Our very own Naturopathic Doctor, Ken Chu, undergoes a 1-month treatment of LifeClinic’s peptide therapy. We sat down with him afterwards to get to the nitty gritty of how peptides work, and what the pros and cons were throughout the treatment.

Q: Why did you want to try peptide treatment?

When I started reading the research behind peptide therapy, I realized there are many benefits, many of which are specifically related to my health goals. So naturally I was curious. When I was offered the opportunity to try a round of peptide therapy as a self case-study I was intrigued to see what could or would happen to me. Throughout the process, I decided to collectively document how I was feeling, what I was experiencing (both the good and the bad!), and some data points from my wearables.

Q: How would you explain peptide therapy to your patients?

Peptides are amino acid compounds (building blocks of protein), that act as cell signalling molecules that tell the body what to do. They send out a huge range of signals, specifically metabolic, hormonal, or musculoskeletal messages to improve, fix, or modify their current situation. It’s an incredibly versatile treatment that has shown benefits for lots of different conditions.

Q: How did the peptide treatment process work?

Before starting the peptide therapy I took an ImmuniGen test. This test allowed me to see my ImmuniDex score, which measures my average telomere length.  This telomere length is a direct correlation to my immune health.  For the treatment, I was given a one month supply of peptide therapy called Enpytai from LifeClinic.  The instructions were simple. I received individual vials of liquid, which I took around bedtime every night.  I had an Oura ring to measure indices like my heart rate variability (HRV), sleep quality, and readiness for sleep, for example. Throughout the day, I would check in on my body and jot down any positive or negative symptoms.

Q: How did you feel during the treatment?

To be honest, I didn’t feel great especially the first few days. You might say, “you have to get worse before you get better”. Lethargy, fatigue, and brain fog were some of the main symptoms I was experiencing.  Loose stools and headaches were also a side-effect for the first 10 days but after that, they subsided and disappeared. I think it also depends on your lifestyle. With work, family, and raising two little twins, a hectic schedule can warrant a sense of normalcy, but in actuality, my body may have needed a break, or a nap even.  The peptides may have been giving the right biochemical signals for me to slow down, for me to process things better, and to let my body heal properly. It certainly made me slow down and yes, several naps were taken. Near the end of the therapy I was starting to enjoy the positives of the treatment, particularly clearing up my ongoing daily sinus issues and improving my focus and clarity during work.

Q: Were there any challenges during the treatment?

There weren’t very many challenges.  The peptide is easy to take, it’s a liquid that doesn’t taste bad.  The main challenge was remembering to take them.  I had a lapse of 1-2 days during the month. It was just a matter of habit forming for me.  I always tell my patients, if you have a routine, add to it. For example, you (hopefully) always brush your teeth before bed so take your supplements after you brush your teeth – combining habits is a great way to build the habit faster.

It was sometimes difficult to notice the subtleties and differences in my health during the month span but it helped to keep a log to remind myself to check in with how I’m doing each day.  Lastly, the beginning of the therapy was challenging with some of the symptoms I had, either from the adjustment from the peptides, or maybe my own sensitivities.  But like I said, it really made me slow down and take the rest that my body really needed.

Q: How did you feel after the treatment?

My nasal congestion and allergies subsided, which was great.  Almost every morning for years, I’ve had some nasal congestion or sneezing soon after waking.  It wasn’t like the symptoms just disappeared after the end of the month’s supply, but I noticed a gradual improvement where the congestion and sneezing diminished.  And then it just went away.  Until now, I don’t really have this problem anymore. There has been an occasional sneeze, but definitely the congestion is all gone. Every morning I wake up and everything is fine. It’s a much nicer way to start the day and I feel better knowing my immune system is more balanced.

Q: Would you do the therapy again?

Yes, I would do it again. I have a better understanding of it now with first-hand experience of what to expect, so I can better prepare for it.  Peptide therapy also works better after the age of 40 so now I’ve entered that age bracket it fits in with me more so now than before. Our internal cell signalling machinery hinders with age, so as we get older, it’s more important to get these signals in to aid in our anti-aging efforts.

Ken Chu, Naturopathic Doctor

Ken J. Chu is a practicing naturopathic doctor and a board member of the Integrated Association of Naturopaths in Hong Kong. After obtaining his Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences, Ken then graduated from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto. Ken practices a holistic healing approach, using a combined approach of clinical nutrition, homeopathy, and herbal medicines to address the root causes of his patients’ problems.