Lecture 90: Peptides & Metabolism - Fat Loss, Muscle Growth, and Hormones Explained with Dr. Bikman

Dr. Bikman’s Metabolic Classroom lecture this week explores peptides and their effects on metabolism, fat loss, muscle growth, and overall health. Ben begins by defining peptides as short chains of amino acids that act as signaling molecules in the body. While some peptides occur naturally, others are synthetically developed for therapeutic purposes. He explains that peptides are gaining popularity in fitness, anti-aging, and metabolic health, influencing fat loss, muscle repair, insulin sensitivity, and even skin regeneration. He also introduces collagen peptides, highlighting their unexpected metabolic benefits, including their influence on GLP-1 and gut microbiome health. Ben then categorizes peptides based on their primary functions. For fat loss, peptides like CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin work by stimulating growth hormone and IGF-1, promoting fat breakdown while preserving muscle mass. Another peptide, Melanotan-2, originally known for increasing melanin, has been found to suppress appetite by affecting the melanocortin system. He also discusses peptides like Ipamorelin, which help enhance muscle recovery and growth by selectively increasing growth hormone secretion without affecting other pituitary hormones. In the anti-aging and skin health category, Thymosin Beta-4 stands out for its ability to enhance wound healing and tissue repair. Dr. Bikman also highlights the unexpected metabolic role of collagen peptides, explaining how they can increase GLP-1 levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and even activate AMPK, a crucial metabolic regulator involved in fat breakdown and cellular repair. Finally, he touches on how peptides are administered—most commonly via subcutaneous injections, though some peptides can be absorbed sublingually or applied topically. He cautions that not all peptides are created equal, warning against low-quality or counterfeit products. Ben emphasizes the need for high-quality sourcing and careful monitoring, as some peptides affect hormone levels and require medical supervision. Dr. Bikman concludes that peptides hold immense potential for metabolic health, fitness, and longevity, but should be used wisely and responsibly. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references referred to in this episode, we invite you to become a Ben Bikman Insider subscriber. As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A with Ben, ad-free Metabolic Classroom Podcast episodes, show notes and references, Ben’s Research Reviews Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com (Auto-Translate Note: You can click the gear icon at the bottom of this video to auto-translate captions. For example, to translate into Polish, select Subtitles, choose Auto-Translate, then first choose English, then choose Auto-Translate again, then choose Polish.) #Peptides #MetabolicHealth #FatLoss #MuscleGrowth #CollagenPeptides #InsulinResistance #Hormones #GrowthHormone #CJC1295 #Tesamorelin #Ipamorelin #AntiAging #SkinHealth #Longevity #DrBenBikman #MetabolicScience #GLP1 #MuscleRecovery #GutHealth #PeptideTherapy Timestamps (approximate): 00:01 - Introduction: What Are Peptides & Why Do They Matter? 02:07 - How Peptides Influence Metabolism & Fat Loss 04:26 - Growth Hormone & Fat-Burning Peptides (CJC-1295, Tesamorelin) 06:44 - Melanotan-2: Appetite Suppression & Metabolic Effects 08:52 - Muscle Growth & Recovery Peptides (BPC-157, Ipamorelin) 12:25 - Peptides for Skin Health, Anti-Aging & Wound Healing 14:43 - The Unexpected Metabolic Benefits of Collagen Peptides 17:41 - How Peptides Are Administered: Injections, Sublingual, Topical 20:24 - Safety Considerations: Quality, Sourcing, & Monitoring 21:36 - The Future of Peptides in Metabolic Health & Longevity Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://www.americanketone.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite dress shirts and pants: https://toughapparel.com/?ref=40 (use BEN10 for 10% off) Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd Learn more about becoming an Insider on our website: https://www.benbikman.com