Peptides are compounds that form the basic building blocks of proteins. More specifically, they are a group of linked amino acids that come in many different sizes, shapes and classifications (which all goes to determine their purpose and functionality). It’s also worth pointing out that peptides are naturally “recyclable” by the human body! This means that once they are used, they can be used again and do not leave behind a path of debris that must be dealt with.
There are peptides all over the world — Just to name a small handful, there are plant peptides, endocrine peptides, antibiotic peptides, fungal peptides, immune peptides and brain peptides. Peptides also serve as structural components of bones and soft tissues. Even the all-mighty collagen consists of peptides at its base. In fact, our bodies alone have over 7,000 known peptides! Without them, we would not have our structure or our bodily functions.
While peptides have an expansive list of purposes in the human body, many of them are crucial for the human body’s ability to maintain homeostasis (the state of steady physical and biochemical conditions that keep you feeling like yourself day after day). Understanding this also shows why peptides are key components of bodily processes that are important for keeping us youthful and feeling rejuvenated. For instance, peptides play important roles in processes like hormone production, brain and central nervous system function, muscle and tissue repair, immune control and modulation, inflammation control, DNA repair, antimicrobial effects, weight loss, and even libido regulation. And yes, the effects of aging are also directly influenced by peptides.
As our bodies age, our natural peptide production gradually decreases. In fact, research has shown that collagen peptide production starts dropping by about 1 percent each year after we turn around 20 years of age. By 40, production is at an all-time low and stops entirely through middle age. This is what leads to drooping, sagging skin, fine lines and deep wrinkles. Therefore, increased peptide levels are necessary in order to lessen and, in some cases, prevent entirely, the visible signs of aging.
We know that there is a need for higher peptide levels, and this is exactly the purpose that modern peptide therapies serve. See, peptides can be synthesized in a lab setting in addition to naturally occurring in the human body, and research is showing that there is virtually no difference in how they are recognized and used by the body. Specifically, synthesized peptides are administered in order to replenish the body’s naturally-occuring peptides, mimicing their functions and targeting certain cells to either strengthen or perform certain actions (such as increase collagen productions or rejuvenate the body’s tissues).
An increasing amount of treatments are focusing on HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) peptides. HCG is a hormone that is naturally produced in the placenta during pregnancy, but studies have shown that introducing it into non-pregnant individuals may actually help with weight loss and anti-aging. HCG therapy helps increase the body’s energy and stimulates hormones that repair soft tissues. Those who undergo HCG anti-aging peptide therapy can expect higher skin elasticity, reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and feeling more energetic overall. Many will also experience enhanced weight loss when following an appropriate diet and lifestyle.
Peptide therapy works so well because it does not rely on foreign substances and chemicals. Though synthesized, lab-produced peptides are received by the human body as natural. While anti-aging peptide therapy is still relatively new in the medical world, it is very promising and has already yielded highly positive results. Furthermore, this form of therapy has so far proven to be very safe and low in side effects, making it ideal for long-term anti-aging treatment.
