What Is Peptide Therapy and When Is It Used?

You may not know it, but you depend on peptides. They’re naturally produced in your body and fill roles essential for maintaining optimal health. 

Peptides are also produced in labs and used in prescription medications and for peptide therapy. Sirisat Khalsa, MD, at Clarity Medical Group, specializes in using targeted peptide therapy to restore balance, enhance your health, and support your well-being.

About peptides

Peptides are small proteins produced throughout your body. Proteins are complex chains of 50 to 2000 amino acids. By comparison, a peptide is a short chain of two to 50 amino acids.

All peptides activate cellular functions. However, each peptide has a specific role that’s crucial for keeping you active and healthy. For example, some neurotransmitters and hormones are peptides. 

Peptides fill such vital roles that they’re frequently used in prescription medications. Prescription insulin is a peptide for lowering blood sugar in people with diabetes. The GLP-1 medications popular for weight loss and controlling diabetes, like Wegovy® and Ozempic®, are also peptide hormones.

These are a few examples of how peptides produce results by targeting the biological root of the problem:

GHK-Cu peptide

The GHK-Cu peptide is found in serum (the liquid part of your blood). It decreases inflammation and promotes skin regeneration. It also increases collagen and elastin production, improving the skin’s strength and resilience and helping it resist aging and wrinkles.

Sermorelin (GHRP-2)

Sermorelin boosts human growth hormone (HGH) levels. HGH declines as you age. Taking this peptide may fight problems caused by low HGH, such as muscle loss, thinning skin, weight gain, energy loss, and heart problems.

Natriuretic peptides

Several organs in your body produce natriuretic peptides, including the kidneys, bones, brain, and heart.

In the heart, they protect from stress and improve circulation by dilating (expanding) blood vessels, eliminating excess fluids, and lowering blood pressure. A prescription C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) treats an inherited condition that stops bone growth.

About peptide therapy

Peptide therapy refers to using synthetically produced bioidentical peptides to improve your health. Bioidentical peptides match those synthesized in your body, so they produce the same results.

Before recommending peptide therapy, we complete a comprehensive physical evaluation, including clinical assessments and blood tests.

After identifying the cause of your symptoms and potential peptide imbalances or deficiencies, we prescribe the peptides you need to improve a health condition, promote healing, or support a health goal.

Peptides come in several forms, including topical (patch, cream, or gel), oral (capsule or tablet), and injection. The one that’s best for you depends on the peptide and its purpose.

Peptide therapy benefits

Peptide therapy targets many different health concerns. We may recommend this innovative therapy to:

• Slow aging
• Lose weight
• Accelerate healing
• Ease chronic pain
• Reduce inflammation
• Speed up muscle recovery
• Strengthen muscles
• Sharpen brain function
• Fight fatigue and stress
• Boost hormone levels
• Enhance sexual function
• Improve sports performance

This list isn’t comprehensive, but it highlights many of the most common ways peptides may improve your health.

When would you need peptide therapy?

Adults often have low peptide levels because production slows with aging. Peptide therapy improves your symptoms by restoring your natural levels.

You may benefit from peptide therapy if you have a health concern like chronic pain, a slow-healing wound, or hormone imbalance. Many people use peptide therapy to enhance their overall well-being because they feel weak or sluggish. Peptides are also frequently recommended to fight aging.

If you’re curious about peptide therapy and how it might help you enhance your well-being, request an appointment online or call Clarity Medical Group today.