Peptide Therapy for Super-Charged Health

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are short sequence of amino acids, 3-40 amino acids in length. Basically the are very small proteins.  Biologically, peptides are signaling molecules, allowing communication between cells, and turning specific pathways on or off.  They are powerful super-chargers of your biochemical construction crew.  Peptides direct a wide range of biologic processes including:

• Hormone production
• Cellular repair
• Immune system support
• Libido/sexual function
• Metabolism
• Inflammation reduction
• Neural protection

What Is Peptide Therapy?

Peptide therapy is an exciting cutting-edge treatment that utilizes specific peptides to signal optimal messages for improved health.  Under appropriate management, the benefits can be immense.  Most often the administration is with a very small needle into the fat pad of the abdomen (subcutaneous injection).  This is necessary, as being a protein, taking an oral capsule would lead to digestion/degradation of the peptide.

Advantages of Peptide Therapy

The body is familiar with the peptides, as it uses them in its natural biological processes.  Therefore the effects are specific, usually without untoward side effects, and the break down pathways are already in place, making metabolism easy.  They are bio-identical, having the exact structure of peptides synthesized by the body.  Shape determines function in biochemistry, so bio-identical is a big key to their effectiveness.

Conditions Treated With Peptide Therapy

• Chronic Inflammation
• Auto-Immunity
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme Disease
• Cancer
• Weight management
• Anti-Aging
• Neurodegenerative diseases
• Concussion and stroke recovery
• Insomnia
• Improving repair from injury

Examples Of Peptides And Their Uses

CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin

These two peptides most often used together, as they are synergistic.  They improve the body’s ability to release Growth Hormone.  Growth hormone levels decline as we age, and with it goes our ability to repair and bounce back, our resiliency.  It really should be named “youth hormone” or “repair hormone”.  

As opposed to Growth Hormone Therapy (HGH), which involves treatment with a synthetic growth-hormone analog, peptide therapy prompts the body to release its own natural growth hormone.  Check out the chart below comparing peptides with HGH.

CJC/Ipamorelin Peptides Vs. Synthetic HGH

Thymosin Alpha-1

This is a potent immune system modulator, balancing the cell-mediated (Th1) and antibody-mediated (Th2) segments of the immune system.  It is FDA-approved under the name Zadaxin.  In the approval process, its side-effects were less than placebo.  It activates the INNATE immune response via natural killer cells (important against viruses and cancer).  It has promising applications for Lyme disease, cancer-treatment adjunct, chronic inflammatory syndromes, and seasonal allergies.  It can be used in combination with Thymosin Beta for enhanced effects.

Thymosin Beta

This peptide promotes healing by collagen deposition, thereby playing an important role in protection, regeneration and remodeling of injured or damaged tissues.  It also supports immune system function, and has potent anti-inflammatory effects.  A very cool side effect is improved hair growth (on your head ladies–not elsewhere)!

BPC-157

BPC , which stands for “Body Protection Compound”, has many uses.  It promotes a healthy gut-brain axis, improves intestinal mucosal health, promotes resolution of reflux (GERD), improves healing from injury, and is anti-inflammatory.  It also is neuro-protective, which means it decreases neuro-inflammation, improves nerve regeneration, and can improve depression and anxiety.

Epitalon

Epitalon is responsible to regulate metabolism in the pineal gland region of the brain. It also regulates the sensitivity of hypothalamus to its natural hormonal influences and regulates melatonin. Epitalon increases a person’s resistance to emotional stress and also acts as an antioxidant. It has been shown to lengthen telomeres in human cells, which is related to longevity.

FGL(L)

FGL(L) is neurotropic, meaning it can improve cognitive function, mood and creativity.  Neurotropic that it promotes health and repair of nerve/ brain cells.   It has therapeutic implications in traumatic brain injury and neuro-degenerative diseases.   In addition to its effects on neurodegenerative disease, it also has been viewed as a targeted treatment for TBI, stroke, depression, and general improvement of cognitive function.

DSIP

DSIP stands for “Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide” because it does just that–promotes deep sleep.  This wide-based implications, as insomnia is very common in most chronic illnesses.  Sleep is so very important, because it is during sleep that your body repairs.  DSIP is also used for people with circadian disturbances, as it resets the circadian rhythm.

Cautions Regarding Peptide Therapy

1. Make sure to be under the care of a knowledgeable physician.  This is not a “do-it-yourself” kind of thing.  While there are options to purchase on your own through the internet, these are not from reputable sources.  Safe manufacturing processes and proper supervision are key to achieve the benefits while minimizing risk.
2. Make sure your physician is aware of your entire history in order to choose the appropriate therapy for you.  If you have a current or previous cancer, then the growth-hormone enhancing peptides are NOT for you.
3. Pepides can not compensate for poor nutrition, and would be a waste of money if you are unwilling to improve your diet.  As signaling molecules, they prompt specific pathways, but your body still must have the raw materials with which to conduct these pathways. (It does no good to supercharge the construction crew if they have no materials to work with!)
4. Do not use peptides if you plan to become pregnant in the near future.  This is cautionary, as they have not been studied in pregnancy.

Now Available At SaluGenesis

After extensive research and evaluation, I’m very excited to now offer peptide therapy in my practice!  I think it will be a valuable addition to the protocols I’m using, and expect to see it increase the slope of healing for many of my patients.  If you are interested in exploring whether peptide therapy may be beneficial for you, let’s set up a time to talk–I’d be happy to customize a regimen for you.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968089617310222

2. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/regulatory-science-action/impact-story-developing-tools-evaluate-complex-drug-products-peptides

3. International Peptide Society Peptide Monographs