What is Peptide Therapy?

A peptide is a short chain of amino acids that are linked together, or they can also be called a small protein. To date, over 7000 naturally occurring peptides have been identified. Your body makes peptides. In our bodies, these small proteins typically act as signaling molecules. They bind to receptors on the cell surface and tell other cells and molecules what to do. Peptides act like a key that opens a lock. Get it? Lab-made peptides can mimic some of those found in our bodies. We only use accredited pharmacies to offer our patients only the highest-grade peptides to achieve superior and real results.

Peptide therapy, or the use of specific peptides in treatment, has gained great popularity in recent years. This is due largely to the fact that these peptides are highly specific (i.e., only do what you want them to do) while also being well-tolerated and safe. It is like having a key for each door. A key to controlling sugar like insulin. A key to controlling hunger like the GLP peptides. A key to controlling sex drive like PT-141. A key to having radiant skin like GHK-cu peptide.  As of January 2020, there were over 70 US FDA-approved peptides.

Most of these peptide drugs are administered as subcutaneous injections, transdermal creams, nasal sprays, and oral tablets.

What Conditions Do Peptides Therapy Help With?

ADHD, great-looking skin, weight loss, irritable bowel syndrome, low energy, increased libido, faster healing after injuries or surgeries, treating lingering post-Covid symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease, erection problems, increased libido, having a tan without going in the sun, longevity, you name it, peptides do it. There is almost a peptide for everything. And we have them.

• Increased Energy and Anti-Aging

One class of these peptides are known as growth hormone secretagogues and cause the secretion of one’s own HGH in the body. These peptides have been shown to be very useful in the treatment of age-related conditions, osteoporosis, obesity, and various chronic inflammatory diseases, and have several advantages over traditional HGH administration. Those peptides such as Ipamorelin or Sermorlein can make you leaner, more energized, more youthful, have more stamina at the gym, and sleep better. It is like turning back the clock.

• Youthful Skin and Healthy Joints

Another type of peptide drug we use a lot at our office for skin rejuvenation and wrinkles reduction is GHK-cu. We use this peptide to have better and younger-looking skin for our patients. This miraculous peptide also helps with collagen production after joint injuries and surgeries to help us heal much faster.

• Healing

The novel Covid-19 infection has changed people’s health dramatically. Many of us who got infected and recovered from this virus were left with residual symptoms such as loss of smell, taste, fatigue, brain fog, a lingering cough, etc. That’s because Covid-19 not only affects the lungs, but it also damages other tissues. We use a variety of peptides to help health conditions after Covid-19 infection such as BPC-157 and Thymosin-beta.

• Obesity 

Peptides are the latest craze that can help people lose tons of weight. You can lose tons of weight with the GLP peptides. Saxenda, and Ozempic are examples of such peptides.

• Tanned Skin and Increased Sex Drive

A certain class of peptide drug has been used to help prevent skin cancer by increasing the melanin in one’s skin, causing a darkening effect that mimics a quality suntan. This peptide has also been shown to improve sex drive.

Would You Benefit From Peptide Therapy?

Peptide therapy encompasses numerous different drugs with varied effects, ranging from immune modulation and tissue repair to fat loss and muscle building. Our office has seen very positive results in patients from all walks of life including those suffering from hard-to-treat illnesses such as CFS, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia, among other conditions. Anyone can benefit from peptides even if they are healthy.

Which Peptides Do We Offer?

With over 70 peptides that are FDA approved, we offer many, and we stay ahead with the latest research as we advise our patients on what’s best for them. Here are some of the common peptides that we offer to our patients, but our list is huge.

Thymosin Alpha-1

Thymosin Alpha-1 is a peptide, or small protein, consisting of 28 amino acids. Thymosin Alpha is produced naturally by the thymus gland. The thymus is located behind the sternum and between the lungs and is where immune cells known as T cells mature and are released, prompted to do so by the Thymosin Alpha 1 peptide. T cell production and action within the body is vital to adaptive immunity—the mode by which immune cells are able to recognize and eradicate foreign invaders. Thymosin Alpha has been found to have a profound effect on the immune system and is the active ingredient in the immune-modulating drug, Zadaxin®. Zadaxin® is used to treat hepatitis B and C and has been studied extensively for its ability to support an immune system that has been suppressed by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Thymosin Alpha Helps Support Important Immune Cells. Specifically, Thymosin Alpha has been shown to enhance the function of certain immune cells called T and dendritic cells. This is very important to anyone with a depressed immune system or suffering from an infection, as these white blood cells play pivotal roles in the body’s defense process. T cells, for example, come in two forms: killer and helper T cells. Killer T cells are responsible for hunting down and destroying our body’s own cells that are cancerous or infected with bacteria or viruses. Helper cells work with the other cells of the immune system to orchestrate and carry out appropriate immune responses. Dendritic cells are just as valuable to our body’s defense system. These cells gather important information about infection or the presence of cancerous cells and communicate with the T cells, who then act appropriately to eradicate the unhealthy cells and stop the infection or cancer growth. Thymosin Alpha itself has been shown to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal properties, suppress tumor growth, increase vaccine effectiveness, and protect against oxidative damage. Studies have shown that individuals fighting infection have a lower amount of circulating Thymosin Alpha and suppressed helper T cell numbers compared to healthy individuals. This is problematic, as optimal immune function is vital to recovery from infection. Supplementation with Thymosin Alpha has the potential for great therapeutic benefit for patients suffering from an infection. In addition to its use in the treatment of Hepatitis, AIDS, and cancer, Thymosin Alpha has shown great promise in the treatment of Lyme disease. This is unsurprising when one considers the large role the immune system plays in combating the disease. Thymosin Alpha assists the immune system in the location and eradication of the Lyme bacteria and infected cells while helping to prevent oxidative damage, thereby decreasing inflammation and enabling a better quality of life throughout treatment.

