peptides are naturally present in foods such as:

• Meat
• Fish and shellfish
• Milk
• Eggs
• Flaxseed and hemp seed
• Wheat
• Beans and lentils
• Soy
• Oats

Peptides are also available in a variety of products, including oral supplements, skincare products, or as injectable therapies. Lab-made peptides are used in medications for conditions like diabetes or multiple sclerosis due to their ability to mimic natural peptides. Different types of peptides play different roles in the body.

What does peptide therapy do?

Peptide therapy has a number of benefits which can vary by type. Peptides can be distinguished from one another based on their sequence of amino acids.

Generally, research indicates peptides can help:

• Lower high blood pressure
• Improve function of the immune system
• Reduce inflammation
• Strengthen the skin barrier to fight bacteria and promote healing
• Prevent blood clots
• Function as antioxidants

Peptides also can play an important role in cellular communication. They can activate and exchange information with various receptors. By triggering messaging compounds and hormones to release, they can influence a variety of bodily processes.

Different types of peptide therapy and their benefits

Ipamorelin (CJC 1295)

Ipamorelin is used to help aid weight loss and build muscle. It does this by stimulating the production of human growth hormones. It is frequently used by bodybuilders and has been studied as a treatment for hypogonadism. Peptide therapy has emerged as an alternative to creatine powders, due to side effects involving digestive issues. When combined with exercise and training, peptides can help improve athletic performance, and can help you reach your athletic goals.

BPC 157

This peptide is known to aid joint recovery. It can help improve healing, promoting damage repair and the growth of healthy tissue. It can also help reduce inflammation and acts as an antioxidant, further aiding the healing process.

Creatine peptide

Creatine can help improve strength and build muscle. Creatine protein powders have been popular for many years with athletes and bodybuilders but have been known to cause digestive issues. Creatine peptide fuels muscles and helps boost energy but is easier to digest.

Collagen Peptide

Collagen peptides can help slow aging and help improve skin elasticity and hydration. It is believed collagen peptides also stimulate melanin production, offering improved protection against sun damage. Research also indicates they may also help prevent age-related bone loss. They can also help promote faster wound healing by reducing inflammation and functioning as antioxidants.

More benefits of peptide therapy

• Improves the skin barrier – The skin barrier plays an important role in keeping you healthy, serving as the first line of defense against pollution, toxins, and bacteria. Peptides have antimicrobial properties, which help fight bacteria that cause acne. Currently, researchers are investigating the link between antimicrobial peptide levels and skin disorders. They are exploring whether high or low levels of these peptides contribute to conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or rosacea.
• Helps treat hypertension– A study in 2008 revealed that peptides can help lower blood pressure. Benefits may be experienced either as a supplement in addition to traditional high blood pressure therapies, or as an alternative.
  Help prevent blood clots- Studies indicate that supplementing peptides can help prevent blood clots.
• Immunity boosting properties– Peptides can help prevent illness and promote faster healing and recovery.

What are the benefits of peptide injections over oral supplements?

Peptide oral supplements are unlikely to be as effective as injections, as pills must pass through the digestive system before they can be absorbed by the body. Because peptides are shorter amino acid chains than peptides, they are more easily broken down by the digestive system. This can result in an absorption rate of 50% or less.

The FDA does not regulate supplements to the same degree as medications, which means that supplements are not necessarily guaranteed to be safe. Getting peptide injections from a licensed and trained healthcare provider is a more reliable way to ensure the supplements you are taking are both safe and effective.

Peptide injections deliver peptides directly to the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system and achieving the highest absorption rate possible. In addition to better absorption, peptide injections are also bioavailable right away, meaning your body can start using peptides almost immediately. Oral supplements that are not broken down by your digestive system take hours to become available and start taking effect.

If you are unable to take peptide injections due to fear or aversion to needles, you should discuss alternatives with your healthcare provider. They may be able to guide you towards oral supplements that are reliable and safe. They may also be able to recommend a dosage that can help address your health concerns and a treatment plan to follow.

Are there side effects to peptide therapy?

Peptide therapy is unlikely to cause serious side effects in healthy people. This is because therapeutic peptides are similar to those present in food. Despite the relative safety of peptide therapy, you should still get medical guidance. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, who have chronic health conditions, or who take prescription medications should check with their doctor to make sure it’s safe.

While peptides themselves are relatively safe, it is possible that other ingredients in peptide products can cause an allergic reaction, particularly topical skincare products. You should always check the ingredients in a supplement or treatment for your allergens.

Obtaining peptide therapy through a licensed and trained physician is the safest way to get peptide therapy. Supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as strictly as medications; a doctor can direct you to the safest and most effective peptide therapies. This can also help take the guesswork out of the amount of peptide therapy you should be taking; consuming too much may result in unwanted side effects.

You can confirm a doctor is properly licensed and certified by using the Administrators In Medicine (AIM) DocFinder. In some states, you may also be able to view whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a doctor as a result of a complaint. When selecting a peptide therapy provider, you should also consider the lab providing peptides. Make sure to check that the lab is certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This certification means the lab meets FDA requirements for safety and operating procedures. It also means that the treatments produced by the lab are in line with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), meaning they are safe.