Does the science of peptides live up to the hype?
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What real-world harms prompted this investigation into peptides?
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Hey, thanks for having me. Yeah, I'm excited that you're here because I keep hearing about peptides. What is the deal?
So a peptide is a string of amino acids that's smaller than a protein. And your body probably has millions of different peptides. And these peptides do different things like regulate immune function or grow certain cells, control hormones. For example, most people have heard of insulin. That's a peptide. The hormone oxytocin is also a peptide. And some of these peptides are getting even more time in the limelight this week because seven commonly used peptides are up for consideration by the FDA's compounding pharmacy board. They're holding a two-day meeting later this week.
Okay, so peptides, they're definitely not a new thing.
No, no, definitely not. But what is new is that a lot of fitness influencers and tech bros and celebrities are really excited about synthetic peptides, which sources I spoke with would consider a type of medication. And anecdotally, people report various peptides have helped them with muscle recovery and immune function. Some people say different combinations of peptides can slow aging.
Today on the show, the peptide promise. Are peptides all they're cracked up to be? And is what you get from an influencer online the same as getting it from your doctor? You're listening to Shortwave, a science podcast from NPR.
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Okay, Sarah, let's get into it. What does data say about peptides? Is there proof to this idea that peptides can help people with muscle recovery and immune function, even slow down aging?
I'm asking for a friend, totally. I mean, it depends on which peptide we're talking about because there are so many different peptides. For example, GLP-1 weight loss drugs, the active ingredient in those is a peptide. And these medications have been studied for safety and efficacy. But with a lot of the more popular peptides, like maybe you've heard of BPC-157.
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