Why arent the peptides found more in supplements if they are so great?

Expert response from GMOAnswers Admin_1

Tuesday, 17/05/2016 11:17

Peptides, which are relatively short chains of amino acids linked in a specific way, do not exert their biological effect if given by mouth since the acid and enzymes in the stomach and intestines break down the peptides into smaller two and three amino acid long peptides or individual amino acids. This destroys the peptides’ ability to exert their biological effects. However, the two and three amino acid peptides and individual amino acids resulting from the intestinal digestion would get absorbed and used for making protein, and other substances in the body. In other words, bioactive peptides taken by mouth would act just like any dietary protein for nutrition purposes.

For instance, insulin is a peptide, but it cannot exert its biological effect if eaten. Type I diabetics lack the ability to produce insulin normally, and must inject insulin to be able to have normal blood sugar metabolism. Insulin cannot be taken orally and still have an effect, because as indicated above, it will be digested into smaller peptides (2-3 amino acids long peptides) or single amino acids.

Additional information on this topic is also provided in the response my response to a similar question here and may help explain why peptides are not found in more supplements.