The bodybuilding sport is all about the glossy, ripped physiques that can fetch a Sandow trophy on the Mr. Olympia stage. However, building an ultra-conditioned muscle mass isn’t simple for bodybuilders. While one cannot undermine the importance of training and diet rituals, supplement intake is crucial to streamline the process. The most common supplement to be found in a bodybuilder’s daily nutrient intake is peptides. 

While peptides have multiple uses for anti-aging, skin health, disease prevention, and weight loss, bodybuilders primarily rely on them for their ability to rampant muscle growth. They are seen as alternatives to steroids to stimulate hormones that can enhance the growth of the muscular tissue in the body. But what are peptides? 

Peptides: The bodybuilder’s favorite weapon

The body needs crucial nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids for growth and survival, and the life of bodybuilders revolves around the protein content in their diet. Proteins are made up of micro elements called amino acids, which are of two kinds, essential and non-essential. While the body doesn’t require intake of non-essential amino acids, it demands essential amino acids from the external environment. Once equipped with the building blocks, the body synthesizes peptides. 

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So, peptides are a short chain of amino acids, ideally consisting of 50 amino acids. It would be interesting to note that amino acid chains longer than 50 subunits are categorized as proteins. Hence, our body produces peptides that help in various biological pathways. However, scientists can synthesize peptides in laboratories to avail various advantages of peptides. 

Artificial or Natural: Peptides can be both

Peptides are naturally synthesized in human, plant, and animal bodies. So, one can find these muscle-building molecules in plant sources like beans, whole grains, and lentils and animal sources like fish, eggs, dairy, and whole grains. However, given its pharmaceutical importance, manufacturers often isolate these peptide extracts or synthesize them by combining amino acids in a specific sequence, as per Healthline. How do they function in the body to enhance muscle growth? 

Functionality of peptides to stimulate muscle growth

Peptides resemble hormones and other messenger compounds in the body that can bind to receptors influencing biological pathways. For example, the Human Growth Hormone in individuals is at high levels in childhood to facilitate growth and depletes with age. The hormone produced by the pituitary gland also plays a prominent role in muscle growth. So, peptide groups like Growth hormone secretagogues peptides (GHS) can stimulate growth hormone secretion in adults. 

The growth hormone stimulates the liver to produce insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The IGF-1, in turn, stimulates the production of muscle protein to enhance muscle growth. So, bodybuilders take a keen interest in such peptides that are directly associated with muscle growth. 

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Apart from stimulating factors to promote muscle growth, peptides can also interfere with hormones or compounds that hinder fat loss or muscle growth. For example, high cortisol levels can prevent muscle growth or loss of belly fat. So, the intake of peptides that can interfere with high cortisol production can help in muscle growth. However, peptides alone won’t do the bodybuilding magic. 

The short-chain amino acids are just complementary

For peptides to produce positive results, one should not compromise on lifting heavy at the gym and eating clean. Sufficient calorie and protein intake complemented with proper recovery periods will help bodybuilders on peptides to witness desired results. Despite being performance-enhancing compounds, peptides are less efficient and less risky than anabolic steroids. So, what is the safety quotient of peptides? 

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The bone of contention

While bodybuilders want to believe that intake of peptides poses minimal harm to the body, scientists believe that research on the effects of peptides in the body is still not completely understood. The onset of peptides into the bodybuilding arena is a recent phenomenon, and it would be safe to not overdo any substance that meddles with the body’s biological pathways. 

As peptides interfere with hormone synthesis in the body, regulating their intake would help in a long and healthy life. The reported side effects of GHS are elevated blood sugar levels, fluid retention, and increased appetite. As per Healthline, GHS can also lower insulin sensitivity, affecting normal blood sugar levels. One should note that only a few GHSs are on the approved list of the Food and Drug Administration. They are also prohibited substances, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency. 

Do professional bodybuilders rely on peptides? 

The answer is yes! Many bodybuilders depend upon performance-enhanced drugs to compete at the elite bodybuilding shows, including Mr. Olympia. The Quad Stomp, Jay Cutler, who earned four Sandow trophies, accepted to have taken peptides during his bodybuilding prime to stimulate muscle growth. While speaking with IFBB Pro coach Greg Doucette, “I actually took that. That could increase your hunger” Cutler confessed regarding GHRP-6.

The bodybuilding sport has evolved so much that most of the muscle gains of professional bodybuilders are no longer natural. While it has become almost universal to depend on PEDs, one should not do it without proper medical supervision. But going natty is always safe to lead a healthy and happy life. Don’t you think so? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below.