For the purposes of getting straight to the point, Peptides are a sequence of amino acids. The use of Peptides, is a fascinating medical breakthrough for patients who are interested in the benefits of optimized health including, fat loss and anti-catabolic muscle tissue enhancement, anti-aging, immune health, gut healing, cardiovascular and neuroprotective health, and various types of tissue repair, including rapid connective tissue injury rehabilitation and post-surgery recovery.
The Power of Peptides
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are all the rage right now, due to their monumental role in the maintenance of normal bodily functions, their nutritional value as well as their influence on one’s mood, hormonal function and growth. Peptides are the basic building blocks of proteins, which are one of the three core nutritional elements of a healthy diet – the other two being carbohydrates (sugar) and lipids (fats). Of these 3 elements, proteins are the most vital determinants of health and quality of life. Did you know that the origin of the word protein is proteios, which means primary in Greek!
What Role Do Peptides Play?
Peptides are vital for 3 main reasons. First, they are essential for the synthesis of DNA – this is the “code” of our cells, which determines everything from the color of our eyes and skin, our height, our body type and even our risk for developing certain diseases as we age. Second, peptides determine our mood and psychosocial wellbeing; they are required for producing dopamine and serotonin which are the “happy chemicals”, a lack of which can cause depression and anxiety. Third, peptides are essential in the synthesis of enzymes. Enzymes are like biological scissors; they metabolise large molecules which we consume as part of our daily diet and also speed up biochemical reactions in the body to ensure that the inner workings of our cells (the basic building blocks of life) work properly.
What Are The Benefits Of Peptides?
In this article, I want to discuss 4 benefits of peptides. The first is that of wound healing. Certain peptides are capable of stimulating the production of collagen which is the “glue” which binds our cells together; also known as connective tissue. When we sustain wounds or injuries to our inner organs, collagen is produced by specialized repair cells in an order to reverse the injury. For people who have experienced connective tissue injuries like severe tendonitis, tendon tears and even complete tendon ruptures, peptides can be a Godsend with regard to repair and recovery of these complex injuries.
Three of the most popular peptides are BPC-157, TB-500 and CJC-1295. These powerful peptides have become incredibly popular, because they work wonders with respect to helping heal connective tissue injuries. The majority of connective tissue problems occur to tendons and are a result of overdoing exercise, using too much weight and repetitive-use/stress injuries. A tendon injury can wreak havoc on your life and can throw a massive wrench into your fitness progress, in addition to affecting other vital aspects of your life - including restful sleep, livelihood and extra-curricular activities.
Before peptides, one would learn to deal with the pain and discomfort or resort to invasive surgery, placing life as we know it, on hold!
How about gut health. The peptide known as LL-37 helps by protecting against microbes (e.g. bad bacteria and fungi) and toxins. LL-37 can bind to and neutralize certain bacteria and has been shown to help regulate and act as a defensive measure to the inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract.
The beauty of peptides is that they are organic and naturally occurring compounds. They are not drugs per se, as they are solely comprised of proteins and therefore have virtually no side-effects when used properly.
Conclusion
Peptides are miraculous agents of nature that are 100% natural and comprised solely of amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins. They represent the future of personalized medicine, where side-effects are minimized and where healthy living can be achieved by consuming the gifts of nature. Peptides are capable of restoring youth, enhancing growth, optimizing cellular function, repairing injuries and wounds as well as promoting a sense of well-being.
References
- Pai, V.V., P. Bhandari, and P. Shukla, Topical peptides as cosmeceuticals. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol, 2017. 83(1): p. 9-18.
- Fields, K., et al., Bioactive peptides: signaling the future. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2009. 8(1): p. 8-13.