Peptides are defined as molecules that consist of between 2 and 50 amino acids, whereas proteins are made up of 50 or more amino acids. Bioactive peptides have become extremely popular in the antiaging industry, as they can aid in weight loss, improvement in aging skin, improvement in muscle to fat mass ratio, improvement in immune function, and improvement in overall sense of well-being. Below is a list of some of the peptides that we offer in our practice:

Weight loss

• Semaglutide; initially approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, more recently, a higher dose of semaglutide has been approved for weight management in adults who are overweight or have obesity and have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
  
  Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps to regulate appetite and food intake. In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide for weight loss achieved an average weight loss of around 15% of their initial body weight over a period of 68 weeks. However, individual results may vary, and some people may lose more or less weight than this amount.
  
  It's important to note that weight loss with semaglutide is not immediate, and it may take several weeks to see noticeable results.
  
  Dosing of semaglutide subcutaneous injection for weight loss:
  Weeks 1 through 4: 0.25 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 5 through 8: 0.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 9 through 12: 1 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 13 through 16: 1.7 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Maintenance Dose:
  Week 17 and onward: 2.4 mg subcutaneously once a week
  
• Tirzepatide; like semaglutide, tirzepatide also works by mimicking the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which helps to regulate appetite and food intake. Tirzepatide is currently approved for the treatment of diabetes, and is being used off-label for those who are overweight or obese.
  
  Although tirzepatide was shown to be more effective in causing weight loss than semaglutide (individuals lost 22.5% of their body weight or 52 lbs on average), a relatively low dose of semaglutide was studied in this trial (1 mg weekly), compared to the maximum dose with tirzepatide.
  
  Dosing of tirzepatide subcutaneous injection for weight loss:
  Weeks 1 through 4: 2.5 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 5 through 8: 5 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 9 through 12: 10 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Weeks 13 through 16: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week
  Maintenance Dose:
  Week 17 and onward: 15 mg subcutaneously once a week

Inflammation

• BPC157; Body Protection Compound-157, is a synthetic peptide made up of 15 amino acids. It was initially isolated from human gastric juice and is now produced in a laboratory as well.
  
  Potential benefits:
  1. Accelerated healing: BPC-157 has been shown to accelerate the healing of various tissues, including tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones. It may help to reduce inflammation and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels, which can promote faster healing.
  2. Anti-inflammatory effects: BPC-157 may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help to reduce pain and swelling in the body.
  3. Protection of the digestive system: BPC-157 has been studied for its potential to protect the digestive system from damage caused by factors such as alcohol, stress, and NSAID use. It may help to promote the healing of ulcers and prevent further damage to the gut lining.
  4. Joint health: BPC-157 may have beneficial effects on joint health, such as reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new cartilage.
  5. Anxiety and depression: Some studies have suggested that BPC-157 may have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, possibly by influencing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
  Dosing: the typical BPC-157 dosage for subcutaneous injection is 200 to 300 micrograms (mcg) per day, in a single daily injection, taken consistently each day for up to 4 weeks. Individuals have injected up to 800 mcg, typically divided into 2 doses in the day, without side effects. If continued dosing is desired after 4 weeks, it is commonly recommended that the individual take at least a 2-week break.

Immune Function

• Thymosin Alpha-1; a peptide naturally occurring in the thymus that has long been recognized for modifying, enhancing, and restoring immune function. Thymosin alpha-1 has been utilized in the treatment of immunocompromised states and malignancies, as an enhancer of vaccine response, and as a means of curbing morbidity and mortality in sepsis and numerous infections. Studies have postulated that thymosin alpha 1 could help improve the outcome in severely ill Covid-19 patients by repairing damage caused by overactivation of lymphocytic immunity and prevent the excessive activation of T cells.
  
  Some examples of human studies that have been conducted with Thymosin alpha-1:
  1. A study published in the journal Vaccine in 2004 evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a T?1-based influenza vaccine in healthy volunteers. The results suggested that the vaccine was safe and well-tolerated, and it induced a strong immune response against the influenza virus.
  2. A randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2011 evaluated the efficacy of T?1 in combination with chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that the combination therapy was associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone.
  3. A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology in 2012 investigated the effects of T?1 on immune function in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The results suggested that T?1 treatment improved immune function and reduced inflammation in these patients.
  4. A randomized controlled trial published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy in 2013 evaluated the efficacy of T?1 in combination with allergen-specific immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis. The study found that the combination therapy was associated with greater improvement in symptoms and reduced need for rescue medication compared to immunotherapy alone.
  Dosing of Thymosin alpha-1: 1.6 mg subcutaneously 2 times per week.
  
• Thymalin; a polypeptide that consists of 28 amino acids and is derived from the thymus gland. It has been studied for its potential immunomodulatory effects, and some studies suggest that it may help to stimulate the production of immune cells and enhance immune function. Thymalin has also been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to promote tissue repair. Thymalin was approved as an immunomodulator by the USSR Ministry of Health in 1982.
  
  For further reading on human studies with Thymalin, a Powerpoint Presentation is available upon request.
  
  Dosing: 10 mg daily for 10 days; may repeat every 6 months.

