Have ever wondered what a peptide is? Then this article is for you!
These tiny (yet very mighty) molecules have gained significant media attention in the past few years. Therefore, we are not at all surprised as to why you are curious. As the famous saying goes, "Dynamite comes in small packages." And this small package packs a powerful punch.
In recent years, peptides have become the ultimate go-to ingredient. Especially for those looking to boost their appearance, beauty, health, and wellness.
But just because peptides have been all over the news recently, it does not mean they were discovered yesterday. In fact, peptides have been used in medicine for about 100 years! Did you know that?
They have played a notable role in medical practices since the advent of insulin therapy in the 1920s. With over 5.6 million people living with diabetes in the UK, and around 4.4 million people diagnosed with the condition, there is a fair chance you will know somebody who relies on insulin. And insulin is the OG of peptide treatments.
By the 1990s, scientists had identified, studied, and created thousands more peptides. In 2000, 40 peptide drugs had been approved worldwide, and since then, over 33 more have been added to the list. This shows that the future of peptides looks promising and today we are going to learn why.
Here Are Some Of The Basics
To vastly sum it up, peptides are short chains of amino acids. They are linked together by chemical bonds known as peptide bonds. When these chains contain less than 50 amino acids, they are referred to as peptides. If they contain more than 50 amino acids, they are known as proteins.
They are important because they play a huge role in almost every biological process in your body. Their main job is to carry messages throughout your body. Think of it this way. They act like head boy and head girl guiding your cells on what to do, whether it is to heal, grow, or to repair themselves faster. This makes them super versatile and absolutely invaluable in aesthetics, athletics, and medicine.
How Peptides Work Within Peptide Therapy
In peptide therapy, synthetic peptides are usually used. These human-made copies of the natural ones your body produces are designed to change or improve how certain parts of your body function. Just like the real deal. When these peptides are injected into your skin, muscles, or bloodstream, they help your cells repair themselves.
Some peptides are designed to "tell" your body to produce more collagen. This is an essential protein responsible for keeping your skin young and plump. However, as we age, our body's ability to produce enough collagen decreases. Therefore, this newly found boost works wonders. Other peptides help your muscles recover faster. They can also help boost your immune system, energy production, and even assist in breaking down fat by speeding up your metabolism. Pretty incredible, right?
Curious About The Most Popular Uses Of Peptide Therapy?
Skincare Is A Big One
Peptide therapy can directly affect the structure and appearance of your skin. It can help restore your youthful glow by stimulating an increase in collagen and elastin production. What is not to love about that? The peptide GHK-Cu, also known as Copper Tripeptide-1, is considered one of the most promising for anti-ageing. It helps improve skin elasticity, reduce wrinkles, boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, enhance skin hydration, and speed up healing after tissue damage. That is quite a mouthful but the results speak for themselves. Think of it this way. Peptide therapy is almost like a mini time machine being injected into your skin. Amazing.
Medicine And Fitness Is All The Rage
In medicine, peptides are used to treat everything from wound healing to autoimmune diseases. To quote Neil Armstrong, “It is one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind”. That is how we feel about peptide therapy. How incredibly far we have come as a species that we can use a minimally invasive treatment to promote tissue repair.
Peptide therapy is also uber useful when it comes to chronic disease management. This is basically due to their ability to promote tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and enhance your overall immune function.
In chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune disorders) peptides like thymosin beta-4 and BPC-157 have been shown to stimulate healing and accelerate recovery.
When it comes to fitness (calling all athletes and bodybuilders out there) peptides are commonly used to accelerate muscle growth and recovery. In fact, athletes and bodybuilders are known to use peptides to enhance their performance and achieve faster results from their workouts. They are also used to improve fat loss and boost energy levels. The more you know, right?
Weight Loss Is Major
We need to irritate the above. Weight loss is major. Most of us have heard of the weight loss drug, Ozempic (Semaglutide) that has taken the world by storm. But few people realise that Ozempic is a peptide. It is biochemically very similar to a natural peptide found in the human gut. Peptides are also effective for weight loss due to their ability to influence multiple aspects of your metabolism.
Peptides like CJC-1295 and AOD-9604 work by encouraging the body to use fat as a primary energy source, rather than relying on carbohydrates or muscle tissue. This shift in fuel source results in improved fat loss without sacrificing lean muscle mass, which is a common problem in so many weight loss programs.
Here Is What You Need To Remember
Peptides have transformed how doctors approach cellular regeneration. There really are no two ways around it. From boosting skin health to promoting muscle growth, improving brain function and enhancing overall vitality. Peptide therapy is the way to go.
Look at it this way. Over 60 peptide drugs have been approved in the United States, Europe, and Japan and over 150 are in active clinical development until date. This clearly indicates that peptide therapy is on the up and up.
We are also incredibly proud to mention that Healand Clinic is partnering with Koniver Wellness. Koniver Wellness is a leader in progressive therapies that has pioneered the use of peptides to achieve impressive clinical results.
So please. Let us get real. Are you aiming to rejuvenate your skin, enhance athletic performance, or strengthen your immune system? Did you just answer yes? Then peptide therapy can help!
Peptide therapy offers a versatile and effective way to improve your quality of life. It may also be the treatment for you.
If you want to rejuvenate your sin then book your consultation today to find out how peptide therapy can benefit you. In the spirit of going full circle, please share your peptide therapy experience in the comments below.