What I Love About Peptides

By Rebecca Steiner, Certified Health Coach and Peptide Specialist

Peptide therapy is one of my favorite tools for anyone who wants to enhance their health, longevity, physical appearance, and overall well-being. What I really love about peptides is that they are natural and very safe (when used correctly and under your doctor’s supervision). Peptides are messenger molecules that our bodies make naturally. They do all sorts of important things, like telling your cells how to function properly, and which hormones to release.  In our clinic, peptide therapy has been a game changer for a lot of people who are seeking support for a wide range conditions, from chronic illnesses like Lyme disease to weight loss and body optimization, and the prevention of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. In my opinion, there is really no condition that peptides can’t benefit. 

Why Some People Don’t Love Peptides

I occasionally come across clients who have tried peptides without success, or they experienced bad side-effects. Upon further investigation, I learn that they purchased their peptides not through their doctor but from an online vendor. I can’t stress enough how important it is to work with a skilled practitioner who is able to source your peptides from a reputable pharmacy and can design a protocol for you based on your individual needs. No matter what some people may tell you, peptides are NOT a one size fits all product. Additionally, while peptide therapy is quite safe, purchasing peptides online is risky. This is because only doctors have access to compounding pharmacies that are strictly regulated by the FDA, and because peptide practitioners will be the first to know if there are issues with a product or a manufacturer. Peptides that are sold online at discounted prices are at best, a lesser quality and at worst, dangerous for your health. 

Why You’ll Love Peptides

  • Peptides have so many amazing health benefits including:

  • Anti-aging properties

  • Improvement in the look of skin, hair and nails

  • Increased life span

  • Weight loss

  • Lean muscle building

  • Performance enhancing

  • Improved sexual function

  • Increased bone density 

  • Prevention of degenerative diseases

  • Immune system support

  • Wound healing

  • Bone, tissue and muscle repair

  • Neuroprotection 

  • Gut repair 

  • Mood balancing 

  • Improved sleep

  • Antimicrobial effects

MY FAVORITE PEPTIDES

 There are lots of different peptides out there, but these are some of my favorites. Keep in mind that many of these peptides work better synergistically, so your practitioner may want to combine, or “stack” them. 

CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for Weight Loss

As we age, our hormones change, we experience chronic illness and stress, or regularly diet, weight loss becomes more difficult. Our growth hormone production decreases, and our metabolism is no longer working properly. CJC and Ipamorelin are combined in this peptide to improve growth hormone production, and boost and restore the metabolism. It is a small injection that allows for easier weight loss (especially around the midsection) increased lean muscle mass, and overall body optimization. Other benefits include: anti-aging properties, strengthening of the immune system, better sleep, and improvement in the look of hair, skin and nails. The caveat with these peptides is that you must follow a specific diet to really get the full benefit. At our clinic we design a “Peptide Diet Program” so you get the most out of your peptides. 

Amlexanox – For Weight Loss, Seasonal Allergies, and Much More

In my opinion, Amlexanox is the most underrated peptide on the market. It is a very effective, unique, and multifaceted compound, that is taken orally, as a capsule and is reasonably priced. It is usually used for weight loss because it improves glucose control and insulin resistance and reduces HbA1C levels, as well as reducing appetite. I find that it works very well in people with inflammation-related weight gain, because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Amlexanox doesn’t work for everybody. We still don’t know why, but it likely has something to do with genetics. Even though it doesn’t work for everyone, when Amlexanox works, it works very well! I also find that it’s much more effective when stacked with CJC+Ipamorelin. The other amazing thing about Amlexanox is that it has mast cell stabilizing effects. Amlexanox stabilizes mast cells in the body, that when activated, release histamine, therefore, it reduces the levels histamine in the body. I’ve seen Amlexanox work wonders for people with histamine or inflammation-based conditions like; mold toxicity, CIRS, seasonal allergies, food allergies, Gut problems, histamine intolerance, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Lyme disease. There is also research showing that it could be useful in the treatment of tumors. 

Thymosin Alpha-1 – For the Immune System

Many people who work with peptides will tell you that if they had to pick only one peptide they could use forever, it would be Thymosin alpha-1. That is because of the incredible effects TA-1 has on the immune system. On one end, it can bolster the immunity of a healthy person, to prevent potential illnesses, and on the other, it can improve chronic conditions like Lyme disease, Autoimmune illness, and even cancer. I personally use TA-1 anytime I get the feeling I’m coming down with something, and I’m usually successful at preventing or limiting the duration of colds and flus. I’ve also had a lot of success stacking TA-1 with CJC+Ipamorelin in people with inflammation, infection, or mold related weight gain. 