Aging

• Epitalon; a synthetic peptide, which was identified as the active component of a bovine pineal gland extract. Epitalon has been studied for its potential anti-aging effects and some studies suggest that epitalon may help to increase the length of telomeres, which are the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten as we age. Human studies:
  1. Epitalon decreased the level of LDL and VLDL lipoproteins and increased HDL in patients with NIDDM. In these same patients with hypertension, epitalon, decreased BP and improved myocardial contraction.
  2. Administration of epitalon in patients with asthenia syndrome (fatigue/lack of energy) revealed nearly complete elimination of their symptoms.
  3. Administration of epitalon in elderly individuals promoted the complete normalization of antioxidant indices.
  4. Epitalon has been studied in cancer patients, mostly with hormone dependent cancers, such as breast, uterine, and ovarian. Results showed improved cellular immunity and significantly decreased the incidence of recurrences and metastasis as compared to the control.
  For further reading on human studies with Epitalon, a Powerpoint Presentation is available upon request.

Energy

• MOTS-C; MOTS-c (Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c) is a mitochondria-derived peptide that has been studied for its potential health benefits, particularly in relation to aging and metabolic health. Mitochondrial function deteriorates as we age and MOTS-c levels in 70-81-year-olds drop by nearly 21% compared to 18-30-year-old individuals. Some of the potential benefits of MOTS-c include:
  1. Improved insulin sensitivity: Studies suggest that MOTS-c may help to improve insulin sensitivity, which is important for the regulation of blood sugar levels and metabolic health.
  2. Increased energy expenditure: Some research suggests that MOTS-c may help to increase energy expenditure, which may have implications for weight loss and metabolic health.
  3. Improved cardiovascular health: MOTS-c has been shown to have potential cardioprotective effects, including the ability to improve mitochondrial function and reduce oxidative stress.
  4. Improved physical performance: MOTS-c has been shown to have potential benefits for physical performance, including the ability to increase muscle strength and endurance.
  5. Potential anti-aging effects: Some studies suggest that MOTS-c may have potential anti-aging effects, including the ability to promote mitochondrial biogenesis and reduce oxidative stress.
  Dosing: 10 mg subcutaneously weekly x 4 weeks; take a 3 week break and repeat as needed.

Lean body Mass

• Ipamorelin/CJC1295; ipamorelin is a synthetic peptide that acts as a growth hormone secretagogue, meaning it stimulates the secretion of growth hormone in the body.
  Human studies with ipamorelin:
  1. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers investigated the effects of ipamorelin on growth hormone secretion in healthy elderly individuals. They found that ipamorelin increased growth hormone secretion without affecting insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels, suggesting that it may be a useful therapy for age-related decline in growth hormone secretion.
  2. Another study published in the same journal examined the effects of ipamorelin on growth hormone secretion and body composition in obese men. The researchers found that ipamorelin increased growth hormone secretion and led to significant reductions in body fat, suggesting that it may be a useful therapy for obesity and related conditions.
  3. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation investigated the effects of ipamorelin on glucose metabolism in healthy individuals. The researchers found that ipamorelin increased insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance, suggesting that it may be a useful therapy for diabetes and related conditions.
  CJC-1295 is a synthetic peptide that is similar in structure to growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It works by increasing the production and release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland in the brain. Some potential benefits of CJC-1295 include increased muscle mass and strength, improved recovery from exercise, and reduced body fat.
  
  Human studies with CJC-1295:
  1. Researchers investigated the effects of CJC-1295 on growth hormone secretion in healthy adults. They found that CJC-1295 increased growth hormone secretion and had a sustained effect over several weeks.
  2. Another study published in the same journal examined the effects of CJC-1295 on body composition and metabolism in obese adults. The researchers found that CJC-1295 reduced body fat and improved insulin sensitivity, suggesting that it may be a useful therapy for obesity and related conditions.
  3. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation investigated the effects of CJC-1295 on muscle mass and strength in older adults. The researchers found that CJC-1295 increased muscle mass and strength, suggesting that it may be a useful therapy for age-related decline in muscle function.
  The combination of ipamorelin with CJC1295 may have a synergistic effect on increasing growth hormone levels in the body.
  
  Some studies suggest that combining ipamorelin with CJC-1295 may enhance the beneficial effects of each peptide individually. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that combining ipamorelin with CJC-1295 increased growth hormone levels more than either peptide alone in healthy adults.
  
  Another study published in the journal Endocrine Practice investigated the effects of combining ipamorelin with CJC-1295 in adults with growth hormone deficiency. The researchers found that the combination therapy led to improvements in body composition, including reductions in body fat and increases in lean body mass.
  
  Dosing: 300 mcg at bedtime, 5 nights per week

Cognitive Enhancement

• RG3; a compound found in Panax ginseng, a type of herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. RG3 nasal spray is a formulation of this compound that is being investigated for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that RG3 may help to improve cognitive function and memory, as well as protect against neurodegeneration.
  
  Human studies with RG3:
  1. In a 2012 study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, researchers gave RG3 to healthy middle-aged adults and found that it improved their cognitive function, specifically in the areas of attention and working memory.
  2. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Ginseng Research found that RG3 improved cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also noted that RG3 had a protective effect on brain cells.
  3. In a 2015 study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers gave RG3 to healthy young adults and found that it improved their exercise performance and reduced muscle damage.
  4. A 2016 study published in the journal Oncotarget found that RG3 had anticancer effects in human breast cancer cells.

RG3 Dosing: doses have ranged from 10 - 200 mg per day. With RG3 nasal spray, typically 2 sprays in each nostril is administered daily, with each spray being 10 mg.