What is a Peptide?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are composed of 2 to 50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Some key features of peptides:
- Peptides are shorter than proteins, which contain over 50 amino acids.
- Peptides play many critical roles in the body such as cell signaling, immune function, and hormone action.
- Many peptides derived from food act as bioactive compounds that provide health benefits.
What do peptides do?
Peptides have a wide range of functions and properties. Here are some of the key roles peptides play:
- Hormones like insulin, oxytocin, and adrenaline are peptides that help regulate metabolism, behavior, and stress responses.
- Neurotransmitters like endorphins are peptide hormones that relay signals between neurons.
- Enzymes are peptides that catalyze chemical reactions in the body.
- Immune peptides like defensins kill bacteria and help modulate immunity.
- Antimicrobial peptides protect us from infection.
- Bioactive peptides from foods like whey protein provide antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory activity.
Where are peptides found?
Peptides are widespread in nature and found in many foods:
- Peptides are present in all proteins from both plants and animals. Digestive enzymes break proteins down into peptides.
- Dairy products like cheese and yogurt contain peptides released during fermentation.
- Meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and soy also contain bioactive peptides.
- Peptides can be created through enzymatic hydrolysis of protein sources.
What are the benefits of peptide supplements?
Due to their diverse bioactivities, peptide supplements offer many potential benefits:
- Collagen peptides promote skin, hair, nail, and joint health.
- Carnosine and glutathione provide antioxidant activity.
- Argireline helps reduce wrinkles.
- Thymosin alpha-1 may enhance immune function.
The doctors at Rejuvenate Health Center specialize in customized peptide therapies to help patients address hormone deficiencies, aging, and immune health. We provide medically supervised peptide treatments to promote wellness from the inside out.
In summary, peptides are short amino acid chains that serve many critical biological roles. As signaling molecules, enzymes, hormones, antimicrobials and more, they help regulate immunity, metabolism, growth, behavior, and more. Peptide supplements may provide targeted health and anti-aging benefits. Consider speaking to a functional medicine specialist like those at Rejuvenate Health Center to learn more about how peptide therapy could help you achieve optimal wellness.