Peptides are small chains of less than 50 amino acids. Although small in size, they are powerful tools in many new treatment therapies. They are also a premier ingredient in many anti-aging products. Despite their wide acceptance, many people are not familiar with peptides and how they are being used.
Understanding What Peptides Can (and Can’t) Do
Some peptides influence hormone production within the human body. Many of them stimulate the human growth hormone.
Peptides seek and bind to specific cellular structures, so they are ideal for targeted therapies and improving the delivery of drugs and other treatments.
Natural peptides are somewhat unstable and very short-lived. Artificially engineered peptides compounds resolve this issue.
Current Uses for Peptides
Anti-aging treatments have been incorporating cosmeceutical peptides into topical applications for many years. Many simply penetrate the first layer of skin, while others are able to go deeper or start chain reactions. Some have shown capable of offering protection from UV damage and certain forms of skin cancers.
Oncologists use three main groups of peptides in diagnosing and treating cancer. Some mimic natural proteins and peptides, others allow drugs to target cancer cells, and the third type helps improve the delivery of drugs.
The growing epidemic of obesity and its related health conditions has given rise to the use of peptides to impact metabolism.
Treatments in the Pipeline
There are many new advances in peptide therapy and researchers, like Ryan Smith Lexington KY are constantly working to develop new treatments and delivery strategies for them.
While most current therapies focus on cosmetic applications, metabolic disorders, or the treatment of cancers, peptides show promise in treating novel and rare diseases.
For many researchers, the next frontier in peptide therapy lies in being able to harness the benefits of these compounds without needing injections. Pills, liquids, nasal sprays, and transdermal delivery methods are all being studied as options.
Despite their widespread use, many people remain unaware of the benefits peptides can offer. They are widely used to treat common disorders, stimulate recovery and promote younger-looking skin. New avenues for delivery offer the promise of making peptide therapies more accessible for a greater number of people.