A woman smiling at the camera with a black and white dog at her side.

The dramatic impact of peptides.

"The body has an amazing ability to heal when you provide it with the key ingredients it needs," according to Dr. Mitchell Fleischer, specialist in regenerative medicine. "That is why the FDA has approved more than 100 peptides.  Their results can be dramatic."

I agree, I am an enthusiastic fan of peptides. They have greatly enhanced my skin and overall health and made me feel more vibrant and alive.  They even helped Bailey, my beautiful 13-year-old Australian Shepherd. For these reasons, I am excited to share my experience with three of my favorite peptides.

What Are Peptides?

Peptides are the mini-proteins, the short chains of amino acids typically comprising 2-50 amino acids that help regulate cell division and gene expression. They’re also a big part of our repair kit for every tissue and organ in our body. For example, they’re essential for healing, bone and muscle regeneration, sleep regulation, and weight loss.

The human body naturally produces more than 7,000 known peptide types which are used in a wide variety of the body’s systems. Their biological role as molecules is to signal to other cells in the body how to function and metabolize.

We absorb peptides from meats, fish, and plant-based proteins in our diets. As we age, our bodies’ peptide stockpile diminishes which can lead to a loss of function and a weakened immune system.  (Tony Robbins, Life Force)

While peptides are natural, they can also be produced artificially outside the body for healing and repair. Unlike chemical drugs, peptides preserve the body’s natural feedback loops and restore our natural balanced state. According to Dr. Suzanne Turner, a specialist in cellular medicine and longevity, “I don’t know who doesn’t benefit from peptides. I use them in my super healthy patients to keep them well or prevent osteoarthritis, as well as with my patients right out of surgery or suffering from dementia, heart disease, and cancer.”

Dr. Turner introduced me to the world of peptides three years ago and I am definitely now living in a “more restored” state of health. Here are highlights of my experience with three of those Peptides. 

Peptide BPC-157 

I have suffered from pain in my left shoulder for years due to a fall. I have been in and out of physical therapy and had steroid injections, and I have managed my pain but was challenged to play tennis and work out to the desired level. When I added injections of the regenerative peptide BPC-157, I started making real progress.

BPC-157, Body Protection Compound, was discovered in and isolated from human gastric juice. It works by triggering the formation of new blood vessels, a process that is called angiogenesis. It also increases growth hormone receptors. It has been shown to accelerate the healing of wounds including tendons, ligaments, muscles, nervous system, and other organs. This peptide is also shown to decrease pain in damaged areas. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

After regular injections in my shoulder, I not only felt relief from pain, I felt actual healing. I am back on the tennis court with a stronger backhand, and time on my reformer is fun again. I was even more excited to learn that BPC-157 could help arthritic pain in dogs. 

Bailey, my 13-year-old fence-jumping, frisbee-playing Aussie, was struggling. She not only struggled running to catch her frisbee but also labored on a short walk due to arthritis pain in her right shoulder.

My husband ordered BPC-157 from a recommended compounding pharmacy and immediately began injecting Bailey’s right shoulder. After two weeks, we noticed she was walking stronger and not favoring her right shoulder as much on walks. After six weeks, she had a new bounce in her step and went from a slow walk to a nice jog and could go on much longer walks again. The smile on her face meant the world to us.

Peptide Tesamorelin

In my younger years, I was a slow but consistent runner, lifted weights, played tennis, and considered physical fitness a key to my overall good health. When I turned 60, I found recovery from strenuous workouts was long, and no matter how much I worked the abs, I wasn’t getting the results I needed. When I turned 64, Dr. Turner introduced me to Tesamorelin to help with my challenges. Tesamorelin stimulates the synthesis and release of Growth Hormone from the pituitary. It has been proven to improve muscle mass, mobilize stored body fat for fuel, aid recovery from exercise, and strengthen bones. I was eager to give it a try.

I had never injected anything into my body at that time, but I was eager for help. After 30 days of injecting Tesamorelin five days a week, I felt a change. I felt stronger during my workouts and could push harder with results. In addition, I noticed the extra “fluff,” I call it, around my waist was diminishing. Dr. Turner carefully monitored my blood work and my body composition. After two years of using this peptide, I feel ten years younger. I have lost 9.4 lbs. of body fat, gained 9.2 lbs. of muscle mass, and can now bench press 135 pounds!!! Not bad for 66. Also, very important to me, I have added a half-pound of bone mass.

Peptide GHK-Cu  

It will not surprise you that GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) is my favorite. It is the primary ingredient in Restoracell Skin Care, a company my husband and I started after seeing the results of using a GHK-Cu foam prescribed to the compounding pharmacy. While GHK-Cu can be injected, topical use of this beautiful blue peptide has given me brighter, smoother, healthier skin and confidence that I am looking my best regardless of my age. My husband, Terry, has also experienced a tightening of what he terms “his turkey neck” and diminishing the lines around his eyes. Also, a bonus is a thickening of his hair after applying the serum to his scalp after shampoo.  

Restoracell has worked for us, and it has worked for others. (Check out our reviews.) Peptides like GHK-Cu can penetrate the outer layer of the skin, so instead of sitting on top of the skin like many products, they sink in more deeply. So you can think of them as messengers for the other cells. They send signals telling the cells to produce collagen and elastin. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/)

You must partner with Peptides.

According to Dr. Turner, “Peptides are not the panacea. They work in conjunction with everything in your lifestyle. They turn on the more youthful expression of your DNA.”

While I believe that peptides can have miraculous results, you need to partner with them. For example, my skin did not get better without consistent use of the serum, moisturizer, and eye cream. I faithfully have used them morning and night. And, I take time to exfoliate the dead skin cells, making way for the healthy new skin.

I never thought I would say this but Injecting Tesamorelin five days a week is the easy part. That needle does not guarantee enhanced muscles. I have to hit the gym and my reformer regularly, taking advantage of the extra power I feel to push harder. And, I have to ensure my nutrition supports the work, or I will lose muscle, not build.

Even Bailey has done her part after her morning injection of peptide BPC-157. She does her mile sometimes more, enjoying keeping up with our younger Aussie.

How to get started with Peptides

If you are seeking the benefits of skin regeneration, hydrating and pro-aging, remember that peptides need to be absorbed through the skin to be effective so topical use is preferred. If you are a Restoracell user, you are on your way to benefiting from peptides for your skin.

If you want to go further in your journey with peptides, you will need someone experienced in supervising their use. The International Peptide Society can refer you to a certified medical practitioner if you need one. A good compounding pharmacy should be able to do the same. You can also contact the American Board of Anti-Aging / Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM) to locate a provider.

Of course the easiest way to start or sustain your experience with peptides is to take advantage of our Summer Sale which kicked off today!  Use the code SUMMER at checkout and save 25% sitewide.

SHOP NOW
Back to blog