Peptides are so numerous and variable in structure, so their effects are likewise varied and wide-ranging. Insulin for example is a peptide so it treats diabetes, and saves lives.

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.

Another type of peptide drug is for skin rejuvenation and wrinkles reduction like CHK,cu. Some peptides help with the immune system and help fight Covid-19. Some peptides are responsible for fat cell death, and has been shown to be very effective as an anti-obesity drug. In addition to decreasing inflammation, these peptides lead to increased lean muscle mass and decreased body fat.

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 sun tan. This peptide has also been shown to increase lean muscle mass and improve sex drive.

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 with CFS, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Lyme disease, and fibromyalgia, among other conditions.

Thymosin alpha-1 (T α 1) is a peptide, or small protein, consisting of 28 amino acids. T α 1 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 T α 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. It may help with Covid-19 prevention.

T α 1 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.

Specifically, T α 1 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.

T α 1 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 T α 1 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 T α 1 has the potential for great therapeutic benefit for patients suffering from infection or autoimmune disease.

In addition to its use in the treatment of Hepatitis, AIDS, and cancer, T α 1 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.

T α 1 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 better quality of life throughout treatment.

The T α 1 peptide can be administered via subcutaneous injection or as a transdermal cream. T α 1 has been found to be very safe, and there have not been any documented side effects associated with its administration. It is approved in more than 37 countries for the treatment of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and as an adjunct to chemotherapy and various vaccines.

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. In fact, recent studies have revealed that the first gene to be upregulated after an injury is the Tβ4 gene. As the body begins the recovery process, Tβ4 aids in the creation of new vessels in the injured area, which carry blood, nutrients, and reparative substances to the site. Tβ4 also has anti-inflammatory properties, and works to decrease the amount 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.

The discovery of the role of Tβ4 in the process of immune regulation has lead 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 clinic 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 valuable drug.

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. GHSs include: Tesamorelin. CJC 1295, GHRP 2, GHRP 6, Hexarelin, and Ipamorelin.

Tesamorelin

It is used in HIV positive patients to help fight fat deposits in belly, and have a leaner physique. It is sold as FDA approved drug named Egrifta.

CJC 1295

This particular peptide offers therapeutic benefits similar to those of hGH. CJC 1295 is a growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. In other words, it is a molecule that serves the same purpose as does GHRH—the hormone that stimulates the anterior pituitary to release hGH. However, unlike GHRH, which has a half-life of only minutes after IV administration, CJC 1295 is able to remain active in the body for extended periods due to its ability to bind to a protein in the blood known as albumin and avoid degradation by various enzymes. CJC 1295 increases an important growth factor, IGF-1, in addition to hGH, leading to fat loss, lean muscle growth, and enhanced sleep.

GHRP 2

Growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) 2 is a type of peptide therapeutic that mimics the effects of ghrelin, the “hunger hormone”. Ghrelin is a hormone that helps regulate appetite as well as energy distribution and rate of use, or metabolism. In the 1980’s, ghrelin was discovered to be the body’s natural ligand (or binding molecule) of the GHRP receptor in the anterior pituitary. This was a significant discovery, as it highlighted the role of ghrelin in hGH secretion and growth regulation. Modern biotechnology has used this knowledge to develop peptides that can be administered to mimic ghrelin’s hGH stimulation, but in a more targeted fashion. GHRP 2 is one such peptide, stimulating hGH secretion by 7-15 times, increasing appetite and meal initiation, while also decreasing fat mass and cholesterol. GHRP 2 is ideal for patients who are hypercatabolic, due to critical illness, cancer, AIDS, etc. It should be noted that GHRP 2 can also increase levels of prolactin, aldosterone, and cortisol.

GHRP 6

Similar to GHRP 2, this peptide is a more potent releaser of growth hormone, also acting on the ghrelin receptors of the anterior pituitary. Also like GHRP 2, GHRP 6 leads to increased growth hormone production, increased lead body mass, and decreased adiposity. Due to the peptide’s ghrelin-like properties, administration can lead to increased appetite.

Hexarelin

Hexarelin is a peptide that is derived from GHRP 6, but has been optimized to enhance its metabolic stability. Like the other GHSs, hexarelin increases HGH production, resulting in increased muscle mass, bone density, skin elasticity, and decreased body fat. Unlike the other GHRPs, however, hexarelin does not lead to a substantial increase in ghrelin and therefore does not cause the same appetite stimulation. This peptide has been further promoted for its cardioprotective and regenerative action as well. Hexarelin would be an ideal choice for those looking to benefit from increased growth hormone without appetite stimulation.

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.

This peptide is a modified fragment of HGH which contains the portion of the molecule that is believed to be responsible for HGH’s anti-obesity effects. The peptide has been shown to increase fat burning without the increase in blood sugar and growth rate that has been seen with HGH itself. AOD 9604 has been deemed safe for chronic use by the FDA, receiving Human GRAS status in 2014. In addition to its utility as an anti-obesity peptide, AOD 9604 has been shown to have very favorable cartilage repair and regenerative properties, especially when paired with peptide 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 is 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.

Melanotan II is an analogue of 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 substantially 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 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 Viagara. 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.

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 follastatin 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.