Peptide therapy may sound like the latest fad, but peptides are natural substances that have a real and vital effect inside your body. As you get older, your body’s peptide production often declines, contributing to many issues related to aging, from skin wrinkles and muscle loss to a weak immune system.

As a medical practitioner specializing in healing therapies that promote your optimal health and fight aging, Dr. Jelena Petkovic often prescribes peptide therapy as part of your integrative care. Here, she reviews the basics about peptides and their role in your health.

Peptides explained

Peptides are small proteins. Both peptides and proteins consist of chains of amino acids. However, peptides have 2-50 amino acids, while proteins are made up of long chains containing more than 50 and sometimes thousands of amino acids.

You already have peptides inside your body, where they’re essential for a multitude of biochemical activities that keep you alive and healthy.

The role each peptide plays depends on the type, number, and order of amino acids. For example, peptides are important for muscle growth and skin health. They help protect your brain, strengthen your immune system, and reduce bodywide inflammation, to name just a few of their roles.

Peptides in medications

Here’s more evidence of the impact peptides have in your body: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved numerous peptide medications. One of the best-known is insulin, but there are many others.

Peptide drugs do things like reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, prevent blood clots, treat cancer, and serve as antioxidants preventing cell damage. In recent years, the FDA has approved drugs to treat conditions such as obesity, muscular dystrophy, and multiple myeloma.

How peptide therapy works

Peptide therapy refers to taking peptides that target a specific problem in your body. Since there are so many peptides with different treatment goals, we begin with a thorough physical assessment, including an exam and talking with you about your personal challenges and wellness goals.

We also perform functional medicine testing, running blood work to precisely identify health issues, inflammation, and hormone and micronutrient deficiencies.

We often prescribe injectable peptides to prevent their breakdown in your stomach and to be sure you receive a precise dose. However, peptide therapy is available in many forms, including oral capsules or tablets, nasal sprays, and topical lotions.

Benefits of peptide therapy

Different peptide formulas target a wide range of health concerns. Here are a few examples:

Anti-aging

Peptides applied to your skin boost collagen production, strengthening your skin and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles.

When taken orally, peptides slow down cell death by lengthening telomeres. Each strand of DNA has structures called telomeres that cover the ends of the strand. Telomeres get shorter every time DNA replicates, which contributes to cellular aging. Peptides that protect telomeres have an anti-aging effect.

We offer comprehensive age-management services that include peptide therapy because these mini-proteins fight aging through many pathways.

In addition to protecting DNA, peptides stimulate the production of essential hormones that naturally decline as you get older. This type of peptide therapy may help prevent age-related muscle loss, improve nerve regeneration, or strengthen your cardiovascular system.

Weight loss

Peptides help with weight loss by regulating fat storage, promoting fat burning, and boosting hormones that control hunger. One type of peptide, carnitine, supports the body’s ability to turn fat into energy.

Muscle strength

You may benefit from peptides that stimulate muscle growth and help repair damaged soft tissues like tendons and ligaments.

Brain health

Since some peptides can cross the blood brain barrier to reach your brain, peptides that repair and regenerate nerves may treat brain injuries and improve memory, concentration, and learning.

Pain relief

Peptides can give you relief from chronic pain by promoting healing and suppressing inflammation.

To learn how peptide therapy can help you achieve a healthier life, call Dr. Jelena or book an appointment online today.