What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that occur naturally within the human body and play key roles in several bodily functions, like hormone regulation, immune response, tissue repair, and more.
These chains of amino acids, peptides, are formed with peptide bonds that connect individual amino acids together, and the unique sequence formed through these special bonds determines how that peptide will affect the body and the unique role it will play in certain bodily functions.
With the multitude of advantages peptides have on a person’s overall well-being when naturally produced in the body, peptide therapy has been slowly rising in popularity as both a standalone wellness treatment and as a substitute for hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.
What are the signs you may need peptides?
Every person’s body functions differently, so it can be hard to pinpoint a set list of signs or symptoms that may make you a good candidate for peptide therapy, but peptides are most often used to treat a minor to moderate hormone imbalance, which is very common as we age.
Because the symptoms of a hormone imbalance are similar to a variety of other conditions, it can be hard to identify whether your symptoms are caused by hormones without doing blood testing or genetic testing. But, in general, here are some of the more common signs of hormone imbalances we see from our clients:
Hormone imbalance in women
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Irregular menstruation
- Infertility
- Pain in the abdomen or back during menstruation
- Low libido
- Insomnia
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Brittle bones
Hormone imbalance in men
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Loss of muscle mass
- Hair thinning or reduced hair growth
- Tenderness in the chest
Whether or not peptides can help alleviate any of these symptoms really comes down to how your current hormone levels compare to what’s considered optimal, which can only really be determined through a blood test. So, it’s important to get the necessary tests done and work with a hormone specialist to find a solution that will work best for you.
How do you test for a hormone imbalance?
Testing for a hormone imbalance is usually done through comprehensive blood testing, which can tell us the exact level of certain hormones in your body and identify if the levels are higher or lower than the optimal level. If you’re showing signs of a hormone imbalance, a blood test can also pinpoint other possible causes of those symptoms other than hormones, like nutrient deficiencies or inefficiencies with other systems.
There are also a few essential nutrients that play a role in natural hormone production in the body, like magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin D3, so a blood test in combination with a genetic test can identify gene breaks that may make it harder for your body to process these key nutrients into usable forms to aid in that hormone regulation.
How are peptides different from HRT?
One of the most important roles peptides play in the body is stimulating and regulating hormone production, making them a great alternative to hormone replacement therapy for some people.
HRT is the injection of synthetic hormones into the body to increase those levels in the body and ensure your body is functioning normally, but peptides can encourage your body to produce those hormones on its own, decreasing the need for synthetic hormones altogether.
While there is still research being done on both hormone therapy and peptide therapy, peptides are considered to be the safer option, as they have shown few side effects in trials than HRT.
What peptides does 10X Health offer?
While peptides offer a great alternative to hormone replacement therapy to manage and treat symptoms of hormone imbalance, peptide therapy can be used as a tool to accomplish a wide array of wellness goals, from weight loss to improving sleep.
Weight Loss Peptide
Losing weight can be a complex process, as no two people will respond to weight loss treatments and therapies the same way. But, peptides can be used in combination with other weight loss tactics to help you shed weight faster. More specifically, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work together to support weight loss by controlling appetite and improving glycemic control.
Semaglutide, which was approved as an anti-obesity medication by the FDA in 2021, works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone that’s released in the gut in response to eating. This hormone mainly tells the body to produce insulin and reduce blood sugar, but it can also suppress appetite and signal feelings of fullness, making Semaglutide an effective weight management solution.
Tirzepatide, when used in conjunction with Semaglutide, has been shown in clinical studies to substantially reduce body weight when administered weekly. Like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide is on the docket for FDA approval this year, and it works in the same way Semaglutide does — by mimicking GLP-1 hormone that reduces blood sugar and suppresses appetite.
Strength & Recovery Peptide
For those looking to increase their strength and recover quicker from intense workouts, the CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin peptide is a great option, as this peptide promotes muscle growth, fat loss, and overall physical wellness.
CJC-1295 is a 30-amino acid peptide that increases the synthesis of proteins, which can simultaneously help your body lose fat and gain muscle tissue. Other benefits include increased energy, an increase in lean body mass, and improved bone density, which, in combination can help you more efficiently and effectively gain strength.
On the recovery side, CJC-1295 can also improve immune function and sleep quality while helping your body recover from injury more quickly.
Ipamorelin works in tandem with CJC-1295 to increase plasma growth hormone levels, which can help to improve cellular repair, sleep quality, collagen production, energy, and endurance, making it easier to work out hard and recover fast.
Healing Peptide
If you struggle with pain and inflammation in your body or are prone to injury, the peptide BPC-157 can help promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation, and accelerate recovery.
Studies show that BPC-157 can speed up healing throughout the body, including in the nervous system, tendons, and muscles. It can also increase circulation, which can help accelerate the healing of wounds, like burns or cuts on the skin. On top of it’s healing properties, BPC-157 supports joint health and can even help manage gastrointestinal issues, like IBS.
Sleep Peptide
Getting a high quantity and quality of sleep is key to optimizing your body’s many functions and reaching optimal wellness, and the Delta Sleep Inducing Peptide — abbreviated DSIP — can promote deep and restorative sleep while regulating the circadian rhythm that controls your sleep-and-wake cycles.
DSIP has been described by users as calming and sleep-inducing, and it’s also thought to help increase human growth hormone production. The peptide works by binding to sleep and relaxation receptors in the brain, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. As an additional benefit, it can also reduce anxiety, depression, and fatigue while improving memory and alertness.
Sexual Wellness Peptide (PT-141)
Finally in the 10X Health peptide lineup is PT-141, which is great for those seeking to improve their sexual wellness. PT-141 stimulates libido, enhances sexual performance, and promotes sexual satisfaction.
For men, PT-141 can address problems with erectile dysfunction while, in women, it can stimulate dopamine hormone production to boost sexual arousal and libido. It’s been approved by the FDA for treating female sexual dysfunction, and research is still being done to identify other uses and effects of the peptide on male and female sexual wellness.
How does 10X Health administer peptides?
With 10X Health’s team of experienced hormone specialists, we work with clients from all walks of life to help them meet their wellness goals, and peptides are just a small piece of how we can help.
Peptide prescription and administration through 10X Health requires comprehensive testing and consultation ahead of time to ensure peptides will be the best choice of therapy for you, your goals, and your needs.
Once prescribed, peptide therapy is most often administered through injections (subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously), but some peptides can be administered orally, too. Your dedicated wellness advisor and provider will work closely with you to ensure peptide therapy administration is going to be effective and meet your goals.
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If you’re struggling with the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, consider investing in some detailed genetic and blood testing to help identify the root cause of your symptoms and see if peptides would be a good option for you. Get in touch with our team of medical and wellness experts today!
