Peptides — the next frontier in cognitive and physical health
Peptides are an exciting new frontier in medicine. They offer a novel therapeutic benefit not available using traditional pharmaceuticals, supplements or even lifestyle changes.
When long-term chronic inflammation sets in it can feel impossible to reverse. Symptoms of brain fog, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, depression persist even when you’ve done everything right!
Even when initial causes of inflammation have been removed, cells continue to behave as if they are still in danger. Dr. Bob Naviaux, MD, MPH of UCSD describes this process and calls it the Cell Danger Response.
Peptides are a potential solution to the Cell Danger Response, stopping runaway inflammation. Share on X
Causes of Cell Danger Response:
- genetic susceptibility
- infections
- mold/mycotoxin exposure
- heavy metal toxicity
- chemical toxicity
- high stress
- physical trauma
- poor nutrients
- sleep deprivation
Peptides are a potential solution to the Cell Danger Response. A peptide is a short chain of amino acids otherwise known as a protein. They work at the level of cell signaling. The actual peptide is injected, swallowed, or inhaled and doesn’t stick around for very long. Most of the peptide is broken down in minutes to hours. The lasting effect comes from changes the peptide stimulates in the communication between cells. Generally, peptides attach at the cell’s membrane and cause a cascade of biochemical events in the cell turning on genes associated with healthy function and turning off genes associated with stress and inflammation.
Breaking this cycle of the Cell Danger Response is what peptides have the potential to do through the changes they stimulate in cell signaling. Peptides change the cellular memory of danger and return to healthy cellular behavior.
Less Risk
My favorite thing about the peptides is that they come with almost no risk. Although they can be more costly than supplements and they are not typically covered by insurance the side effects are minimal and the benefit has the potential to be life changing for the right patients. For some, the side effects like weight loss with Liraglutide and Tesofensine or a healthy tan with Melanotan II are welcome.
Who benefits from Peptides?
- Those with great health foundations
The first thing to know is that peptides work with other therapies. If you are still being exposed to mycotoxins, don’t have a clean diet and aren’t making enough time to get good sleep then peptides probably aren’t for you, yet. It is important to address the foundations for health first.
- Those who have been sick and nothing else has helped – eg: Mold/Lyme/MCS
This can be a sign you are stuck in the cell danger response and need a change in cell signaling to get out of that pattern and return to cells to healthy function. Thymosin A1, BPC-157 and CJC/Ipamorelin, LL-37 can all play a role in balancing the immune response and allowing the system to return to healthy function.
- Following a Concussion
A traumatic brain injury quickly causes oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain. This can reduce blood flow and interfere with the brain tissue’s ability to heal. Depending on your individual situation peptides like RG3, VIP spray, BPC-157 can support cell signaling putting you on a path towards a quick and full recovery.
- Memory decline
Having trained with Dr. Dale Bredesen and with the current bulk of my practice suffering with cognitive decline I have learned well that the causes of cognitive decline can include toxins, stress, nutrient imbalances, genetic predisposition, traumatic brain injury, vascular changes and infections. Depending on which pathway you may be taking towards cognitive decline we can determine the peptides you may most benefit from. Thymosin Alpha-1, LL-37, BPC-157, Cerebrolysin, Selank, Semax, RG3, Tesofensine, Dihexa and FGL are all peptides that may support health neuronal function.
- Gut symptoms including Crohn’s and Colitis
Even with biologic medications there is a 40% failure rate in the treatment of Crohn’s and Colitis. Many of my patients come to me hoping to reduce their biologics and their steroid dose because the side effects are unbearable. Another luxury of using peptides is that you can use them with current medications! Peptides to consider with gut symptoms include BPC-157, Melanotan II, Thymosin B-4 and LL-37.
More about my favorite peptides:
BPC-157 is found in a healthy human’s gastric juices. It has been shown to accelerate wound healing not only in the gut but also in joints by increasing blood flow to the area. It is used in the treatment of leaky gut, IBS, Crohn’s and Colitis plus all the chronic diseases that can be attributed to a leaky or inflamed gut – which is pretty much all of them! It is available in capsules and for subcutaneous injections.
Thymosin Alpha 1 is an immune system modulator. This mean it can help to re-regulate immune function in autoimmune disease, cancer, chronic fatigue, chronic viral infections, mold/mycotoxin illness, and vector borne illness.
Thymosin Beta 4 can help you to regrow damaged tissues and even your hair! It also stimulates production of T cells that are essential to immune function and full recovery from any infection. TB4 stimulates growth and is not used if there is high risk or personal history of cancer.
Selank & Semax are similar peptides in the melanocortin class that work in brain hormone signaling. They have been used to treat cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD, metabolic syndrome, immune function, alcohol and benzodiazepine addiction.
Tesofensine was originally studied in patients with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s and researchers found subjects were losing weight. This peptide increases serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine which can help some patients with energy, mood, memory and weight.
Talk to us
To determine if peptide therapies are something you should consider on your health journey call our office today and schedule with Dr. Sandison.
Author: Dr. Heather Sandison
