Podcast Summary: The mindbodygreen Podcast

Episode 636: The Ultimate Guide to Peptides | Elizabeth Yurth, M.D.
Date: February 8, 2026
Host: Jason Wachob
Guest: Dr. Elizabeth Yurth

Episode Overview

In this insightful conversation, Jason Wachob sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Yurth—regenerative and functional medicine pioneer—to demystify the rapidly growing world of peptides. Together, they separate hype from science, explain the types and uses of peptides, explore synergy with hormone replacement (especially for women in midlife), and discuss peptides’ potential for brain health and inflammation. Dr Yurth stresses the importance of quality sourcing, personalized approaches, and why peptides are never a silver-bullet solution but rather a targeted tool for those already laying solid foundations in health.

What Are Peptides and Why Do They Matter?

[01:01–03:07]

• Definition: Peptides are small chains of amino acids (typically 2–48), smaller than proteins, and act as precise signaling molecules in the body.
  • "Think of them as just signaling molecules in your body…very specific messages..." — Dr. Yurth [01:20]
• Types:
  • Endogenous peptides: Naturally made by our body, involved in recovery, immune system, growth, etc.
  • Exogenous peptides: Synthesized, often mimic endogenous function or have lab-identified benefits.
• Analogy: Just as some replace hormones as we age, Dr. Yurth champions considering peptide replacement.

Key Peptide Categories & Clinical Favorites

[03:07–06:56]

• Growth Hormone Secretagogues: Top of Dr. Yurth’s list for aging support.
  • Unlike taking growth hormone directly (which can create non-physiological sustained high levels), secretagogues like CJC, Tesamorelin, and Ipamorelin encourage natural cycling of growth hormone.
    • "So kind of top of the list...if you’re looking at things to keep your body functioning well as you age..." — Dr. Yurth [03:36]
• Use cases:
  • Muscle building, bone healing, brain and immune health.
  • Particularly beneficial in people with low IGF, sleep disturbances, immune dysfunction, or difficulty building muscle (even on hormone therapy).

Peptide Hype, Risks, and the Social Media Explosion

[06:56–10:32]

• Dr. Yurth warns against the "magic bullet" mentality dominating online discussions where people self-prescribe, often without addressing root health causes or getting lab work first.
• "It's kind of an art to use peptides appropriately...not doing them with the best benefit they could get from." — Dr. Yurth [07:32, 09:27]
• BPC 157:
  • Highly popular, largely warranted due to broad healing and neuroprotective potential.
  • Safe in animal studies, but effectiveness depends on overall health context (micronutrients, hormones, etc. must be optimized).
  • “They’re not the base. They’re extremely helpful...but they’re not going to do it alone.” — Dr. Yurth [10:20]

Quality Sourcing & The Dangers of DIY Peptide Use

[10:46–15:41]

• Compounding Pharmacies vs. Research Peptides:
  • Compounding pharmacies: Regulated, sterile, reliable (even if the actual peptides are not FDA approved, the process is).
  • Research peptides: Lax standards, COA (certificate of analysis) may not meaningfully guarantee safety or content, legally not for human use.
  • Contamination and dosing inconsistencies are risks.
  • "So the facilities are protecting themselves...we can't be using these so nonchalantly." — Dr. Yurth [12:55]
• Real-World Consequences:
  • Conference example where improper peptide use led to serious adverse reactions.
  • The rapid unregulated expansion of the peptide industry is concerning for practitioners.

Peptides and Women in Midlife: Integration with HRT

[16:49–20:53]

• Dr. Yurth’s approach: Replace what's lost with age—not just hormones but also key peptides.
  • Thymic peptides (Thymosin Alpha 1 and Thymosin Beta 4)—crucial for immune health—decline with age.
• Future Paradigm: Combining thoughtful HRT and peptide supplementation could optimize aging and immune resilience, but physician education must improve.
• "Healthy aging is going to rely on replacing those things we've lost: hormones and peptides.” — Dr. Yurth [18:52]

Peptides for Cognitive Health & Reducing Neuroinflammation

[20:53–29:01]

• Estrogen’s paramount role in brain health; some peptides add to this.
• Neuroinflammation is the primary problem in cognitive decline, not just classical Alzheimer’s pathology.
• Peptide interventions:
  • Cinat/Cenat (nasal peptides from Russia): Direct-acting anti-inflammatory for the brain.
  • Cerebrolysin (IV, not approved in US): Used widely in Europe/Asia for dementia, TBI, stroke; stimulates new brain cells.
  • Cycle combinations: Reduce inflammation, boost focus, promote neurogenesis.
  • COVID-induced neuroinflammation is a current reality; peptide strategies may play a protective or reparative role.
• "Every disease across the board…those are all neuroinflammatory diseases. The brain is inflamed." — Dr. Yurth [21:35]

Clinical Use: Who Seeks Peptides, For What, And How to Prioritize?

