Peptides and Gut Health
Peptides, such as Sermorelin and Ipamorelin, play a crucial role in gut health. They stimulate the release of growth hormones, which can influence various metabolic processes in the gut. Understanding their function can help in managing gut-related health conditions.
What are peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids (building blocks of proteins), which typically consist of 2 to 50 amino acids linked by peptide bonds [1, 2, 3]. Peptides have a variety of biological functions including activating as intercellular messengers, hormones, neurotransmitters or also as antimicrobial agents [1].
These molecules can contribute to physiological functions in our organisms and can even be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries [4]. They can also overcome the physiological and transport barriers presented by diseases, making them attractive in drug delivery and materials engineering [5].
How do peptides influence my gut health?
Peptides derived from food play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and its proper functioning. In terms of the biological functions they are involved in are modulation of the barrier function, immune responses and modulation of the gut microbiota [6].
Interestingly, gut peptides can suppress the growth of pro-obesity gut bacteria and can facilitate the proliferation of anti-obesity effects [7]. This again, highlights the supportive role of the peptides in the gut to our health and overall wellbeing [7].
However, diet is one of the leading factors influencing our gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the intestines are a target for functional peptides [6, 8]. So it is no surprise that food-derived peptides can also influence the body’s energy homeostasis. This is mainly done by regulating the appetite and energy metabolism [9]. Peptides can also modulate signalling pathways which contribute to protective and regenerative actions in the gut [10].
Do peptides have an effect on my gut microbiome?
Yes, peptides do have an effect on your gut microbiome.
The gut microbiome consists of a variety of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms not only interact with each other, but they also respond to the food we digest and can interact with our nervous system as well (Recently we wrote a blog post about the connection of the gut microbiome and the brain, go check it out!) [11].
Food-derived peptides have been reported to optimise the structure of the gut microbiota and improve human health by reducing metabolic disorders [7, 12, 13].
In addition, peptides can also influence the diversity of the gut microbiota. For example, a peptide called hydrolyzed casein was found to enhance microbial carbohydrate metabolism in the ileum (a part of the small intestine) [14]
Altogether, there is evidence suggesting a connection between the peptides and their influence on the gut and the gut microbiome. However, more research needs to be conducted in order to understand the role of peptides better.
Having a healthy gut microbiome is very important for maintaining good health. Disturbances in the gut microbiome can cause depression and anxiety, and research suggests a link between the gut microbiome and ALS.
What are some other benefits of peptides?
Peptides are a broad term with a variety of health benefits and effects. For example, as we discussed in our blog about peptides for brain health, some peptides may enhance memory and learning. Other examples include peptides for muscle growth and body building, peptides for tendon repair or peptides for healing. Recently, peptides for weight loss have shown effectiveness in promoting weight loss. However, it is always important to consider the science behind each peptide. For example, scientific evidence exploring the possible side effects of BPC-157 is missing.