Peptides 101: What They Are and How They Work

Peptides have been gaining attention and are heavily marketed to a wide range of populations. You may see them promoted in skin care, injectables, supplements, and more. By looking at evidence-based research, we can uncover what peptides are, their potential benefits, and how to approach them safely.

What Are Peptides?

In general, peptides are short chains of amino acids. Therapeutic peptides that are discussed for potential health benefits are often described as pharmaceutical agents containing a specific sequence of amino acids.

Fun Facts:

• Insulin, a peptide hormone made of 51 amino acids, became the first commercial peptide drug in 1923.

• Since insulin’s monumental impact, peptide research has expanded rapidly.

• Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, was approved in 2017 for managing type 2 diabetes and blood glucose levels.

• Animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria can produce bioactive peptides that may have applications for human health. For example, components of snake venom have been studied for wound healing and neuropathy.

Commonly Marketed Peptides

Peptides are often promoted as “popular among athletes,” “anti-aging,” or “regenerative.” It’s important to approach these claims with caution.

First and foremost, always consult your healthcare provider and research both the company and the specific type of peptide you are considering.

How Are Peptides Used?

Peptides are sometimes advertised for athletic recovery and performance. Your body does use amino acids to help repair, rebuild, and recover muscle. However, most injectables marketed for performance, anti-aging, or other appealing benefits are not FDA approved and may not be legal without a prescription. Not being FDA approved means there is no guarantee of product quality, safety, or effectiveness.

Peptides used in cosmetic products from reputable suppliers have been shown to stimulate cells that increase collagen production and skin elasticity, relax facial muscles, and help preserve skin integrity.

Collagen peptides may enhance skin and joint health, decrease fat mass, increase muscle strength, and even have antihypertensive effects.

Peptides are being explored in cancer care, both for prevention and treatment, as research continues to investigate their potential applications.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are peptide-based medications primarily used for type 2 diabetes and weight management. These peptides can reduce appetite, improve blood glucose control, slow digestion, and increase insulin secretion.

Nutritional Approaches to Get Similar Results

If peptide prescriptions are not appropriate or desired, lifestyle and nutrition strategies can support similar physiological pathways:

• Hydrolyzed Casein Protein: Broken down into smaller peptides for easier absorption; may help manage obesity and metabolic syndrome by supporting energy balance.

• Fiber: Helps stabilize blood glucose, increase satiety, and naturally stimulates GLP-1 release in the gut.

• Protein: Supports metabolic rate, muscle repair, recovery, and preserves lean muscle mass.

• Sleep: Supports growth hormone release, tissue repair, and overall cellular function.

Final Tips on Peptides

If you see a peptide trending on social media or being marketed online:

1. Check whether it is FDA approved.

2. Be cautious of exaggerated or unverified claims.

3. Discuss potential risks and benefits with your physician or healthcare team.

Resources

Wang, L., Wang, N., Zhang, W., Cheng, X., Yan, Z., Shao, G., Wang, X., Wang, R., & Fu, C. (2022). Therapeutic peptides: current applications and future directions. Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 7(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-00904-4

Eichner, A. (2025). Why athletes should steer clear of online peptides. USATF. https://www.usatf.org/campus/articles/2025/why-athletes-should-steer-clear-of-online-peptides 

Pintea, A., Manea, A., Pintea, C., Vlad, R. A., Bîrsan, M., Antonoaea, P., Rédai, E. M., & Ciurba, A. (2025). Peptides: Emerging Candidates for the Prevention and Treatment of Skin Senescence: A Review. Biomolecules, 15(1), 88. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15010088

Zakir, S. K., Jawed, B., Esposito, J. E., Kanwal, R., Pulcini, R., Martinotti, R., Ceci, E., Botteghi, M., Gaudio, F., Toniato, E., & Martinotti, S. (2025). The Role of Peptides in Nutrition: Insights into Metabolic, Musculoskeletal, and Behavioral Health: A Systematic Review. International journal of molecular sciences, 26(13), 6043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136043