Thymosin Beta-4 – For Injury 

TB-4 is a healing peptide that promotes repair and recovery after injury. It is commonly used to treat sports injuries and to promote healing after surgery. TB-4 improves blood flow and reduces inflammation, it also repairs muscles, tendons and ligaments. 

BPC-157 – For Gut Repair, Fitness & Injury

BPC, or Body Protective Compound, is the one peptide that everyone can benefit from, has zero side-effects or contraindications and can, and should, be taken every day of your life. BPC is often used orally for gut repair, and is very helpful in treating ulcers, SIBO, IBS, Leaky Gut Syndrome, C. Difficile, and Ulcerative Colitis. Body builders, or anyone who is looking to make gains in the gym, appreciate the injectable version of BPC for its body repairing benefits. BPC will promote quicker recovery after exercise, faster muscle regeneration, and promotes tissue repair after injury. BPC reduces inflammation and prevents injury from exercise. BPC can also be stacked with TB-4 to accelerate healing pre and post-surgery. It can also repair organs, and has been shown to improve liver function and most importantly, can help prevent hangovers.  

Selank 

Selank is a natural nootropic and anxiolytic nasal spray, that has been shown to be an effective replacement for pharmaceuticals like Xanax. Selank can improve; anxiety, depression, memory and mental clarity, and is helpful in the treatment of ADHD, Autism, mood disorders, gut problems, histamine intolerance, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. It also has immune boosting properties and can work synergistically with other peptides to improve weight loss.  The great thing about selank is that unlike pharmaceuticals such as Xanax and valium, it is non-addictive and often allows people to successfully wean off of their prescription medications. 

Epitalon – The Fountain of Youth

Epitalon is probably the most amazing peptide there is, because it is literally the fountain of youth placed inside of a tiny injection. Epitalon will make you live longer and have you looking better. Unfortunately, it is also quite expensive, and can be cost prohibitive for many people. Epitalon has been shown, through scientific research, to increase lifespan and prevent degenerative diseases, by increasing telomere length. Telomeres are the ends of a chromosome, and the protective parts of our DNA. They make sure our cells divide properly. The longer the telomere strands are, the better the cell health. Each time a cell divides, the telomere becomes shorter, so as we age, the length of our telomeres inevitably shorten. Epitalon will lengthen these telomeres, resulting in longer life span and the delay and prevention of degenerative diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and dementia. Epitalon will also help prevent skin aging, and it improves sleep. For best results, Epitalon should be administered as a small injection, twice per year, for three years. 

If you are interested in scheduling a peptide consultation, please contact our office!

Infertility – Could it be Parasites?

By Sangita Pedro, ND

The digestive system is the foundation of human health. Digestion of food provides nutrients to build hormones, immunoglobulins, and neurotransmitters. It is also where the body rids itself of toxins, used hormones and excess cholesterol. 

Digestion requires more daily energy than any other system in the body, but it also absorbs the nutrients needed to keep the system running. It is a graceful, elegant system and when it is working well, we experience health and vitality. And when any part of the digestive system – stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder or pancreas – becomes overburdened, we feel it, we just don’t always pay attention to it.

There are many ways in which our digestive system can become overburdened and many signs and symptoms that tell us what is happening. The most common burdens I see in my clinical practice are SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) yeast overgrowth and intestinal parasites.  Sometimes alone and sometimes all together!

Some early symptoms of these conditions include heartburn or reflux, tightness in the chest, coughing, runny nose, sneezing or skin flushing after eating, abdominal bloating, gas, constipation, loose stools or diarrhea. You don’t have to experience these symptoms all the time for there to be a problem. 

SIBO and yeast overgrowth (ie. Candida) are fairly well-known diagnoses, especially among patients with overt gastrointestinal symptoms but parasites are regarded as rare and only really a problem in developing nations.

There are many myths about parasites but the three I come across most frequently are:

1.     Parasites cause diarrhea and I am constipated so I can’t have parasites.

2.     I have never been outside the US so I can’t have parasites.

3.     Parasites make you lose weight, and I can’t lose weight so I can’t have parasites.

All false! It is true that some acute parasitic infections, like Giardia, cause diarrhea and weight loss but chronic infections more commonly cause constipation and weight gain. And although travel outside the US along with history of food poisoning increases the likelihood of parasites it is by no means necessary. Food poisoning happens in the US all the time and outbreaks of Giardia and Cryptosporidium happen in municipal water supplies every year in the US. 

So how are parasites linked to infertility?

Parasites eat your food, cause inflammation in the intestinal lining and decrease absorption of nutrients. This depletes you slowly, over many years, of the nutrients you need to build hormones. Low hormones make it difficult to conceive and maintain a pregnancy. 

Parasites, especially worms, excrete estrogen-like substances that block receptors and confuse our hormonal system. The toxins they excrete also impair the body’s ability to get rid of used estrogens properly. Those used estrogens are accidentally recycled, creating further imbalance in our hormonal system. 