Thymosin Beta 4

Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) is the predominant form of thymosin in our bodies. It has been found in high concentrations in wound tissue and certain blood cells involved in clotting, signifying its important role in the healing process. Tβ4 also has anti-inflammatory properties and works to decrease the number of inflammatory substances, called cytokines. Inflammation plays a large role in many of the symptoms associated with a large number of conditions (i.e., Lyme disease, CFS, FM, autoimmune diseases, infections, etc.), making the potential impact of Tβ4 quite extensive. We are also using this peptide a lot on residual symptoms post Covid-9 infection. Supplementing with Tβ4; The discovery of the role of Tβ4 in the process of immune regulation has led to its use as a valuable therapeutic agent. Tβ4 has been used in the treatment of HIV, AIDS, Influenza, colds, and various infections. It has been utilized in the management of various inflammatory conditions, as well as part of treatment following heart attack due to its cardio and neuroprotective effects. Tβ4 has been used at our office with a great deal of success in patients suffering from Lyme disease or other infectious and/or inflammatory conditions. Tβ4 is very well tolerated and has not been found to cause any significant side effects. It can be taken on its own or in conjunction with an existing therapy, making it a versatile and very valuable peptide.

Growth Hormone Secretagogues (GHSs)

Feeling low energy? Want to turn back the clock? This class of peptides includes several therapeutics that stimulate growth hormone (HGH) secretion. Each peptide varies slightly as far as structure and mechanism of action. Thus, a certain peptide may be preferred depending on the patient’s health status and desired outcome. GHS includes Tesamorelin, CJC 1295, GHRP 2, GHRP 6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin.

1-Tesamorelin

It is used in HIV-positive patients to eliminate belly fat. It is like getting liposuction without going under the knife or surgery.  

2-CJC 1295

This peptide offers therapeutic benefits like those of HGH. CJC 1295 is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog. However, unlike GHRH, which has a half-life of only minutes after IV administration, CJC 1295 can remain active in the body for extended periods. CJC 1295 increases an important growth factor, IGF-1. In addition to HGH, leading to fat loss, lean muscle growth, and enhanced sleep, it is great to have a leaner body and feel energized.

3-GHRP 2 and 6

Those peptides stimulate HGH production significantly. Those peptides are ideal for patients who are hypercatabolic due to critical illness, cancer, AIDS wasting, and anorexia.

4-Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin stands out among other GHSs due to its enhanced specificity. This peptide generates similar increases in growth hormone secretion, but without the appetite stimulation and increase in cortisol, acetylcholine, prolactin, and aldosterone seen with other peptides in its class. This peptide has been found to be very well-tolerated. it is great to increase energy, have a leaner body, and improve sleep.

BPC-157

Body Protection Compounds (BPC)-157 is a naturally occurring peptide in human gastric fluid but is also found in small amounts in the gastric juice of other mammals. BPC-157 has enhanced stability compared to other peptides and is one of the only peptides that are available to be taken as an oral supplement. Because BPC-157 is stable gastrically, it can be taken with or without food once a day. Clinical research has shown BPC-157’s benefits for mental, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and autoimmune health. We use it post-surgeries for faster healing and recovery. Have a joint injury? You can benefit from BPC-157 to heal fast.

Melanotan II

Melanotan II is an analog of the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, the hormone responsible for pigmentation in skin and hair. This peptide has been shown not only to increase skin pigmentation, resulting in a substantial tanner skin tone but also to stimulate fat loss and increase libido. Its aphrodisiac effects were so substantial that it was the basis for the development of another peptide designed exclusively to address erectile and sexual dysfunction—Bremelanotide PT 141.

Bremelanotide PT 141

Bremelanotide PT 141 was developed from Melanotan II, targeting its aphrodisiac effects. This peptide has been shown to have a substantial effect on libido, generating sexual arousal in both men and women within minutes of administration. It has been shown to be effective in treating erectile dysfunction, even in men who have not responded to other ED treatments, such as Viagra and Cialis. This peptide is also able to cross the blood-brain barrier, bypassing the vascular system and acting at the level of the central nervous system. This property gives Bremelanotide an advantage over traditional ED drugs, which can decrease blood pressure to dangerous levels. This peptide can be administered as a nasal spray, making its use convenient and discreet.

Follastatin 344 & 315

These peptides are inhibitors of a protein called myostatin. Myostatin is secreted by muscle cells and acts to essentially block the development of new muscle fibers and, thus, the development of lean muscle mass. In fact, individuals who have mutations in the gene coding for this protein have significantly more muscle mass and enhanced strength. The administration of follistatin peptides can generate enhanced muscle mass and strength and has been found especially useful in patients suffering from muscle-wasting diseases or who have difficulty gaining muscle.

Cerebrolysin 

Cerbrolysin is a multi-modal neuropeptide. It helps the brain’s ability for self-repair. It is used for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, traumatic brain injuries, different forms of dementia (vascular dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), and cognitive disorders.

Epitalon 

Epitalon is a peptide, a telomerase activator. It was developed as an anti-aging drug in Russia. Epitalon increases the production of telomerase, a natural enzyme that helps the cells reproduce telomeres. Telomeres are the protective components of DNA and help prevent the loss of genetic information. In essence, Epitalon helps your chromosomes to stay longer and intact as you age. The longer and more intact are your chromosomes, the better off you are to prevent diseases of older age such as heart disease and cancer.