What are Peptides?

About Peptides:

• Peptides are chains of amino acids that are naturally found in the body.
• The amino acids in a peptide are connected to one another in a sequence by bonds called peptide bonds.
• Peptides vs. Proteins:
  • Proteins and peptides are fundamental components of cells that carry out important biological functions.
  • Both proteins and peptides are made up of amino acids, but peptides contain far fewer amino acids than proteins.
  • Traditionally, peptides are defined as molecules that consist of between 2 and 50 amino acids.
  • Meanwhile, proteins are long molecules made up of multiple peptide subunits, and are also known as polypeptides.
  • In addition, peptides tend to be less well defined in structure than proteins, which can adopt complex conformations known as secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures.
  • Proteins can be digested by enzymes (other proteins) into short peptide fragments.
• Functions of Peptides:
  • The body makes lots of different peptides, each of which has a different role.
  • They may provide pro-aging support, anti-inflammatory, or muscle-building properties.
  • Some peptides act as hormones, which are molecules that when released from cells, affect other areas of the body.
  • Due to the potential health benefits of peptides, many supplements are available that contain peptides that manufacturers have derived either from food or made synthetically.

What are Amino Acids?

• Amino acids are molecules that combine to form proteins.
• Amino acids and proteins are the building blocks of life.
• There are 20 different amino acids.
• A protein consists of one or more chains of amino acids (called polypeptides) whose sequence is encoded in a gene.
• Some amino acids can be synthesized in the body, but others (essential amino acids) cannot and must be obtained from a person’s diet.
• The nine essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.