Written by Laura Tarbell, Board Certified Wellness Coach, Functional Nutrition Practitioner, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Coach, Clean Health Level 3 Personal Trainer, Advanced STOTT Pilates Instructor, IFBB Pro Bikini Competitor, and Contest Prep Specialist
Photography by Paul Buceta
Hair & Makeup by Monica Kalra
PART SIX of a six-part series dedicated to learning how to navigate midlife hormonal and metabolic chaos, with vitality, to live your menopausal years to the fullest.
Peptides are natural compounds, composed of short chains of amino acids already found in the body, and they play a supporting role in the regulation of various functions such as metabolism, muscle repair, and energy levels. For women seeking to ease perimenopausal symptoms, peptides offer a potentially promising solution. Let’s explore what peptides are, how they work, their benefits for exercise and recovery, healing, blood sugar regulation, perimenopausal symptoms and aging—and how they might just become your new secret weapon in achieving your health and fitness goals.
What Are Peptides?
Peptides are smaller chains of amino acids—ranging anywhere from 2 to 50 amino acids—compared to full proteins, which can contain hundreds to thousands of amino acids. The human body naturally produces over 7,000 types of peptides, and many may already be familiar to you. Bioactive peptides like creatine and collagen are popular supplements. Creatine, made from three amino acids, is essential for muscle health, performance, brain health and managing blood sugars. Women naturally produce about one gram per day in the liver. Collagen, known for its skin elasticity benefits, is made of 19 amino acids and is a key ingredient in many anti-aging products.1
How Do Peptides Work?
Peptides act as signaling molecules, guiding cells to carry out specific functions. One important advantage of peptide therapy is its ability to address symptoms at the source. Let’s take growth hormones (GH) for example. The body produces GH to support muscle growth, cell repair, and metabolism, but with age and after menopause, this hormone naturally declines. Using specific peptides to boost growth-hormone production improves not only muscle but also bone health, energy and sleep.2
Peptides can be taken in various forms, including oral supplements, skin creams or patches, oral and nasal sprays, or injections. However, many peptides are unstable and may break down when taken orally or when applied topically, preventing them from reaching the bloodstream intact. Be sure to talk with your practitioner or doctor about the specific peptide you’re taking, what your goals are for using it and what form would be best for you.
Areas where peptides are being successfully used to manage fitness and health include muscle and bone health, recovery, digestion, sleep, inflammation and insulin resistance, and beauty.
Popular Peptides And Their Uses
⊲ Ipamorelin
Widely used in fitness for its ability to stimulate GH release, which enhances muscle repair, increases lean muscle mass, and boosts overall physical performance. It works by stimulating the hypothalamus to regulate GH secretion and by binding to IGF-1 receptors, mimicking their effects to improve muscle mass and strength. Additionally, Ipamorelin promotes fat loss by increasing metabolism and stimulating lipolysis—the breakdown of fat. It also supports better sleep quality, essential for muscle recovery and hormonal balance. Overall, Ipamorelin can be very beneficial regarding numerous perimenopausal symptoms through supporting muscle growth, body composition, restful sleep, improved skin elasticity, and energy, helping you look and feel more youthful and vibrant.3
⊲ BPC-157
Naturally produced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and plays a crucial role in protecting and healing the GI mucosal lining from inflammation and injury. This is especially important for individuals with GI disorders such as leaky gut syndrome, IBS, and IBD, as these conditions can damage the GI mucosa, leading to nutrient malabsorption, the entry of harmful substances into the bloodstream, and increased inflammation. BPC-157 also helps guard the gut from damage caused by harmful substances like alcohol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which can irritate the stomach lining and create gut issues or worsen already existing issues. Studies have shown that BPC-157 can accelerate the healing of damaged gut tissues by stimulating the production of growth factors and promoting the formation of new blood vessels. BPC-157 accelerates wound healing in deep skin burns and corneal injuries as well. It is also used to treat injured muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.4
⊲ GLP-1, or glucagon-like-peptide-1, agonists
A type of peptide-based medication gaining great popularity. These peptides mimic the action of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 produced in the gut, a hormone that plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin secretion, reducing glucagon release, and slowing gastric emptying. GLP-1 agonists aid in weight loss by manipulating hunger and fullness signaling in the brain, helping individuals feel satiated more quickly and reducing caloric intake. In addition to its glucose-lowering and weight loss effects, GLP-1s have also been shown to help a range of health conditions, from cancer to heart disease. But while GLP-1 agonists are effective in managing blood sugar and promoting weight loss, they do come with some potential side effects. Common side effects include: nausea, bowel issues, headaches, loss of appetite and, more rarely, issues with the pancreas, kidneys, and thyroid.5
⊲ Kisspeptin
A neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus and functions as an important regulator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls the release of reproductive hormones. It stimulates the release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which then triggers the pituitary gland to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This can support more balanced hormone levels and potentially alleviate perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings and irregular cycles.6
⊲ GHK-Cu
A copper peptide used for its anti-aging and regenerative properties. It supports skin regeneration by stimulating collagen and elastin production, thus improving elasticity and reducing wrinkles. GHK-Cu also has antioxidant properties that help protect cells from oxidative stress, which is a major influencer on aging. This peptide aids in tissue repair and wound healing, supports immune function, and has been shown to improve hair growth as well. Overall, GHK-Cu helps maintain youthful skin and enhances the body’s natural repair mechanisms, contributing to healthier aging.7
Risks And Benefits
When considering peptide therapy, it’s important to weigh its benefits and risks before integrating it into your overall health plan. Here are five things you should keep in mind:
1. Consult a Healthcare Provider
Before starting peptide therapy, discuss your symptoms, medical history, and current treatments with a doctor. They can help you determine if peptide therapy is a suitable option and guide you through the risks and benefits.
2. Evaluate Your Symptoms
Identify which perimenopausal symptoms affect you most, and discuss how peptide therapy may target these issues, such as sleep disturbances, muscle loss, or mood changes.
3. Consider Your Health
If you have underlying conditions, like cardiovascular disease, this may affect your treatment choices. Your doctor might recommend alternatives or additional precautions.
4. Assess Your Lifestyle
Some peptide therapies require consistent administration, like regular injections, while others may be available as creams or patches. Choose a treatment that fits into your routine.
5. Stay Informed
The field of perimenopause treatments is rapidly evolving, so keep up with the latest research and consult your healthcare provider about new developments.
Peptide therapy is a cutting-edge approach to enhancing fitness and managing perimenopausal symptoms. By understanding and incorporating peptides into your wellness strategy, you could optimize your health, improve your performance, and enjoy a more vibrant and balanced life.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself Before Using Peptides
⊲ Is peptide therapy appropriate for my symptoms, biofeedback and goals?
⊲ What are the possible side effects?
⊲ How long will I need therapy?
⊲ Could it interact with my current medications?
References
1. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/what-are-peptides#:~:text=Peptide%20therapy%20is%20the%20use,after%20hard%20training%20and%20competing
2. https://www.contemporaryhealthcenter.com/weightloss-peptide/growth-hormone-stimulating-peptide-therapy/
3. https://www.nymdcenter.com/the-benefits-of-ipamorelin-growth-hormone/ 4. https://thesolutioniv.com/blog/benefits-of-bpc-157-for-gut-health/
5. PMID: 25202976 6. PMID: 37467734 7. PMID: 35083444
