Peptide Therapy

This promising therapy is based on research that has been ongoing for many years, and it’s opening new doors in how we understand the body’s communication systems and how to treat various health issues, especially as we age.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are small chains of amino acids that play a crucial role in how our cells communicate with each other. There are literally thousands of naturally occurring peptides in the human body. These molecules communicate from cell to cell much like hormones. A great example of a peptide you may already be familiar with is insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. When the pancreas releases insulin, it signals cells throughout the body to absorb the sugar in the bloodstream, helping maintain balance.

What makes peptides so fascinating is that their sequencing is specific, much like a key fitting into a lock. Each peptide is designed to fit the receptor site on a cell, allowing the body to carry out a particular function.

Peptides in Medicine: Unlocking Their Potential

Peptide therapy is gaining traction for its ability to use these naturally occurring peptides to treat a wide range of health issues. The precursor peptides to hormones and chemicals in the body help us stay young, and can also aid in treating diseases. Some examples of therapeutic peptides include:

• Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Helps with anti-aging, muscle growth, and overall vitality.
• Pain-Reducing Peptides: Aid in inflammation reduction, providing relief for conditions like arthritis, IBS, and autoimmune disorders.
• Vasodilator Peptides: Help dilate blood vessels, benefiting those with high blood pressure or erectile dysfunction.

These are just a few examples, but the list is truly endless. Peptide therapy also plays a significant role in slowing down the aging process, potentially warding off diseases for over twenty years, while also improving longevity and quality of life.

The Growth of Peptide Therapy

Though peptide therapy is relatively new, it has been gaining ground since about 2015. There are currently over 60 FDA-approved peptide medications, with 150 peptide drugs undergoing clinical trials and more than 500 in preclinical development.

Since peptides are naturally occurring in the body, they address the underlying causes of many age-related conditions like osteoporosis, obesity, inflammatory diseases, bowel issues, and neuropathy. For this reason, peptide therapy aligns beautifully with naturopathic medicine, which seeks to support the body’s natural healing processes.

My Journey With Peptides

I recall working as a microbiologist in the 1990s, collaborating with fellow scientists on research related to mapping peptides. We had the vision that if we could fully understand the chemical structure of every peptide in the human body, we could synthesize and replace them when deficiencies occur, something that naturally happens as we age.

Now, almost thirty years later, we are seeing this dream come to life, and I’m so grateful to be part of this medical advancement. The possibilities are exciting!

How Peptides Are Administered

Most peptides can be administered as small injections under the skin, allowing the peptide to be absorbed into the body. For peptides that work specifically to heal the gut (such as those used for ulcers, reflux disease, Crohn’s disease, and colitis), they can be taken orally. Some peptides that promote collagen production and wound healing can even be applied topically for targeted results.