Peptides - Your New Favorite Health Obsession.
By Dr. Hannah Lollar, ND
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids naturally found in the body that act as signaling molecules. As we age, our body becomes less efficient at making these peptides leading to fewer and low quality peptides. At Four Moons Spa, our naturopathic doctors love using this modality for their patients due to their high safety profile and effectiveness. Some of the benefits include increased energy, mental clarity and focus, burning fat and building lean muscle, increased metabolism, healthier skin and hair, reduction in joint pain, improved gut health and many more. Below, our doctors discuss some of their favorite and most popular peptides used in their practice.
BPC-157:
BPC 157, composed of 15 amino acids, and is a partial sequence of body protection compound (BPC) that is discovered in and isolated from the human gastric juice. Experimentally it has been demonstrated to accelerate the healing of many different wounds, including tendon-to-bone healing and superior healing of damaged ligaments. Also, BPC 157 seems to protect organs and to prevent ulcers of the stomach. This peptide is also shown to decrease pain in damaged areas. Those who suffer from discomfort due to muscle sprains, tears and damage may benefit from treatment with this peptide. It can also help aid skin burns to heal at a faster rate and increase blood flow to damaged tissues.
* Tendon healing.
* Decrease pain.
* Increase collagen synthesis.
* Quicker recovery times post-injury.
* Wound and bone healing.
* Decrease inflammation.
* Intestinal issues.
* Protects the heart.
* Reverse opioid tolerance
* Enhance GABA neurotransmission.
GHK-CU:
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex that was first identified in human plasma. Copper peptides are small, naturally occurring protein fragments that have a high affinity for copper ions, which are critical to normal body function. The human peptide GHK (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which, according to our current knowledge, appear to be health positive. It stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, as well as supports the function of dermal fibroblasts. GHK’s ability to improve tissue repair has been demonstrated for skin, lung connective tissue, boney tissue, liver, and stomach lining. Since its discovery in 1973, GHK-Cu established itself as a powerful protective and regenerative ingredient, which is currently widely used in skin and hair products. First, it seems to act as a potent protector of tissue and anti-inflammatory agent that controls the oxidative damage that occurs post-tissue injury. It then plays a significant role in signaling tissue remodeling which removes damaged/scarred tissue and generates new, healthy tissue. However, these positive effects decline with age because the concentration of GHK-Cu in the body decreases with age. Thus, there is an increase in inflammation, cancerous activity, and tissue destruction.
* Tighten loose skin and reverse thinning of aged skin.
* Repair protective skin barrier proteins.
* Improve skin firmness, elasticity, and clarity.
* Reduce fine lines, depth of wrinkles, and improve the structure of aged skin
* Smooth rough skin.
* Reduce photodamage, mottled hyperpigmentation, skin spots, and lesions.
* Improve overall skin appearance.
* Stimulate wound healing.
* Protect skin cells from UV radiation.
* Reduce inflammation and free radical damage.
* Increase hair growth and thickness, enlarge hair follicle size.
CJC-Ipamorelin:
CJC 1295 is a synthetically produced peptide that can increase your plasma growth hormone levels. Initially, CJC 1295 was developed to treat diseases and medical conditions for patients who had muscle disorders, diseases, and burn victims. CJC 1295 has drawn many individuals like athletes from around the globe for its incredible benefits and minimal side effects to enhance their performance on the field and in the gym.
You will recover faster, your body will recuperate more quickly, and you are back on your feet faster. So, you won’t experience as much downtime after a tough workout, letting you get back to your regimen faster. Faster weight loss is achieved. Increase in lean muscle mass, increase in metabolic rate and increase growth hormones, all work together to help you burn more calories, and conversely lose more weight in less time. Your skin, nails, and hair will look better. It can work to help fight the signs of aging, and you are going to look and feel younger. A younger, more jovial appearance is almost instantly realized among users who incorporate Ipamorelin to their workout and diet regimen.
The primary purpose of CJC-1295 is to boost protein synthesis levels and help fuel the growth of muscle tissues in the body. Many benefits will be derived by users who are incorporating CJC-1295 to their regimen; among these are:
* Decrease body fat.
* Improve sleep quality.
* Increase cognitive function.
* Quicker recovery times post-injury.
* Increased muscle mass.
* Increase in strength.
About: Dr. Hannah Lollar, ND received her B.S. in Biology from San Diego State University and her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She has also received advanced training in Cranial Sacral Therapy, Visceral Manipulation, Applied Kinesiology, Regenerative Injection Techniques, Homeopathy, Flower Essences, and Advanced IV Therapy. Areas of interest include women’s health, integrative dermatology, stress management, gastrointestinal disorders, endocrine disorders and anti-aging medicine.