From the Guidelines
Peptide supplements, particularly growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs), pose significant risks and should be avoided for non-medical purposes like athletic performance and anti-aging due to their unproven benefits and potential for serious side effects. When considering peptide supplements, it's essential to weigh the potential benefits against the risks, focusing on established and safer alternatives for performance and anti-aging. Collagen peptides, for example, may offer benefits for skin elasticity and joint health with minimal side effects at recommended doses of 10-15g daily 1. Creatine peptides can enhance athletic performance by increasing muscle energy reserves and may be safely used at 3-5g daily with adequate hydration. However, the use of any supplement should be approached with caution, especially in the context of athletic performance, where the evidence for most supplements is limited and often not specific to the sport in question 1.
Key Considerations
- The evidence for peptide supplements in improving athletic performance or anti-aging is largely anecdotal or based on small, low-quality studies.
- GHRPs are associated with significant risks, including potential cancer promotion, insulin resistance, joint pain, and cardiovascular issues, with their benefits being largely unproven in clinical studies.
- Many peptide supplements, especially GHRPs, are unregulated, which means their purity and composition can vary widely, adding to the risk of adverse effects.
- Established approaches like proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management are recommended over experimenting with unregulated peptides for performance or anti-aging benefits.
Recommendations
- Consult with a healthcare provider before considering any peptide supplementation to discuss individual health factors and potential interactions with medications.
- Focus on proven methods for enhancing athletic performance and promoting anti-aging, such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and adequate rest.
- Be cautious of supplements that promise significant benefits without strong clinical evidence, especially those that are not approved for human use or are illegal in competitive sports 1.
From the Research
Peptide Supplements
The use of peptide supplements, such as collagen peptides, creatine peptides, and growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRP), has gained popularity for non-medical purposes like athletic performance and anti-aging.
- Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides (GHRP): GHRP, including GHRP-2, has been identified in over-the-counter nutritional supplements 2. These peptides have potent stimulatory effects on somatotrope secretion in animals and humans, and their use has been assumed in elite sports 2, 3.
- Mechanisms of Action: GHRPs act via specific receptors present at the pituitary or hypothalamic level, both in animals and humans, and their mechanisms of action are still unclear 4. They may counteract somatostatinergic activity or act via a GHRH-mediated mechanism.
- Benefits and Risks: The GH-releasing activity of GHRPs is marked and dose-related, and they offer potential clinical usefulness for the treatment of some GH hyposecretory states 4, 5. However, their use also carries risks, including potential performance enhancement in elite and non-professional sports, and improved general health claims for non-competing individuals 2.
- Other Peptide Supplements: Collagen peptides and creatine peptides are also being used for non-medical purposes. For example, a GHRP-6-biotin conjugate has been shown to stimulate myocytes differentiation through insulin-like growth factor-1 and collagen type I 6.
Specific Peptides
- GHRP-1: A synthetic heptapeptide that has been administered to children and adolescents, resulting in a progressive rise in plasma human GH 5.
- GHRP-2: A hexapeptide that has been identified in over-the-counter nutritional supplements and has potent GH-releasing properties 2.
- GHRP-6: A hexapeptide that has been extensively studied in humans and has been shown to stimulate myocytes differentiation through insulin-like growth factor-1 and collagen type I 6.