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The Peptide Podcast

The Peptide Podcast

De: The Peptide Queen
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The Peptide Podcast is on a mission to help people enjoy making decisions about their health and wellness. Staying informed with our SIMPLE, FAST, FUN approach. We keep you up-to-date on everything peptides. From disease management and prevention to performance health, anti-aging strategies, and more. We give you accurate, unbiased information so you can choose the peptides that suit YOU best. In our casual and easy-to-understand style, we’ll help you save time and energy for what matters most. About the host: Our experienced clinical pharmacist, The Peptide Queen, knows all too well that the internet is flawed, confusing, and hard to navigate. She has over 14 years of experience in retail, hospital, and specialty pharmacy, with certifications in peptide therapy, international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She’s passionate about helping you stay informed, save time, and feel less overwhelmed by the amount of information (or misinformation) on the internet.This website and its content are copyright of The Peptide Podcast - All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited. Actividad Física, Dietas y Nutrición Ejercicio y Actividad Física Higiene y Vida Saludable Medicina Alternativa y Complementaria
Episodios
  • MythBusting GLP-1s: TRUTH About Weight Loss Medications
    Aug 14 2025
    Thank you for listening to The Peptide Podcast. If you enjoyed the show and want to support what we do, head over to our Partners Page. You'll find some amazing brands we trust—and by checking them out, you're helping us keep the podcast going. Today, we’re diving into one of the most talked-about topics in health and weight loss right now: GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and the newer dual GIP/GLP-1s like tirzepatide. You’ve probably seen the headlines, scrolled past a few TikToks, or heard a friend mention it — but with all that noise comes a lot of confusion, half-truths, and flat-out myths. Today we’re breaking it all down. What’s real? What’s hype? And what do you actually need to know if you're using these medications — or thinking about it? Let’s separate science from scare tactics and get to the truth, one myth at a time. Myth #1: GLP-1s Cause Dangerous Muscle Loss The claim: “GLP-1s cause massive muscle loss.” Truth: This is an overstatement. Some loss of lean mass is normal with any kind of weight loss — whether it’s through diet, medication, or surgery. What studies show is that with medications like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), about 20–25% of the total weight lost comes from lean mass, and the rest is fat — which is exactly what we’re targeting in obesity treatment. That 20–25% figure isn’t unique to these meds; it’s actually pretty typical in weight loss without focused resistance training or optimized protein intake. You may also hear “You’ll lose all your muscle and become frail on GLP-1s.” Truth: You won’t “lose all your muscle.” In fact, muscle loss is preventable by maintaining adequate protein intake, resistance training, and managing weight loss pace. Furthermore, many patients gain strength and mobility as excess weight comes off. And lastly, my favorite myth is “You can’t preserve muscle on GLP-1s.” Truth: That’s completely false — muscle loss isn’t inevitable on GLP-1s if you take the right approach. You can absolutely preserve muscle by making a few intentional choices: aim for enough protein each day (a good goal is around 0.8 grams per pound of body weight), include some strength or resistance training a couple times a week, and avoid losing weight too quickly. These simple steps go a long way in protecting your lean mass while still getting all the benefits of weight loss. One study on semaglutide showed that people lost an average of about 15% of their body weight, and only around 3–4% of that was lean mass. So if someone drops 30 pounds, maybe 6 to 8 of those pounds might be lean mass—not ideal, but definitely not disastrous either, and very manageable with the right lifestyle habits. The truth is, while some lean mass loss is expected with any type of weight loss, research shows that most of the weight lost on GLP-1s is actually fat, not muscle. For example, in the STEP 1 trial, about 80% of the weight lost on semaglutide came from fat, and only about 20% from lean tissue (as we mentioned earlier). The SURMOUNT-1 trial with tirzepatide showed similar results—significant fat loss with relatively preserved muscle, especially when paired with resistance training. And that’s important, because preserving muscle during weight loss helps protect metabolism, strength, and overall health. With good nutrition and movement, GLP-1s can lead to healthier body composition—not just a lower number on the scale. Okay, moving along to the next myth … Myth #2: GLP-1s Can Cause Blindness The truth: This myth stems from concerns about diabetic retinopathy worsening, which is tied to how quickly blood sugar drops, not to the drug itself. In the SUSTAIN-6 trial (Marso et al., NEJM, 2016), a small subset of patients with pre-existing advanced diabetic retinopathy saw transient worsening—but only in those with rapid improvements in A1c. No increased rates of blindness or new-onset retinopathy have been found in non-diabetic patients using GLP-1s for weight loss. The bottom line is that those without advanced diabetic eye disease, there’s no increased risk of blindness. Patients with diabetic retinopathy should be monitored closely—but this is about glycemic management, not a direct effect of the medication. Myth #3: GLP-1s Cause Kidney or Liver Damage The truth: This is false. In fact, GLP-1 agonists may protect kidney and liver function—especially in patients with diabetes or fatty liver disease. The most recent notable study showing kidney‑protective effects of a GLP‑1 receptor agonist is the FLOW trial, which evaluated semaglutide in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This double‑blind, randomized, placebo‑controlled trial included 3,533 participants followed for a median of 3.4 years and found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney‑related events—including kidney failure, substantial eGFR decline, and death from renal or ...
