Peptides: What they are and what they do
What are Peptides and How Do They Affect the Body
If you have been looking for skincare products recently, chances are you’ve come across peptide products on the market. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the benefits of peptides to the skin, muscles, and overall health. Several studies have shown that peptides can potentially slow the aging process, destroy microbes in the body, and reduce inflammation. Because of these benefits, you’ll find several supplements that contain peptides derived from food or manufactured synthetically on the market. However, what are peptides, and what do they do?
What Are Peptides?
Many people confuse and use proteins and peptides interchangeably. However, while both are made up of amino acids, proteins and peptides are two different compounds. Peptides are short amino acid strings, often made up of 2 to 50 amino acids. Compared to proteins, which are made up of many amino acid strings, peptides are smaller and can easily be broken down. This means they can easily be absorbed by the body, penetrate the skin, and enter the bloodstream faster.
Manufacturers of peptides-rich skincare products use organic or synthetic peptides. Organic peptides come from animal and plant sources, such as eggs, meat, milk, flaxseed, wheat, beans, and lentils. Synthetic or lab-made peptides closely mimic those manufactured by the body. Bioactive peptides have varying effects on the body, primarily depending on the amino acid sequence.
What Do They Do?
There are different peptides available, each with different roles in the body. While more studies are required to determine how peptides work in the body, peptides are beneficial in the following ways:
Slow Down the Aging Process
Studies have suggested that collagen peptides can improve overall skin health and slow the natural aging process. Collagen peptides contain collagen, a vital protein in the hair, nails, and skin. Collagen peptides are broken down into proteins that can easily be absorbed by the body. Similar studies have shown that using dietary supplements made up of collagen peptides can reduce wrinkling and improve skin elasticity.
Peptides also generally increase melanin production in the skin, boosting the skin’s protective abilities. Topical cosmetic products that contain peptides also claim to improve blood circulation in the skin and skin firming.
Build Muscle Mass and Strength
Some studies have shown strong associations between peptide supplements and increased muscle mass and strength. Study participants combined collagen peptides with resistance training during the study period. Fitness enthusiasts have also long used Creatinine peptides to build muscle mass.
Improve Wound Healing
As mentioned, collagen is a crucial component of healthy skin. Therefore, it can effectively speed up wound healing. Bioactive peptides are effective antioxidants that reduce inflammation, significantly improving the body’s wound-healing abilities.
Prevents Age-related Loss of Bone Mass
Animal studies have linked moderate consumption of collagen peptides with increasing bone mass, especially in rats. These studies strongly suggest the benefits of collagen peptide in counteracting the age-related loss of bone mass.
Conclusion
Peptide therapy is a new and rapidly growing field of medical treatment. It involves the use of peptides, that act as messengers in the body and can have a variety of effects. Peptide therapy has been used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, from chronic pain to age–related diseases. Peptides are believed to help regulate hormones, improve recovery time, boost energy levels, and reduce inflammation. They have also been found to be beneficial in weight loss and muscle–building. Peptide therapy is a promising area of medicine, and research is ongoing to explore its potential benefits. For more information on peptide therapy and whether or not this treatment is right for you, please contact us at Vitality Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine.