Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. They are essentially small proteins. There are several types of peptides, including:
- Oligopeptides - These contain 2-10 amino acids. An example is glutathione, which contains 3 amino acids and acts as an antioxidant.
- Polypeptides - These contain approximately up to 100 amino acids. Examples are insulin and oxytocin. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels and oxytocin facilitates bonding.
- Proteins - Proteins contain over 100 amino acids. They have complex 3D structures and serve many essential functions like enzymes, antibodies, messengers, and structural components.
Peptides play critical biological roles in all living organisms. They are involved in cell signaling, immune function, hormone action, and much more. Many peptides derived from food proteins act as bioactive compounds that provide health benefits.
Some key functions and examples of peptides include:
- Signaling - Peptides act as local hormones and neurotransmitters to regulate physiological processes. For example, angiotensin II triggers vasoconstriction to control blood pressure.
- Defense - Many organisms produce antibiotic peptides as part of their innate immune defense. Human ?-defensin-2 fights bacteria on skin.
- Growth and development - Peptides like human growth hormone (hGH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) stimulate tissue growth.
- Nutrition - Food-derived peptides have ACE inhibitor activity, antihypertensive effects, antioxidant activity and more beneficial bioactivities. Common sources are milk, eggs, meat, fish and plants.
For specialized hormonal balancing, the experts at Vitality Hormone Center provide personalized care and peptide therapy to help patients optimize health, wellness and performance goals. Contact us today for a consultation!
Peptide supplements are growing in popularity due to newly discovered health and anti-aging benefits as well as high bioavailability. Our bodies produce many peptides naturally, but supplementation can restore optimal levels as we age.
Some top peptide supplements include:
- Collagen peptides - Improve skin elasticity, joint health and bone density
- Glutathione - Powerful antioxidant that enhances immune function and detoxification
- BPC-157 - Promotes gut health and speeds injury healing
- Thymosin alpha-1 - Modulates immune function and shown to help fight certain cancers
- Sermorelin - Stimulates natural hGH production to counteract somatopause
Ask us about specialized anti-aging peptide regimens to help you feel and perform your best at any age! Vitality Hormone Center provides fully personalized programs based on your unique health goals and needs.
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of what peptides are and their many critical functions in human health, aging, and performance. Let me know if you have any other questions!