Peptide Research Glossary

The time it takes for half a dose to clear the body. Engineered peptides often extend a natural hormone’s short half-life into days.

A short chain of amino acids — the same building blocks as proteins, just fewer of them. The body produces thousands as signaling molecules.

A molecule that binds a receptor and activates it, mimicking the body’s natural signal. Most therapeutic peptides work this way.

A compound that prompts the body to release more of its own hormone, rather than supplying the hormone directly.

Injected into the fat layer just under the skin — the most common route for peptide therapeutics.

A second incretin hormone targeted alongside GLP-1 in newer dual-agonist therapies.

A gut hormone released after eating that curbs appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves insulin response.

A long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with extensive human trials for weight loss, glycemic control, and cardiovascular outcomes.

A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist showing large weight-loss and metabolic effects in randomized trials.

A synthetic peptide with promising rodent data for tendon and gut healing, but essentially no controlled human trials.

A copper-binding peptide studied for skin and wound applications, with more topical than systemic evidence.

Studied preclinically for tissue repair and angiogenesis; human evidence is minimal.

The portion of life spent in good health, free of chronic disease — distinct from total lifespan.

A coenzyme central to energy metabolism; the longevity case rests on strong mechanisms and developing human data.

The maximum rate of oxygen use during exercise — one of the strongest modifiable predictors of all-cause mortality.

Beat-to-beat variation in heart rate, used as a smoothed signal of recovery and autonomic balance.