The use of peptide injection therapy has increased across the United States. According to the American Medical Association, public interest in injectable peptides is rising as more people see them promoted online for weight loss, anti-aging, and muscle recovery.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Peptides naturally occur in the body, acting as hormones, regulators, or messengers. They support important functions and processes such as digestion, regulating metabolism and appetite, regulating blood sugar, defending the body against injury and infection, promoting cell growth and tissue repair, and regulating blood pressure. Peptides can also influence mood, stress, and behavior.
Examples of peptides that occur naturally in the body are:
- Insulin
- Endorphins
- Glutathione
- Collagen peptides
- Growth Hormone (GH)
- BPC-157
- Vasopressin
- Glucagon
- GLP‑1 (glucagon‑like peptide‑1)
- Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
Peptide therapy uses synthetic peptides designed to mimic those naturally occurring in the body to improve or alter how the body functions.
Treatment can be delivered through supplements, topical creams, or nasal sprays. However, peptide drugs delivered by injection are one of the fastest‑growing categories. This growth is primarily driven by the demand for GLP‑1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutides used to treat diabetes and obesity, and non‑GLP‑1 injectable peptides, such as NAD+ used to improve cellular energy and metabolism, as well as sermorelin/ipamorelin to stimulate growth hormone release.
Safety should be considered when deciding if peptide therapy is right for you. FDA-approved treatments are generally safe when prescribed appropriately. Non- approved or compounded treatments may carry a higher risk due to possible dosing errors, unknown long-term health effects, contamination, or hormone disruption.
If you are interested in starting peptide therapy, speak with a licensed physician to learn if this form of treatment is appropriate for your health goals and overall condition. To schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.