Peptides and proteins are components of cells that carry out essential biological functions. They are composed of strings of the body’s basic building blocks – amino acids – and are held together by peptide bonds. The difference is that peptides are composed of smaller amino acid chains than proteins.
What Is A Peptide?
Peptides are composed of two or more amino acids linked by peptide bonds and are present as linear chains. Simultaneously, a peptide’s length is determined by its number of amino acids and is usually less than 100 amino acids. In fact, most peptides’ primary function is to allow effective communication by carrying biochemical messages from one place to another in the body.
What Is A Protein?
Known as the most diverse group of biological macromolecules, the protein comprises one or more long unbranched chains called polypeptides, while amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Protein’s characteristics are determined by the sequence of amino acids, while the particular gene sequence defines this amino acid sequence. Moreover, proteins’ primary functions are enzyme catalysis, defense, transport, support, motion, regulation, and storage.
What Is The Difference Between Protein And Peptide?
- The peptide’s length is less than approximately 100 amino acids, while protein has more than 100 amino acids. However, there are exceptions; thus, the differences rely more on the function of the molecules rather than their sizes.
- Structurally, peptides are short linear chains of amino acids, while proteins are long chains of amino acids.
- Proteins normally have stable three-dimensional structures. As with peptides, they are not organized in a stable three-dimensional structure.
- Several amino acids are linked together to form a peptide by peptide bonds, while several peptides develop protein molecules.
- Proteins are considered macromolecules, unlike peptides.
- With peptides, only side chains of amino acids form hydrogen bonds. To form hydrogen bonds in proteins, they do not only side chains but also peptide groups. In fact, these hydrogen bonds can be with water or with other peptide groups.
- All the peptides exist as linear chains, while proteins can exist as primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
What Benefits Do Peptides Provide?
Peptides offer several beneficial effects to the body and may positively impact human health. Depending on their composition, certain peptides can:
- Hair growth
- Decrease inflammation
- Decrease joint and muscle pain
- Decrease toxicity of chemotherapy
- Decrease depression or anxiety symptoms
- Enhance memory and cognitive function (concentration and focus)
- Improve bone strength
- Improve skin firmness, elasticity, and tone
- Increase natural HGH levels
- Improve nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Improve recovery from injury (e.g., helps repair soft tissues like tendons, ligaments, and muscles)
- Improve recovery after bowel resection surgery
- Improve wound healing
- Improved sleep
- Improve sex drive (libido)
- Improve eye disorders (e.g., dry eyes, corneal tears, and diabetic retinopathy)
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduced body fat
- Weight loss
- Suppress tumor growth
The peptides that protect the skin, make the hair appear fuller, allow the nails to grow stronger, and support joint health are collagen peptides. Collagen aids in the elasticity, strength, and regeneration of connective tissue, such as skin, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. That means collagen has beauty-related benefits and is vital for sports performance.
What Is A Peptide Therapy?
The treatment involves using lab-made peptides to trigger a specific reaction in the body. It aims to raise low peptide levels that can’t be replaced with supplements to help prevent or treat certain conditions.
As a matter of fact, peptides can be administered through different methods, but the most common and effective method is injectable form. During the treatment process, peptides are administered through the subcutaneous fat in the stomach or another body area. Once administered, they will immediately enter the bloodstream, resolve the symptoms, and deliver all of their regenerative and anti-aging benefits.
Are There Different Types Of Peptide Therapy?
Below are the different types of peptide therapy:
- Ipamorelin (CJC 1295). It is used to help aid weight loss and build muscle by stimulating the production of human growth hormones. Most frequently, it is used by bodybuilders and has been studied as a treatment for hypogonadism.
- BPC 157. This type of peptide is known to aid joint recovery. In fact, it can help improve healing, promoting damage repair and healthy tissue growth. It can also help reduce inflammation and act as an antioxidant, aiding recovery.
- Creatine peptide. It can help improve strength and build muscle. Creatine protein powders have been popular with athletes and bodybuilders for many years but have been known to cause digestive issues. This type of peptide fuels muscles and helps boost energy, but it is easier to digest.
- Collagen Peptide. This peptide is known to slow aging signs and improve hydration and skin elasticity, and it is also believed to stimulate melanin production, which offers enhanced protection against sun damage. Not only that, but research also indicates they may also help prevent age-related bone loss. Moreover, collagen peptides can also help promote faster wound healing by reducing inflammation and functioning as antioxidants.
Who Should Receive The Peptide Therapy?
The suitable candidates for Peptide Therapy are those looking for a natural yet effective way to slow the aging signs and even reverse some of the symptoms of the natural aging process. The provider will determine if peptide therapy is suitable for the patient, following the customized treatment plan to help exceed the expectations and meet all anti-aging needs.
How Long Will It Take To Work?
While there’s not a straightforward answer for this, people can start to see results within the first month of peptide therapy. After that, the changes will depend on the type of peptide therapy the patient and healthcare provider choose best.
The Bottom Line
Peptide and protein are both strings of amino acids and are joined by peptide bonds. Integracare Medical Care and Aesthetics offer Peptide Therapy, medical science that has been around since the 1920s with the use of specific small amino acid chains to communicate with different body parts to enhance the functions of the body. Ultimately, peptides have the potential benefits of slowing the aging process or building muscle.
