Goodness, gracious! Peptides are quite the hot topic these days.
With that trend of buzz acknowledged, I add my “gut sense” and experiences for our peptide messengers.
But first, who first coined this now popular word – peptide?
So history tells us that a German scientist, by the name of Fischer, originated the word peptide in 1906, when he was chemically breaking down protein chains. He leveraged the Greek word peptos, which means “cooked or digested.” Fascinating, as we most often think of building up amino acids into proteins, rather than breaking their nitrogen bonds down.
Messengers?
Peptides are “short” chains of amino acids, which are our building blocks for protein. When multiple peptides link together in complex bonded structures, they form proteins. As two is the smallest example of “multiple”, here is a drawing of an important Di-Peptide which has the molecular formula C9H14N4O3. This Di-peptide links 2 amino acids, Histidine and Beta-alanine into a chemical compound named Carnosine. Is Carnosine important? You betcha, as it “It “has a role as a geroprotector, an antioxidant, an antineoplastic agent, an anticonvulsant, a neuroprotective agent.”
Right, this small organic compound bonds 4 of the top 6 chemicals found in our amazing bodies, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen.
Let’s move up the polypeptide hierarchy to a critical tripeptide called Glutathione, comprising 3 amino acids that are interestingly non-essential (glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine). Glutathione, sometime called GSH, is our natural master antioxidant. Those of us concerned about anti-inflammatory, natural processes should learn more about Glutathione or GSH.
Form and Function?
Natural peptide messengers act as biological signals for many bodily functions. They bind to specific receptors on the surface of cells and deliver chemical messages that tell a body to release a hormone, reduce inflammation, or repair torn muscle tissue after exercise or injury.
Common Peptides in our Fitness and Wellness Space
Four (4) categories of Chemical messengers are listed in this summary table. The first and fourth Peptides are likely the best known. Numbers 2 and 3 are known as “grey market” performance enhancement ergogenics.
| Peptide Name | Primary Function | Common Wellness Application | Clinical / Legal Status |
| Collagen | Provides structural building blocks for connective tissue. | Joint health, skin elasticity, hair/nail growth. | Widely available over-the-counter dietary supplement. |
| BPC-157 | Promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation). | Accelerated healing of tendons, ligaments, and gut health. | Largely experimental; often sold as a “research chemical.” |
| Ipamorelin / CJC-1295 | Growth hormone (stimulates natural GH release). | Muscle preservation, fat loss, improved sleep, anti-aging. | Available via prescription from anti-aging or wellness clinics. |
| GLP-1 Agonists (e.g., Semaglutide) | Mimics the hormone that targets areas of the brain regulating appetite. | Well known weight loss and blood sugar management. | FDA-approved for diabetes and weight loss; requires prescription. |
Natural Peptide Production
As you know, my stance is that natural is best for getting nutrients into bodily production for messaging.
- Protein Intake: Consume complete proteins (meat, dairy, eggs) to provide the amino acid building blocks the body needs to synthesize its own peptides.
- Fasting and Sleep: Intermittent fasting and deep, restorative sleep elevate the body’s endogenous growth hormone (hGH) levels, releasing peptides. (Yes, these natural GHs decline as we age. Hence, we know of the illicit use of synthetic hGH to build muscle mass, and lose white fat.)
- High-Intensity Exercise: Vigorous exercise to sweat will induce micro-tears in skeletal and coronary muscle. These micro-tears, as mini-inflammations, trigger the release of polypeptide messengers, called cytokines, for our repair and rebuilding functions.
- Yes, COVID-19 involves cytokine [polypeptide] storms that could overwhelm our bodies. Yet, don’t shoot the messengers. We need these messengers at proper levels to build muscle, without storm watches.
Dietary Supplements vs. Injectables
- Oral Supplements: Collagen polypeptides, taken by mouth, are broken down by stomach acid into individual amino acids before being absorbed. They act as raw materials rather than direct messengers.
- Injectables and Sublinguals: Synthetic messenger polypeptides (like GLP-1 agonists, BPC-157 or Ipamorelin- CJC-1295 shown in the table above) are fragile. So they are administered via subcutaneous injection to bypass the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream directly, to ensure that the “message” function remains intact.
Clinical Considerations and Safety
Important! Always consult a healthcare provider before experimenting with synthetic peptides, or for self-dsing oral over the counter peptides.
- As many “supplemental” peptides are not FDA-approved for standard medical use, they are often sold online under the label “for research purposes only.” Please beware of contamination risks, inaccurate dosing, and lack of oversight in this grey market.
- Although they mimic natural human compounds, side effects of polypeptide supplements can occur, like water retention, increased hunger, injection site reactions, and fluctuations in blood sugar.
- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) bans many polypeptides, particularly human growth hormone (hGH). I bet you can name the country where most grey market synthetic peptides are produced… That country starts with the letter C and ends with the letter a.
Moi?
I take OTC Collagen peptides, with full awareness that [possible ?!] benefits may only accrue from long-term ingestion. My rationale? First, I am 73 in calendar years. So, the nature of this largest organ (skin) in this aging body isn’t what it used to be. My nails, epidermis, muscles and joints need collagen. And, collagen is the framework of our essential Fascia, where collagen is normally produced. Yet, we don’t produce as much as we did in our formative and early adulthood years. Therein lies a possible problem!
Second, as my animal-sourced collagen is third-party-tested, 5-10 grams mixed in my daily morning coffee doesn’t generate any side effects. Are there cheaper ways to get and ingest quality animal protein? Sure – natural whole foods that contain Types I, II, and III collagen are better and probably cheaper sources.
As quality and quantity of animal protein is often hard for busy American adults to optimize, I see little harm in taking convenient collagen peptides as a bit of protein insurance for me.
=> If you do want to try collagen peptides, please become a student of your endeavor, and research the “best” rated, though non-FDA-regulated, products. These peer market reviews should help you make good enough product choices to try.
So, yes. I take collagen peptides as a laboratory rat to share my one-off subjective results with clients, without giving them dietary advice.
I am monitoring the buzz and clinical results of the other 3 types of Polypeptides shown in my table above. You know that I’m not a fan of synthetic boosters for athletic performance.
- I am a cautious fan of GLP-1 agonists if the prescribed mission is life-saving and when hormone control when fat gain is not the individual’s fault.
- Athletic micro-dosing is not an act that I support, as a fyi.
Thanks for considering my “Messenger” message.
Stay well past forty, and be strong to save!
Koach Dave
ps – please join our #strongtosave mailing list.
DF