What to know about the "wild, wild West" of viral peptide health claims
CBSN
In certain corners of the internet, peptides can fix just about anything. Edited by Paula Cohen In:
In certain corners of the internet, peptides can fix just about anything.
Some popular videos claim they can help repair DNA, offer nerve relief and accelerate wound healing. Others promise shiny hair and lower stress levels. Scroll long enough, and it seems peptides are practically a cure-all. Peptide "stacks" offer customized combinations. "Biohacking" with peptides can allegedly make existing bodily functions work better. Search "peptides" on Instagram and videos of "peptide transformations" and dramatic visual before-and-afters pop up.
But in reality, these types of claims are not backed by reliable data, and the formulas are not guaranteed to be safe.
Here's what to know about peptides, their safety, and where the viral health claims come from.
Peptides are short strings of amino acids, linked by chemical bonds, CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook explained on "CBS Mornings." Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and do everything from breaking down food to making chemicals in the brain. Peptides can affect the way the body functions at a cellular level, LaPook said.
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