[29:33–36:06]

• Most see Dr. Yurth for:
  • Musculoskeletal issues (from her orthopedics background).
  • Athletic optimization.
  • Chronic cases where conventional treatments failed.
• Top peptides (in addition to GH secretagogues and BPC 157):
  • GLP-1 Agonists: Not just for weight loss, but for immune health, healing, and possibly cognitive protection (when properly used; key is adequate protein and hydration).
    • "The GLP1s are going to kind of float to that top of the list." — Dr. Yurth [33:31]
  • Thymosin Alpha 1: Potent immune system support.
  • Thymosin Beta 4: Repair and regeneration, cautious in active cancer.
  • Mitochondrial peptides (e.g., SS31): Vital for energy, especially post-virus or with aging mitochondria.

Cautions, Nuances, and Who Should Not Use Peptides

[36:06–38:24]

• Avoid certain peptides (e.g., Thymosin Beta 4, GH secretagogues) in active cancer unless managed by an expert.
• Some people are simply intolerant of specific peptides.
• Above all: Do not self-prescribe!
  • “Can you climb Mount Everest by yourself? Yeah. It’s going to be really tough...We call ourselves Sherpas.” — Dr. Yurth [37:40]

Wise Peptide Use: Cycling, Not Continuous Dosing

[38:24–39:11]

• Many peptides work well in cycles, not as permanent daily regimens.
  • Example: Cycle immune and repair peptides through the year to maintain health and minimize injection burden.
  • Some peptides (e.g. low-dose GLP-1s) can be safely taken more regularly.

Foundational Lifestyle Advice: Nutrition First

[39:11–41:46]

• Protein-forward diet: 1–1.5 grams per pound of lean body mass—much higher than most realize.
  • Majority of patients under consume without realizing.
• Hydration: Massively underrated; becomes even more critical with interventions like GLP-1s.
  • Specialized hydration products (e.g., Isol Water, adds amino acids creating an “osmotic push” into cells) can help.
• Beware of over-restrictive dieting and fasting, especially for lean individuals and those prone to muscle loss.
  • “If you had one rule, it would be making sure your protein intake is there…” — Dr. Yurth [39:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They’re not magic. Right. They look magical on Instagram, but they’re not magic.” — Dr. Yurth [10:42]
• “We have to get physicians much more understanding the science, the biochemical pathways behind this, how to use it in the right way, appropriately.” — Dr. Yurth [18:00]
• “Every disease across the board…those are all neuroinflammatory diseases. The brain is inflamed.” — Dr. Yurth [21:35]
• “Can you climb Mount Everest by yourself? Yeah. It’s going to be really tough...We call ourselves Sherpas.” — Dr. Yurth [37:40]
• “If you had one thing, just one thing you could do, it would probably be ketones.” — Dr. Yurth [41:52] (hinting at a future episode topic)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Peptide basics and types: [01:01–03:07]
• GH secretagogues & clinical use cases: [03:07–06:56]
• Dangers of self-prescribing, BPC 157 hype: [06:56–10:32]
• Quality sourcing & real-world risks: [10:46–15:41]
• Women, midlife, HRT, and peptide synergy: [16:49–20:53]
• Cognitive health and post-COVID neuroinflammation: [20:53–29:01]
• Clinical priorities: Which peptides, for whom?: [29:33–36:06]
• Who should NOT use peptides—nuances and Sherpa analogy: [36:06–38:24]
• On cycling peptides and not staying on forever: [38:24–39:11]
• Lifestyle pillars: protein, hydration, fasting tips: [39:11–41:46]
• Future topics teaser (ketones & Pentosan Polysulfate): [41:52–42:32]

Conclusion

Dr. Yurth offers a masterclass in peptide therapy: these molecules are a promising frontier when integrated with foundational health strategies—never as a replacement for basics like nutrition, sleep, and hormone balance. Peptides require personalized, nuanced use under expert supervision, ideally by practitioners who commit to both safety and scientific rigor. For healthy aging, peptides (and the practitioners who understand them deeply) may be the next leap after hormone replacement, especially as we face modern challenges like chronic inflammation and neurodegenerative risk.

(Ketones and new osteoarthritis therapies remain on the docket for future episodes!)