Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Typically peptides contain less than 50 amino acids. Anything larger is considered a protein.
Some key things to know about peptides:
- Peptides are involved in many important biological processes like cell signaling, immune function, and hormone regulation.
- Many peptides derived from food proteins act as signaling molecules that influence physiological processes. These food-derived peptides are called bioactive peptides.
- Peptides can also be administered as drugs to treat various diseases due to their biological activity and high specificity. These peptide-based drugs are called peptide therapeutics.
Common sources of bioactive peptides include milk, eggs, meat, fish, beans, cereal grains, and some fermented foods like yogurt. During digestion, proteins from these foods get broken down into peptides with specialized functions.
For example, some milk-derived peptides have antihypertensive effects to reduce high blood pressure. Eggs and meat contain peptides that exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Specific food processing techniques like fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and gastrointestinal digestion can further break down proteins into
bioactive peptide fragments.
Research shows promise for using bioactive peptides to manage chronic diseases. However, more clinical trials are needed to fully validate efficacy and safety. If you struggle with a health condition like hypertension, fertility issues, or low immunity, consider getting personalized care. The experts at
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Now let's get into some specifics on peptide therapeutics used as drugs:
- What types of peptides are used as drugs?
- Some common classes used include growth hormone peptides, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
- What diseases do peptide drugs treat?
- Cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and more. Peptides are versatile treatment options.
- What are the advantages of peptides as drugs?
- High potency, target specificity, low toxicity, and minimal drug accumulation. Peptide drugs overall have better safety profiles compared to small molecules.
In summary, peptides are short amino acid chains with many critical functions in biology. Both endogenous and exogenous peptides demonstrate therapeutic potential. Consuming certain dietary peptides may support wellness, while peptide drugs continue to enable targeted treatment approaches for complex diseases.
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