By Tony Robbins

Back in the 1960s, at the peak of the Cold War arms race, the Soviet Union had a problem. To keep pace with America, they were pulling out all the stops to expand their nuclear program. But they couldn’t stop their reactors from leaking—a significant problem in military submarines. Sailors were passing from terminal cancers. In 1973, the generals tapped a young doctor and gerontologist named Vladimir Khavinson to find a solution.¹

Khavinson’s research team focused on mini proteins called peptides—short chains of amino acids that help regulate cell division and gene expression. Peptides are also a big part of our repair kit for every tissue and organ in the body. As signaling molecules, peptides bind like in a lock to protein receptors on a cell’s surface. 

The Soviet scientists devised ways to isolate and extract these protein fragments. The new preparation was injected into at-risk sailors, and they stopped dying. In fact, they suddenly seemed to have vastly improved immune systems—and it wasn’t a fluke. Years later, after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster, locals who received peptide treatments had far lower cancer rates.²

Peptide Therapeutics

We absorb peptides—to a point—from meat, fish, and plant-based proteins (beans, wheat, oats) in our diet. With age, the stockpile of peptides in our bodies diminishes and that can lead to a loss of function and a weakened, vulnerable immune system. 

More than eighty peptides have been approved by the FDA to treat one or more diseases.³ Unlike chemical drugs, peptides preserve the body’s natural feedback loops and restore homeostasis. If you’re healthy, peptides can help you reach and sustain physical peak. If you’re ailing, peptides have been shown to be low-risk therapeutics for diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. 

Applications are in the pipeline for neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s. Equally exciting, peptides are emerging as a valuable tool in battling autoimmune conditions and out-of-control inflammation—the root of degenerative diseases. 

Case Study

Over the last five years, Mitchell Fleisher, MD, a Virginia-based family physician who specializes in regenerative medicine, has successfully prescribed peptides to dozens of patients. One such patient, a 45-year-old truck driver, had a serious traffic accident. The injury increased the man’s inflammatory response and sent his multiple sclerosis—an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system—into relapse. 

“When he came to me, he was using a cane and dragging his right foot,” Mitchell explained. “He couldn’t drive or work in the garden. He spent most of his time on the couch.” Though the patient had an acute fear of needles, Mitchell persuaded him to try three commonly used peptides: thymosin alpha 1, thymosin beta 4, and BPC-157. Six weeks later, the man walked up to the reception desk with a big grin, and his cane held high above his head. “If this keeps up, doc,” he said, “I might dance an Irish jig!” Indeed, the body has an amazing ability to heal when you provide it with the key ingredients it needs. 

Types of Peptides

To stave off feeling and looking older, millions of people have turned to peptide supplements for bodybuilding, performance enhancement (both athletic and sexual), and skin rejuvenation. Properly administered, peptides are generally safe, and because their molecules tend to be smaller than biological proteins or antibody medicines, they’re less likely to set off immune system alarms and provoke inflammation. Additionally, since they hit their targets more selectively than chemical-based drugs, serious side effects are rare. According to German chemist Horst Kessler, PhD, once the signaling is done, peptides “can be recycled by the body—no accumulation, no complicated detoxification.”⁴

Since most peptides are broken down by the gastrointestinal enzymes, they need to be injected in fatty tissue just under the skin, typically in the lower abdomen or upper arm, with ultra-fine insulin needles (similar to those used by diabetics who self-administer insulin). Recent advances, such as fail-safe, auto-dosing, prefilled syringes, have made these shots simple and easy to use. A new generation of peptides are now also available orally, as nasal sprays, or topical creams.

As a caveat, you’ll need to seek out reputable sources. By one estimate, four of five peptides sold on the web are “adulterated or outright fakes.”⁵ The better way to go? A compounding pharmacy that fills customized prescriptions by licensed physicians in a highly regulated, sanitary environment. Additionally, you’ll need to find the right doctor. Peptides are pleiotropic, meaning they have multiple effects, so you’ll want someone experienced in supervising their use. The International Peptide Society can suggest certified medical practitioners. 

Here’s a quick review of three common peptides as a basis for further research by you and your regenerative physician:

Peptide: Thymosin alpha-1 (TA-1)

Indication: Strengthen the immune system; combat age-related decline

Summary: As you age, the thymus gland gradually turns into fat tissue and stops producing the robust battalions of T cells that fight off infections or eliminate rogue cancer cells. If you had to choose a single peptide to help address immunological aging, thymosin alpha-1 may be the one. 

TA-1 has proven its ability to stimulate the immune system in both animal and human studies. It has also shown promising data in fighting liver and kidney disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Also, TA-1 is FDA-approved for malignant melanoma, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Its safety record is outstanding.

Peptide: GHK-Cu 

Indication: Revive skin and restore hair

Summary: The peptide GHK-Cu is a topical foam that can be used daily to improve fine lines and wrinkles. It counteracts cosmetic aging by boosting collagen synthesis up to seventy percent.⁶ According to William Seeds, MD, chairman of the International Peptide Society, GHK-Cu also stimulates wound healing and “amazing hair growth.”⁷

Melanotan I has also shown promising results in skin health. Specifically, it darkens skin by stimulating the production of melanin pigment production. Melanotan I is FDA-approved for treating skin damage in people with light intolerances and may also help those struggling with mold toxicity. Generally, it offers aesthetic benefits and may even have some intriguing side benefits: higher fat metabolism and increased libido.    

As an honorable mention, the peptides MOTS-c and Humanin are derived from the mitochondria—the powerhouses of the cell. Among other functions, they may revitalize carbohydrate and fat metabolism. This category of mitochondrial peptides is a potential wellspring of future innovation for longevity, health span, and peak performance.

—

Tony Robbins is an entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and philanthropist honored by Accenture as one of the top fifty business intellectuals in the world. Robbins has consulted and coached some of the world’s top athletes, entertainers, Fortune 500 CEOs, and four US presidents. Through his philanthropy and partnership with Feeding America, he has provided more than 800 million meals and is on track to provide one billion meals by 2025. 

Well Being Journal adapted the above excerpt from Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love by Tony Robbins. Copyright © 2022 by Anthony Robbins. Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

References

1. Bulmash, N. (2018) “The unknown Russian Revolution—has the Fountain of youth already been discovered?” Conscious Life Journal. Available at: https://myconsciouslifejournal.com/articles/fountain-of-youth-discovered/ (Accessed: 2023).
2. An interview with prof Khavinson (2011) Peptides Store. Available at: https://www.peptidesstore.com/blogs/articles/15207153-an-interview-with-prof-khavinson (Accessed: January 2023).
3. Markus Muttenthaler, et al. “Trends in peptide drug discovery,” Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2021 Apr;20(4):309-325.
4. Andy Chi-Lung Lee, et al. “A Comprehensive Review on Current Advances in Peptide Drug Development and Design,” Int J Mol Sci. 2019 May 14;20(10):2383.
5. Powell, M. (2018) “At the heart of a vast doping network, an alias,” The New York Times. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/26/sports/doping-thomas-mann-peptides.html (Accessed: 2023).
6. Interview with Ryan Smith, February 2, 2020.
7. Greenfield, B. (2019) “Peptides Unveiled: The Best Peptide Stacks for Anti-Aging, Growth Hormone, Deep Sleep, Hair Loss, Enhanced Cognition & Much More!” Ben Greenfield Life. Available at: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/podcast/supplements-podcasts/what-are-peptides/ (Accessed: 2023).