Peptide Pandemonium
What Are Peptides?
So much press about peptides these days! Not a week goes by that I am not asked about my thoughts regarding Peptides! This is a rather loaded question. So let’s have a candid conversation about peptides and clear up any confusion. Peptides are simply short chains of amino acids, the fundamental building blocks of proteins. While proteins typically consist of more than 100 amino acids, peptides range from just 2 up to about 100 amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. Their relatively small size gives peptides unique properties compared to larger proteins, making them essential players in many bodily functions.
How Peptides Work
Peptides can act as:
• Hormones, such as insulin (controlling blood sugar) and oxytocin (associated with social bonding and childbirth).
• Neurotransmitters, which transmit signals between nerve cells.
• Regulators of immune functions and antioxidants, supporting overall health and defense against disease.
Because of their vital role in cellular communication, peptides act like the body’s tiny messengers, telling cells how to behave, when to grow, repair, or fight off invaders. These are all very important jobs.
Peptides in Medicine:
The human body produces many peptides naturally. They are also found in foods like eggs, milk, meat, beans, and seeds. We currently have many FDA or Health Canada approved peptides which can assist in the following systems:
• Improving muscle growth and recovery
• Supporting skin repair and hydration
• Reducing inflammation and fighting microbes
• Acting as antioxidants and immune boosters
• Treatment of Diabetes and Weight loss (Such as Semaglutide)
• Cancer therapy
• Bone health and osteoporosis
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Cardiovascular health
• Pain management
• Immune modulation
• Neuroprotection and brain disorders
Peptide-based therapies may have advantages over traditional medicines, including greater target specificity and fewer side effects. The body can usually safely break down peptides into amino acids, which it can reuse as needed. There are many more peptide in the advanced stages of research and development for other treatments in the future. The future of peptides is indeed bright.
Peptides vs Proteins:
Proteins have longer chains, more complex folding, and varied, essential functions required for life, from building tissues to catalyzing biological reactions. These structural and functional differences explain why peptides and proteins, despite being made from the same amino acid building blocks, have differing functions.
Although there are many natural and approved peptides used in medicine, and with many more on the way, there is currently a huge push, especially online, to use unapproved or scientific research peptides for anti-aging or longevity treatments. This is what is termed off-label use. This is due primarily because there is a great deal of money to be made selling these peptides especially under a supplement designation and, in that way, avoiding the strict research, development and quality assurance necessary to obtain proper approval. For example, there is currently a great deal of push online to use the peptide BPC-157.
So Let’s Shine a Spotlight On: BPC-157
Now, let’s focus on a peptide that’s generating a lot of buzz: BPC-157.
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 stands for “Body Protection Compound 157.” It is a short peptide, consisting of 15 amino acids, originally thought to be isolated from human gastric (stomach) juice. Unlike most naturally occurring peptides, BPC-157 is best known in a concentrated or synthesized form used for research and, in some cases, therapy.
Potential Benefits and Uses
Research—mainly in animal models—suggests BPC-157 may offer several benefits:
•. Accelerated wound healing: Promotes faster repair of skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments, and even bone.
• Tissue regeneration: Enhances the body’s ability to recover from injuries.
• Reduced inflammation: May decrease swelling and pain from various injuries and conditions.
• Increased blood flow: Supports vascular healing and improved nutrient delivery.
• Potential benefits in gastrointestinal health, such as healing gastric ulcers and reducing symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
• Possible support for immune function and muscle strength.
Some early studies suggest BPC-157 could indeed be helpful in protecting the brain from trauma and may play a role in addressing complex conditions like cancer cachexia (muscle wasting in cancer patients).
How Does BPC-157 Work?
• BPC-157 appears to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, enhance the growth of fibroblasts (key cells in healing), and modulate important growth factors.
• It may up-regulate the growth hormone receptor in tissues, amplifying the effects of other regenerative hormones.
• BPC-157 also seems highly resistant to breakdown within the body, prolonging its effect.
Safety and Regulatory Status - It’s important to note:
• BPC-157 is not approved for clinical use in humans in most countries and is classified as an experimental substance. Much of what is known comes from animal or lab studies, with limited published human research. Most of the studies have been done on rats NOT humans.
• Well-known health organizations and regulators caution about its use, especially as a supplement or injectable not overseen by medical professionals. More human studies are needed to clearly understand its safety profile and effectiveness.
Final Thoughts
Peptides are vital to the body’s operation, playing roles as messengers, healers, and builders throughout your system. As science advances, we’re regularly discovering new therapeutic uses for peptides—from skincare to advanced medicine. However, we need more human studies to clearly understand their safety and effectiveness of specific peptides. Often there is no evidence from randomized trials in humans that show any of the benefits that are advocated in many of the off-label peptides. Many of the peptides sold on the internet are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Many peptides are promoted to be anti-aging and for improved wellness and longevity. Some may be, but at this time we need the prudence of waiting and of research. Celebrity Influencer recommendations are not often as conducive with improving your health as they are in lightening your wallet.
BPC-157 specifically, is a promising peptide, with laboratory and animal studies suggesting powerful regenerative benefits. However, its use is still experimental, and anyone considering it should consult a healthcare provider and review current regulatory guidelines before its use.
Just because we can buy something online, or from friends at the gym, doesn’t mean that we should be putting it in our bodies. Certainly not before we have some actual HUMAN studies showing safety and efficacy and preferably either a FDA or Health Canada approval for use.
References:
1. WebMD
2. Bachem
3. Wikipedia
4. Health.com
5. Medical News Today
6. Cleveland Clinic
7. Art of Dermatology
8. Cima Health
9. Phoenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
10. PMC Article on BPC-157
11. Healthy Male Australia
12. USADA
