Peptide Therapy
Peptide therapy may be used to increase the output of growth hormone and to directly stimulate repair and regeneration of tissue including muscle, tendon, ligament, gut and nerves. Peptides can be also used for weight loss, appetite suppression, increasing libido and for various mood disorders. They can also be used to modulate the immune system.
A peptide is a small protein and over 7,000 naturally-occurring peptides have been identified that occur in our bodies. Peptides typically act as signaling molecules by binding to receptors on the cell surface and telling other cells and molecules what to do. Insulin is a familiar example of a peptide.
Peptide therapy is highly specific and also well-tolerated and safe. As of January 2015, there were over 60 US FDA-approved peptide medications, 140 peptide drugs being evaluated in clinical trials, and 500 in pre-clinical development. Most of these peptide drugs are administered via injection, but can also come in the form of topical creams, nasal sprays, and oral tablets.
As such, peptides are useful in treating age-related conditions such as obesity, osteoporosis, loss of muscle mass and various inflammatory conditions including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases.
Growth hormone stimulating peptides are some of the most popular peptide therapies, and are called growth hormone secretogogues.
Resources
Therapeutic peptides: current applications and future directions