Peptides 101

The concept of peptides, proteins, and amino acids might initially appear perplexing, especially with the abundance of information available that often fails to provide clear insights into their benefits and distinctions from regular proteins.

Peptides are condensed versions of proteins, and they are often included in supplements due to their potential anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and muscle-building properties. They are naturally found in the body and there are over 7,000 known types of peptides at this very moment. 

These peptides play a crucial role in regulating hormones, optimizing organ function, and maintaining healthy skin. It’s no wonder why peptides have gained so much attention recently – extensive scientific research supports their various benefits and applications.

What are Peptides?

Peptides are chains of amino acids that offer diverse advantages to the body. When they come together in groups of 50 or more, they create proteins. Typically, peptides consist of two to fifty amino acids in a chain and can be categorized into two groups:

• • Endogenous peptides,
  • Exogenous peptides.

Endogenous Peptides

These peptides are naturally produced in various cells throughout your body, ranging from neural cells to immune system cells. Each protein in your body is composed of a single chain called a polypeptide, consisting of 20 or more amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. The specific order in which these amino acids are linked determines the function and structure of each peptide chain. Peptides play a vital role in several crucial processes in the body, including wound healing and cellular communication.

Exogenous Peptides

Conversely, exogenous peptides are peptides that come into your body from sources outside, like food, supplements, and medications. These external peptides can also have different impacts on how your body works.

Understanding Peptides Further

Before getting into specific peptides and their benefits, it’s important to grasp peptide mechanisms and types.

How Do Peptides Work

Peptides are naturally produced by your glands and organs, such as your stomach, intestine, and brain. They function as biological messengers, similar to hormones, transferring information across tissues via the bloodstream.

Despite their synthetic-sounding names like NAD+ and BPC-157, peptides are fundamental constituents of our body’s foundation. Peptides play important roles in key physiological processes such as blood glucose regulation, hunger control, and even potential disease prevention. These are only a few examples of the numerous advantages that peptides can provide.

Different Types of Peptides

There are many ways to classify peptides. Below we have grouped them based on the administration route. 

Injection

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 

Many health supplements incorporate peptides into their blends, additionally peptides are offered in troche form. Troches are an effective alternative to injections. They are designed to be dissolved slowly in the mouth delivering medication through mucous membranes for faster absorption into the bloodstream avoiding medications that go through the stomach and liver for digestion.  

Topical 

Due to their potential anti-aging attributes, numerous topical creams and skincare formulations can incorporate peptides. Selected studies indicate that topical application of certain peptides may yield favorable outcomes for aged and photodamaged skin.

Additional Potential Benefits of Peptides

Because of how peptides naturally work with the body’s own processes, they can safely be added to enhance and improve one’s health and overall well-being. Due to these effects, peptides can offer a wide range of benefits such as:

• • • Weight Loss: Peptides like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have shown potential for appetite suppression and blood sugar control.
    • Strength & Conditioning: Certain peptides like Sermorelin and CJC-1295 may enhance muscle mass, reduce body fat, and boost energy levels.
    • Healthy Aging: Peptides like NAD+ play a role in cellular repair, potentially slowing down the aging process.
    • Injury & Recovery: Peptides such as BPC-157 have been linked to accelerated healing of wounds and enhanced overall well-being
    • Sexual Wellness: Peptides such as Oxytocin may potentially address sexual problems and increase post-intercourse satisfaction.
      

Side Effects of Peptides

Peptides are generally considered safe for healthy individuals. Due to the various uses of different peptides, they can be linked to certain side effects, including:

• • • Nausea
    • Diarrhea
    • Bloating
    • Skin Sensitivity 

Talk to your Vita Bella healthcare provider about which peptides may help you achieve your health or wellness goals.

The Bottom Line

Peptides can offer an array of health benefits whether you want to lose weight, recover from an injury, increase strength, enhance your sexual performance or improve cognitive function. As further research and science advances, peptides are emerging as powerful tools with the ability to reshape the way we approach health and well-being.