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    17 m
  • Beyond Blood Sugar: Metformin’s Surprising Promise
    Aug 7 2025
    Thank you for listening to The Peptide Podcast. If you enjoyed the show and want to support what we do, head over to our Partners Page. You'll find some amazing brands we trust—and by checking them out, you're helping us keep the podcast going. Today we’re switching gears a bit to talk about a medication rather than a peptide — metformin. If you’re someone who’s interested in peptides for metabolic health or inflammation, you’ve probably heard metformin mentioned alongside them. It’s been around for decades as a diabetes medication, but recently it’s gaining attention for its potential benefits beyond blood sugar, including longevity, inflammation, and neuroprotection — even in people who don't have diabetes. Let’s get into it. Metformin and Longevity Can metformin really help us live longer? One of the biggest sparks came from a 2014 study published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, where researchers found that diabetics on metformin actually lived longer than non-diabetics not taking the medication. The authors suggested that metformin may offer protective benefits beyond glucose control, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and slowing cellular aging. This inspired the launch of the TAME trial—short for Targeting Aging with Metformin—which is designed to test whether metformin can delay the onset of age-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. While results are still pending, it’s the first large-scale effort to study aging as a treatable condition, not just a process. Inflammation and Immunometabolism Next up: inflammation. Chronic low-grade inflammation is at the root of so many health issues—heart disease, dementia, even depression. Metformin appears to blunt systemic inflammation by activating AMPK. Think of AMPK as a metabolic master switch that lowers inflammatory signaling. A 2021 review published in Pharmacological Research found that metformin can inhibit NF-κB, a major pathway that drives inflammation. It also helped lower levels of CRP—a protein made by the liver that rises when there’s inflammation from things like infection, injury, or chronic disease—and IL-6, another immune system protein commonly elevated in chronic inflammatory conditions. Because of these anti-inflammatory effects, researchers have been exploring metformin’s potential in conditions beyond diabetes, including autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis (MS), PCOS, and even COVID—where it’s been linked to lower mortality in patients with diabetes. Brain Health and Neuroprotection What about the brain? Can metformin help protect against cognitive decline? There’s some promising data here too. A 2017 study in Aging Cell found that metformin improved neurogenesis in the hippocampus of aged mice—basically, helping old brains grow new neurons. In 2019 a cohort study in JAMA Network reported that people with type 2 diabetes taking metformin had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those not taking it. Mechanisms may include reduced insulin resistance in the brain, less oxidative stress, and—again—AMPK activation, which promotes mitochondrial health and energy production. Still, human trials are mixed, and more controlled research is needed before we can call it a “smart drug.” Lower Cancer Risk So, here’s an interesting one—can metformin actually lower the risk of cancer? Well, the short answer is: maybe. People with diabetes tend to have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, so part of metformin’s benefit could just come from better managing blood sugar and insulin levels. But what’s really exciting is that researchers think metformin might do even more than that. There’s evidence suggesting it could have direct effects on cancer cells—like slowing down their growth or making the environment less friendly for tumors. Some studies have found lower rates of cancers like breast, colon, and prostate in people taking metformin. Now, this isn’t a magic bullet or anything, but it’s a promising area of research that’s getting a lot of attention. So metformin might be pulling double duty: managing diabetes and potentially helping reduce cancer risk through other mechanisms we’re still learning about. Metabolic Health for Non-Diabetics Now here’s where it gets controversial—should healthy people without diabetes be taking metformin? Some researchers argue yes, especially for people with metabolic syndrome, prediabetes, or high inflammation. Metformin improves insulin sensitivity, reduces liver glucose production, and may even support modest weight loss. That said, there are tradeoffs. Metformin can cause stomach-related side effects (e.g., nausea, gas, heartburn, and diarrhea) and vitamin B12 deficiency (which may lead to nerve damage). It can also cause extreme fatigue. Metformin may sometimes cause sexual side effects, like erectile dysfunction in men. Some studies suggest it might ...
