Informed Decisions Start Here

Peptides are short chains of amino acids joined by peptide bonds. Many occur naturally in the body, where some act as hormones or signalling molecules; insulin, for example, is a peptide hormone.

Being naturally occurring or 'peptide-based' does not make a substance safe or effective. Each compound must be evaluated on its own evidence.

Peptides and proteins are both made of amino acids. The distinction is mainly size: peptides are generally short chains (often under about 50 amino acids), while proteins are longer chains that fold into complex three-dimensional structures.

Scientific evidence comes in levels. Laboratory and animal studies help generate hypotheses. Human observational studies suggest associations. Randomised controlled trials, and systematic reviews of them, provide the strongest evidence that an intervention actually causes an effect.

A single study, however striking, rarely settles a question. Look for replication, sample size, control groups and independent review.

Preclinical research takes place in cells (in vitro) or animals (in vivo). Clinical research involves human volunteers, typically progressing through Phase 1 (safety), Phase 2 (dosing and early efficacy) and Phase 3 (large-scale efficacy and safety) trials.

Many compounds that look promising preclinically never succeed in human trials. A preclinical finding is not evidence that a compound works or is safe in people.

Quality testing can confirm a product's identity, purity and the absence of specific contaminants. It is performed by laboratories using methods such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry.

VITALORIA will only state quality or purity figures that are supported by genuine, lot-specific documentation.

A Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is a document from a laboratory reporting test results for a specific batch (lot) of a product. A useful CoA names the testing laboratory, the lot number, the test methods and the date.

A CoA applies only to the lot it describes. Where a product page shows no documentation, none has yet been verified.

In the United States, drugs must generally be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed for human use. Many peptides discussed online are not FDA-approved, and some have been the subject of FDA statements regarding compounding.

Labelling a product 'for research use only' does not make consumer sale lawful. That is why every Research Catalog entry on this site is shown as under review and is not available for purchase.