The Role of Peptides in Anti-Aging and Age-Related Health Conditions
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as chemical messengers and have the ability to go into cells. Once inside the cell, they repair tissues at their cellular level. This ability to direct the body to heal itself is what gives peptides the ability to provide anti-aging benefits. Peptides are on the list of important proteins that the body starts to produce less of after the age of thirty. As supplements, they may have anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-building benefits. Many people confuse peptides with proteins because they are both found naturally in food and both are made up of amino acids; however, peptides have fewer amino acids than proteins which makes peptides easier for the body to absorb since they are smaller and more easily broken down than proteins. Their smaller size makes peptides able to easily penetrate the skin and the intestines which then allows them to easily enter the bloodstream. Bioactive peptides are those peptides that are beneficial to the body and that may positively effect human health and aging. Different bioactive peptides have different properties and their effects on the body depend on their sequences of amino acids. The most common bioactive peptide supplements available are collagen peptides and creatine peptides.
What do bioactive peptides do?
Scientists and research seem to say that bioactive peptides have the ability to:
- Lower high blood pressure
- Kill microbes-a microorganism, especially a bacterium, causing disease or fermentation
- Reduce inflammation
- Prevent the formation of blood clots
- Improve immune function
- Act as antioxidant
- Benefit skin health
- Reverse the effects of aging
- Build strength and muscle mass
What are collagen peptides and how do they help with the aging process?
Collagen peptides are believed to benefit skin health and reverse the effects of aging. Peptides occur naturally in the skin and are necessary for collagen production. Collagen, the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, is actually made up of three peptide chains called polypeptides. Collagen molecules are too large for the skin to absorb but peptides are not. Peptides that are applied to the skin are easily absorbed past the skin’s outer layer and then are available for the body to use to boost collagen and elastin production. Peptides help with hydrating, firming, and tightening the skin. They also help diminish redness, ease inflammation, and reduce the look of pores. The final result is plumper looking skin which diminishes the look of wrinkles. Using products with peptides improves cell turnover and improves tissue repair which then helps lessen the effects of aging. Peptides also stimulate the skin’s production of melanin which may improve the skin’s production against sun damage and potential skin cancer. Some research and studies are showing that a moderate intake of collagen peptides increases bone mass when used with aerobic exercise. While more study is needed, researchers are hoping to prove that collagen peptides can be used to counteract bone-related diseases.
What are creatine peptides and how do they help with the aging process?
Creatine is an amino acid that is stored mostly in the body’s muscles and in the brain. While creatine powders have been used by fitness enthusiasts for a long time, creatine peptides are becoming more and more popular because they are easier for the body to digest. Creatine peptides are believed to improve strength and build muscle mass. Creatine peptides help boost the release of hormones known to stimulate muscle growth, increase body fat loss, increase exercise performance, and lessen recovery time. Creatine helps the body replenish its supply of adenosine triphosphate or ATP. ATP is a molecule that stores energy, fuels the cells, and provides energy to muscles. Research show that taking creatine peptides may help with healthy ageing as they may help keep your bones and muscles at their best as the body ages. Creatine also increases phosphocreatine stores in the brain which can promote brain health and which may improve certain neurological diseases. Peptides can engage with and activate various receptors throughout the body. This promotes the release of hormones and other messaging compounds that influence health, body composition, and exercise performance and recovery. Growth hormone secretagogues or GHS are a group of peptides that stimulate the production and release of human growth hormone or HGH. Human growth hormone is a peptide hormone that is made by the pituitary gland. It promotes growth in children but it also is responsible for stimulating growth and renewal of all the tissues of the body. Since the pituitary makes less of this hormone as we age, many feel that some sort of supplementation helps counter the normal effects of aging.
What are antimicrobial peptides?
Research into microbial peptides indicates they may help improve wound healing. Also, research seems to indicate that having very high or very low levels of certain antimicrobial peptides may contribute to certain skin disorders, such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
How can Androgenix help?
If you want to live your best life, the medical practitioners at Androgenix are here to help. If you have any questions about peptides and the aging process, please contact us with your questions. If you are concerned about the impact of aging on your body or have any other concerns about any areas of your health, please contact our office and make an appointment with our staff to get a complete blood work-up and a physical examination. Our staff of caring healthcare practitioners are here to answer your questions and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. You will be monitored by our team for treatment effectiveness and side effects of any recommended treatment on a regular basis. Our team at Androgenix is always here to support your journey to a better, healthier, and happier you.
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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.