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    6 m
  • Peptides For Brain Fog
    Jul 31 2025
    Thank you for listening to The Peptide Podcast. If you enjoyed the show and want to support what we do, head over to our Partners Page. You'll find some amazing brands we trust—and by checking them out, you're helping us keep the podcast going. If you’ve ever felt like your head was stuck in a cloud, your thoughts were moving in slow motion, or you walk into a room and forget why you’re there, you’re not alone. Brain fog is real—and it can seriously mess with your productivity, your mood, and even your confidence. Today we’re going to talk about what brain fog actually is, what causes it, as well as peptides and natural strategies you can use to help. Let’s get into it. What is Brain Fog? “Brain fog” isn’t a medical term, but it is a very real experience. It describes a cluster of symptoms—like forgetfulness, poor concentration, mental fatigue, and lack of clarity. Some people say they feel like they’re walking through mud mentally. Others describe it as feeling “off” or like their brain is buffering. Now, this isn’t the same as full-blown cognitive impairment or dementia—it’s more like your brain is just tired or underperforming. Common Causes of Brain Fog So, what’s really behind that cloudy-headed feeling we call brain fog? It turns out, there are several common culprits—and a lot of them have to do with how your body and brain are (or aren’t) being supported. First up, poor sleep. Honestly, this one’s a biggie. Sleep is when your brain takes out the trash—literally clearing out toxins, locking in memories, and resetting for the day ahead. Without enough deep, restful sleep, you’re basically trying to function on a low battery. That grogginess, forgetfulness, or lack of focus? All classic signs your brain didn’t get the cleanup it needed. Then there’s chronic stress. When you’re constantly juggling demands and pressures, your body stays in “fight-or-flight” mode, pumping out cortisol. In the short term, that’s fine. But when cortisol stays high for too long, it can actually shrink the hippocampus—the part of your brain responsible for memory and focus. Not ideal. Inflammation is another sneaky cause. When you're eating a lot of processed foods, sugar, or unhealthy fats—or dealing with gut imbalances—it can spark low-grade inflammation that messes with how your brain cells communicate. That can slow you down mentally, make it harder to focus, and leave you feeling mentally sluggish. Let’s not forget about blood sugar swings. If your day looks like coffee and a muffin, then nothing until a big lunch, then a sugary snack mid-afternoon…your blood sugar is on a rollercoaster. And your brain feels it. That foggy, irritable crash? Yeah, that’s part of the ride. Hormonal changes can also play a big role—especially during menopause, andropause, thyroid imbalances, or even monthly cycle shifts. Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones all impact brain chemistry, and when they fluctuate, your concentration, energy, and memory can take a hit. We also have nutrient deficiencies to consider. Your brain needs specific nutrients to thrive—things like B12, magnesium, omega-3s, and vitamin D. If you’re low in any of these (which is more common than you’d think), it can show up as brain fog, low mood, or trouble focusing. And finally, there’s post-viral fatigue. If you’ve had something like COVID or the flu recently, you might notice it takes a while to bounce back mentally. That’s because your immune system may still be in overdrive, and your brain’s trying to recover right along with the rest of you. Oh—and a quick shoutout to medications and alcohol. Some meds (like antihistamines, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety drugs) can definitely slow your thinking. And even moderate alcohol, especially over time, messes with memory and focus—sometimes even the next day. So if your brain’s been feeling a little off lately, it might be worth looking at one—or a few—of these areas to start clearing the fog. Peptides That Help Brain Fog If you’ve been struggling with long-term brain fog, there are a few peptides that might be worth exploring. Semax and Selank —both originally developed in Russia—are known for their brain-boosting benefits. Semax supports memory, focus, and stress resilience, while Selank works more on the anxiety and mood side by targeting the GABA system, without causing drowsiness. Then there’s Dihexa, a powerful nootropic that helps increase BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which plays a key role in growing and strengthening brain cell connections. Cerebrolysin is another option—it’s a more complex peptide that’s often used in cases of brain injury or cognitive decline, though it can be harder to get. And finally, BPC-157, best known for healing gut and muscle tissue, also has some neuroprotective effects and might support brain health by calming systemic inflammation. ...
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    8 m
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