Can peptide therapy be the answer to vitality, energy, and good health io our old age? Suzanne J. Ferree M.D breaks down what peptide therapy is and how it can improve our health especially as we age.
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We are in the age of longevity. Scientists are publishing studies about breakthroughs to improve vitality in our old age. Adaptogens are added to coffee to improve brain health. And, peptide injections are being used to smooth skin, repair muscle injuries, improve brain fog, and delay the wear on our bodies from aging. While peptides are not generally accepted by the traditional medical community, peptide therapy is grabbing headlines for its potential as a breakthrough treatment for a variety of health concerns when it comes to aging.
“Peptides are everywhere. Every time your body requires an enzyme to do a job, it has to make a peptide to make it happen. As we age, how our body uses these peptides changes,” explains Suzanne J. Ferre, M.D., FAARM, ABAARM, an expert in peptide therapy and the founder of Vine Medical Associates. For years she has treated patients with peptide therapy. Yet, as effective as the treatment can be, she is still a proponent of holistic health. “Peptide therapy is not a magic cure-all and patients must remain active participants in their health journey.” she says in her book Counter Clock Wise.
As an award-winning teacher at Emory University, Suzanne is an expert not only in utilizing peptide therapy for her patients but also teaching others about this innovative medicinal approach to our health. So, she was the perfect choice to help us understand what peptide therapy is and how it can improve our health.
What is peptide therapy?
Peptides are strings of amino acids made from your body’s protein factories from longer strings of amino acids or proteins. They’re like blueprints telling the electricians and plumbers and carpenters of the body how to complete their work.
Peptide skincare products also contain peptides. There are several peptides with proven effects on skin like GHK-Cu in the Vitaliskincare line. Some favorite peptides include insulin, growth hormone, bacitracin, losartan, and the weight loss blockbuster semaglutide.
Are peptides natural, synthetic, or a mixture?
Peptides are naturally made by our bodies, however they can be made in a lab or modified to prevent breakdown by our bodies’ natural enzymes to keep them around longer.
Why are peptides often referred to as ‘natural botox’?
Some peptides work to improve fine wrinkles in the skin by improving the production of collagen and elastin, improving the way skin stem cells work, and decreasing inflammation. Botox merely paralyzes the muscles that contract, causing skin wrinkles over time.
What are other health issues can peptide therapy be an effective treatment for?
We use peptides for maintaining muscle mass, improving fat loss, improving insulin resistance, reducing joint, tendon, and other pain, helping with sleep and headaches, and reducing the effects of MS, ALS, dementia, hair loss, and skin wrinkles.
Have there been efficacy studies for peptide therapy?
There are thousands of journal articles on the various positive effects of peptides in animals, fewer articles in humans, and even fewer ever go through FDA approval. Keep in mind, each peptide serves a different function in the body, so “peptides” is a generic title. We use specific peptides or stacks of 2-4 specific peptides together to accomplish specific goals like controlling inflammation, enhancing nerve function, clearing fibrosis and improving blood flow.
How can we begin speaking with our doctors about a peptide therapy regimen?
There are about 1000s of doctors in the country trained in the use of peptides who can be found via A4M or SSRP websites. This is a specialty of functional medicine. My book, Counterclockwise, is also a good place to start.
Have you used a peptide therapy regimen?
I started with a hip injury I was trying to heal that did not respond to chiropractic, massage, physical therapy, dry needling, or red ropes. I have tried most of the peptides on myself as I did with hormones, ozone therapy, neural therapy, IV nutrition, senotherapeutics, etc. I like to be able to speak from experience on any possible side effects or benefits
What other advice do you have for readers to adopt a healthy lifestyle?
Everything starts with lots of clean water, 7-8 hours of quality sleep, healthy relationships with yourself and others in your life, limiting toxin exposure (including social media), regular detoxification, hormone balance, clean food with plenty of protein, regular resistance exercise, and daily walking.
