Peptide therapy is a type of treatment that uses peptides, which are short chains of amino acids, to promote health and wellness. Peptides occur naturally in the body and play important roles in many biological processes. Synthetic peptides can also be created in a lab.
There are several ways to obtain peptide therapy:
- Work with a health provider specializing in age management medicine or anti-aging medicine. These types of providers may offer peptide treatments as part of their practice. You can search online for providers in your area that advertise peptide therapy services.
- Visit a specialty peptide therapy clinic. Some clinics focus specifically on providing peptide treatments. For example, Vitality Hormone Clinic offers state-of-the-art peptide protocols personalized for each patient at their hormone optimization centers. Their experienced medical staff stays up-to-date on the latest peptide research to ensure patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments.
- Participate in a clinical research trial. Pharmaceutical companies and research institutions sometimes conduct clinical trials to test potential new peptide therapies. You may be able to volunteer as a participant. ClinicalTrials.gov is a database you can search to find peptide therapy trials seeking volunteers.
- Order peptides online to self-administer. There are peptide manufacturing companies that sell certain peptides legally online. However, the quality and purity of these products can vary greatly across vendors. Work closely with your doctor to provide oversight if acquiring peptides online for self-administration.
Before starting peptide therapy, undergo
medical screening and testing to determine if peptide treatment is appropriate for you. Key things the provider will evaluate include:
- Your health history and symptoms
- Baseline hormone blood tests
- Screening bloodwork to check kidney and liver function
- Possible imaging tests if needed
The most common types of peptides used therapeutically are the following:
- Growth hormone-releasing peptides like sermorelin, CJC-1295 stimulate natural growth hormone production. They can help counteract age-related hormonal decline.
- Healing peptides like BPC-157 aid repair of injuries and damage. Athletes use them to recover faster.
- Immune-boosting peptides like LL-37 defend against infections and inflammation.
Administration methods for peptide treatment include:
- Injection - Most peptide therapies involve injecting peptides under the skin with very small needles. This allows maximum absorption and bioavailability. Self-injection at home is commonly taught.
- Oral - A few peptide formulations can be taken orally if specially prepared to survive digestion.
- Topical - Transdermal gels and creams allow some peptide absorption through the skin. This method is limited to certain peptide types.
Dosing frequency and duration varies among the many peptide therapies available. Providers tailor protocols to each patient’s situation. Some general patterns include:
- Most injectable peptides: 2-3 injections per week with cycles of 3-6 months.
- Oral peptides: Daily oral dosage.
- Maintenance dosing: After an initial treatment cycle, providers may recommend periodic booster doses.
Closely follow your peptide therapy provider’s instructions regarding proper dosage, timing, site rotation for injections and cycle length.
Recordkeeping is essential - log details regarding each dose administration. Periodically get follow up
bloodwork to help monitor your response. Schedule regular progress visits with your peptide therapy provider.
