Protein
Peptides are considered a form of a short protein. Peptides are short chains of amino acids that exist in every cell in the body. Peptides come in many forms and are naturally occurring within the body being found in the skin, organs, bones, blood vessels, and more. These peptides that are produced in the body allow our body to perform functions that improve our cognitive function, help us age properly, heal from injuries and much more. Without the continuous production of peptides, our bodies would cease to function. Because of a natural decrease in the production of certain peptides in out bodies, collagen for example, the aging process kicks in and we being to loose skin suppleness and gain more wrinkles.
Proteins on the other hand, are longer and make up several chains of peptides and are sometimes known as polypeptides. Similar to peptides, proteins are found throughout the body and are many of multiple chains of peptides. Proteins that are made up of chains that contain more than 100 amino acids. These are often referred to as a complex polypeptide. Proteins, just like peptides, hold powerful biological functions such as giving cells their shape and other important bodily processes.
Where are Peptides found?
As mentioned above, peptides are found in every cell of the body. They are not only naturally occurring in humans, but in animals as well. There are many peptide sources in foods like fish, beef, chicken skin, pork skin and the ever popular bone broth. Additionally, with the rise of health-conscious lifestyles, the interest in peptides has extended beyond dietary sources. This interest has led to the development of online peptide therapy, offering personalized regimens to support various health and wellness goals.
Where are Proteins found?
Because proteins are basically longer chains of peptides, they are also found throughout the body including hair, skin, muscle bones, organs, and virtually every part of the body. Without the existence of proteins, just as peptides, our bodies would cease to perform. There are over 10,000 types of proteins being produced in the body.
Peptide Studies
The research being conducted in regards to proteins and peptides continues to fascinate scientists and researchers worldwide. The Peptide proteins, in the results of a vast amount of studies, show enormous benefits for living organisms and their bodily functions based on experiments done on mice, rats, and other animals. These studies continue to support the possibility of peptide use being used more commonly in the future. For now, researchers continue to study peptides created in labs for potential future use.
Exogenous peptides, not yet approved by the FDA, are being studied in laboratories across the globe to see how their administration in mice and rat populations affect various organs and functions within their bodies. Some studies conducted on mice and rats revealed that there are various healing peptides that help increase learning capabilities, create better tendencies for healing in joints, tissues, and other organs, elevate brain function, positively affect the metabolism and much more. BPC-157, TB-500, MGF, GHK-Cu, and many more.
The problem with peptide production in labs is that the process by which a peptide is produced plays an immense role in the purity of peptides. A pure peptide is made up of raw ingredients, mainly the peptide itself in its most natural form. Binders and fillers added to peptides reduce the purity of the peptides and thus studies conducted need further evaluation before approval of future peptide use in different arenas of the health, wellness, medical, skincare, and beauty industry.
More on Proteins
Proteins, much like peptides, work in various capacities that enable our body to function properly and carry out critical processes that occur daily in our bodily systems. Proteins act as antibodies (immunoglobulin), messengers (growth hormones), enzymes (Phenylalanine hydroxylase), transport and storage (ferritin), and provide structural support in our cells (actin).
Antibody proteins help protect the body from harmful viruses and bacteria while enzymes control the thousands of chemical reactions that occur in our body daily. These are just a few examples of the unending ways proteins interact in our body to keep our body functioning properly.
Our bodies need protein and that is why a diet lacking protein can have a negative effect on our bodies. When we keep a moderate and steady supply of protein for our bodies through food, we can ensure that the proteins in our bodies will be replenished and continue working for us.
Peptides vs Proteins Recap
Peptides and proteins are very similar in that they are both made up of chains of amino acids. Peptides are shorter versions of protein and are made of smaller chains of amino acids. Proteins on the other hands, also known as polypeptides or complex polypeptides, are made of long chains of amino acids. The two, naturally occurring in our bodies, work to accomplish an array of critical functions within our body.
