Reference

Glossary

Definitions of key terms in hormone optimization, peptide therapy, weight management, and longevity science. From autophagy to visceral fat.

Adipose tissue

Body fat tissue that stores energy, produces hormones, and plays a central role in metabolic health.

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Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, critical for tissue repair, wound healing, and tumor growth.

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Autophagy

The cellular process of recycling damaged organelles and proteins, activated by fasting and certain compounds, and linked to longevity.

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BDNF

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a protein that supports the survival, growth, and differentiation of neurons and is linked to cognitive function and mood.

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Bioidentical hormones

Hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the human body, used in hormone replacement therapy for menopause, andropause, and optimization.

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BPC-157

Body Protection Compound-157, a synthetic peptide derived from human gastric juice, studied extensively for tissue healing, gut repair, and neuroprotection.

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Category 1 peptide

A peptide classification allowing legal compounding by licensed pharmacies and prescribing by physicians in the United States.

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Category 2 peptide

A peptide classification currently restricting compounding by pharmacies, though several Category 2 peptides are expected to be reclassified to Category 1.

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CGM

Continuous glucose monitor, a wearable device that tracks blood sugar levels in real time, used for diabetes management and metabolic optimization.

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CJC-1295

A growth hormone-releasing hormone analog often paired with ipamorelin to stimulate natural growth hormone production for recovery, body composition, and anti-aging.

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Compounding pharmacy

A licensed pharmacy that custom-prepares medications to individual prescriptions, including peptides, hormones, and formulations not commercially available.

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Cortisol

The primary stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands, essential for survival but harmful when chronically elevated, causing weight gain, brain fog, and immune suppression.

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DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, a precursor hormone produced by the adrenal glands that converts to testosterone and estrogen, declining significantly with age.

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E-E-A-T

Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, the framework Google uses to evaluate content quality for health and medical topics.

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Epigenetics

The study of heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence itself, influenced by environment, lifestyle, and aging.

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Estradiol

The most potent form of estrogen, produced primarily by the ovaries, critical for bone health, cardiovascular function, brain health, and reproductive function.

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Free testosterone

The unbound, biologically active fraction of testosterone in the blood, representing 1-3% of total testosterone and directly available for cellular use.

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GHK-Cu

A naturally occurring copper peptide with over 4,000 documented bioactivities, used for skin regeneration, wound healing, hair growth, and anti-aging.

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GLP-1

Glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and blood sugar, and the target of weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide.

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Growth hormone

A pituitary hormone essential for growth, body composition, cell repair, and metabolism, declining steadily after age 30.

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HRT

Hormone replacement therapy, the medical use of hormones to treat symptoms of menopause, andropause, or hormonal deficiency.

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IGF-1

Insulin-like growth factor 1, a hormone produced in response to growth hormone that mediates many of GH's effects on tissue growth and repair.

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Insulin resistance

A metabolic condition in which cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar, weight gain, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

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Ipamorelin

A selective growth hormone secretagogue peptide that stimulates natural GH release without significantly affecting cortisol or prolactin levels.

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Longevity

The science and practice of extending healthy lifespan through interventions targeting the biological mechanisms of aging.

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Menopause

The permanent cessation of menstruation, typically occurring between ages 45-55, marked by declining estrogen and progesterone and a range of physical and cognitive symptoms.

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mTOR

Mechanistic target of rapamycin, a cellular pathway that regulates growth and metabolism, with inhibition linked to longevity in research models.

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NAD+

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme essential for cellular energy production and DNA repair that declines with age, targetable through IV therapy and supplements.

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Nootropics

Substances that enhance cognitive function including memory, focus, creativity, and motivation, ranging from supplements to prescription peptides.

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PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by insulin resistance, elevated androgens, and difficulty losing weight.

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PDE5 inhibitor

A class of medications that increase blood flow by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase type 5 enzyme, used for erectile dysfunction and sometimes prescribed off-label for other conditions.

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Peptide

A short chain of amino acids that acts as a signaling molecule in the body, used therapeutically for healing, hormone optimization, weight loss, and cognitive enhancement.

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Perimenopause

The transitional period before menopause, typically lasting 4-8 years, during which hormone levels fluctuate and menopause symptoms begin.

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Progesterone

A hormone essential for menstrual regulation, pregnancy, sleep, mood, and neuroprotection, required alongside estrogen in HRT for women with a uterus.

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PT-141

Bremelanotide, a peptide that acts on melanocortin receptors in the brain to improve sexual desire and arousal in both men and women.

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Rapamycin

An mTOR inhibitor originally developed as an immunosuppressant, now studied as a potential longevity drug due to lifespan extension observed in animal models.

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Retatrutide

A triple-agonist peptide targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, showing significant weight loss results in clinical trials and expected to be a next-generation obesity treatment.

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Semaglutide

A GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, available as branded Ozempic and Wegovy, and in compounded formulations.

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Senescent cells

Damaged cells that have stopped dividing but refuse to die, accumulating with age and secreting inflammatory factors that damage surrounding tissue.

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Semax

A synthetic peptide analog of ACTH that enhances BDNF production, supporting cognitive function, memory, focus, and neuroprotection.

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Sermorelin

A growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that stimulates natural GH production, currently the only legally compoundable GH peptide in the United States.

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SHBG

Sex hormone-binding globulin, a protein that binds testosterone and estrogen in the blood, reducing the amount of free, biologically active hormone available to tissues.

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Sirtuin

A family of proteins involved in cellular regulation, DNA repair, and metabolic function, activated by NAD+ and caloric restriction and linked to longevity.

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TB-500

A synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, a peptide involved in tissue repair, cell migration, and anti-inflammatory processes, often combined with BPC-157 for healing.

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Testosterone

The primary male sex hormone, also essential in women at lower levels, critical for muscle mass, bone density, libido, energy, mood, and cognitive function.

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Thyroid

A butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones controlling metabolism, energy, body temperature, heart rate, and weight regulation.

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Tirzepatide

A dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist for weight loss and diabetes, available as branded Mounjaro and Zepbound, showing greater weight loss than semaglutide in trials.

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TRT

Testosterone replacement therapy, the medical administration of testosterone to treat low testosterone levels, available via injection, gel, patch, or pellet.

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Visceral fat

Fat stored around internal organs in the abdominal cavity, metabolically active and strongly associated with insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammation.

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Yamanaka factors

A set of four transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) discovered by Shinya Yamanaka that can reprogram adult cells into pluripotent stem cells, with partial reprogramming being explored for age reversal.

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Medical disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician before starting any therapy.

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