What are peptides?

Peptides are chains of amino acids. Most people recognize amino acids as the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are smaller than proteins but play important roles in various biological processes including hormonal signaling. Peptides have many different uses and are often used in skincare products, as weight loss medications, and in enhancing athletic performance. In such instances, peptides play important roles in collagen formation, appetite regulation, and growth hormone production. You have likely heard of peptides but may have not even realized it. Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and their generics Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are some of the most popular peptides on the market right now. These medications are synthetic analogs of the GLP-1 and GIP peptide hormones, and they are designed to mimic the peptide's effects in regulating satiety to promote weight loss. If you have more familiarity with peptides, you have likely heard of Sermorelin, one of the more popular peptides for improving athletic performance and aiding in recovery. Sermorelin triggers the release of growth hormones making it easier to increase muscle mass and strength as well as recover from training. For similar reasons, peptides, like Sermorelin can also play a role in recovering from injury. Peptides can be used for anti-aging purposes as well. Similar to their role in skin care, using low doses systemically can help slow the aging process. The benefits of using peptides for this goal include improving skin elasticity, increasing lean muscle, decreasing inflammation, and increasing energy, to name a few. As you can see peptides have many applications for health and wellness but should only be considered under the guidance of a medical professional. Like anything, careful assessment and monitoring are necessary to determine if you are a candidate for peptide therapy and to monitor its safety and efficacy over time.