Another reason parasites are quickly disregarded is they are very difficult to find on stools tests. 

Parasites adhere very tightly to the gut lining and therefore are not scraped off easily during bowel movements. They also have life cycles; periods of relative quiet when they are reproducing and periods of greater activity or growth which means you have to get lucky and collect a sample in a more active, plentiful stage. And last but not least, parasites are smart. They have learned to keep their population below the threshold of our innate immune system response. If their numbers get too high and break that threshold, our immune system will see them and kill them. 

If you are experiencing unexplained infertility or have in the past, you might have some unwanted travelers in your gut sapping you of your nutrients. Find a practitioner who understands parasites so you can take back your vitality and fertility!

Intestinal Parasites: Tiny Bugs, Big Problem

Everyone is exposed to parasites through food and water, even in the U.S. and for some people those generally benign parasites, can stick around for decades and cause a multitude of health problems including infertility, hormonal imbalance, every type of gut issue including diarrhea and constipation, insomnia, brain fog and much more.

In this talk Dr. Pedro will cover symptoms of acute and chronic parasitic infections and how to get rid of them. She will also go over the other toxins and infections commonly associated with parasitic infection including yeast overgrowth and mycotoxin illness.

There will be time at the end for questions and the talk will be recorded so you can listen to it any time.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2021

6:45 - 8pm Pacific Time

Please email Dr. Pedro at drpedro@bewellnaturalmedicine.net if you would like to join this free talk. A Zoom link will be sent out the day before the event.

Post-Holiday Digestion Help!

By Sangita Pedro, ND

We have all had the post-holiday experience of feeling sluggish and heavy after overindulging in rich food, sugar, and alcohol topped off with a hearty dose of stress! This is probably why gyms, yoga studios and doctor’s offices fill up quickly after the first of the year. We all want to start the year off feeling good. Well, if you want to start your new year off on a healthy path, improving your gut is a great way to start. Even the healthiest of us could likely use a little tune-up after the holidays to help us sleep better, feel more energized and get through those workouts with a smile.

Digestion 101

Good digestion is the foundation of health.

Digestion provides the body with the raw materials it needs to carry out thousands of essential processes every day, including building hormones and neurotransmitters, creating cells of all kinds, and producing cellular energy.

Where does healthy digestion begin? In the mind! Even before food enters our mouths, the thought of the meal we’re about to enjoy makes us salivate, which triggers stomach acid production. With the first whiffs of dinner, digestion is already underway. 

Stomach acid serves two primary purposes in the story – it breaks down the food we consume into smaller pieces and it kills any unwanted bacteria, viruses, or parasites that might be hiding in our food. 

 As the food leaves the stomach, it triggers the pancreas to release digestive enzymes for carbohydrate and protein digestion. Next, it prompts the liver and gallbladder to release bile for fat absorption. 

 If all goes well, the result of this process is a perfectly broken-down pile of nutrients that winds its way slowly through the roughly 20 feet of the small intestine, where all the macro and micro nutrients are absorbed and sent to where they are needed in the body. Anything not absorbed in the small intestine is sent to the large intestine for disposal.

In a not-so-healthy system we might experience symptoms like these:

  • Heartburn, indigestion or reflux

  • Abdominal bloating

  • Excessive burping or gas

  • Bad breath

  • Increased or decreased appetite

  • Constipation 

  • Diarrhea

  • Fatigue

  • Abdominal cramps and pain

Or we might end up with any one of these diagnoses:

  • IBS with diarrhea and/or constipation

  • Crohn’s disease

  • Ulcerative colitis

  • GERD

  • Collagenous colitis

Whether you are currently undergoing treatment for gut imbalance or you simply want to optimize your digestion, follow these simple tips to improve your gut and your overall health:

When to Eat:

  • Eat three meals daily

  • Leave 3-4 hours between meals with no snacking, only water or herbal tea

  • Leave 3-4 hours between dinner and sleep with only water

  • The two largest meals of the day should be breakfast and lunch

  • Lightest meal of the day should be dinner

  • No food after 7pm

  • Go to sleep by 10pm

  • Get up by 6am 

  • Eat breakfast within two hours of waking

How to eat:

  • Enjoy your food before you start eating – look at it, smell it, appreciate it

  • Eat slowly and chew thoroughly

  • Sit down and relax while eating

  • Eat with others as often as possible

  • Don’t do other things while eating – phone, computer, books, etc. 

What to eat: 

What we eat is unique to each of us and will depend on our age, environment, and nutritional needs.  There is no perfect diet, there is only the diet that is right for you in the moment. 

If you are still experiencing symptoms after making these changes, there may be something else going on that warrants further testing and more specific treatment.