Heal Your Gut, Fix Your Joints & Glow Up Your Skin: Your Peptide Guide with Kyal Van Der Leest

Why It Matters

Understanding peptide delivery mechanisms helps consumers avoid ineffective or unsafe supplements, while guiding the industry toward higher‑quality, gut‑focused products that can meaningfully impact immunity and chronic disease management.

Key Takeaways

• Oral peptides generally ineffective due to digestive degradation.
• Injectable peptides deliver full amino‑acid sequence, but are painful.
• BPC‑157 and GHK‑Cu can be formulated for oral absorption.
• Poor quality control among online peptide sellers poses safety risks.
• Gut health underpins immunity; peptides may support autoimmune recovery.

Summary

The episode of "Better with Dr. Stephanie" dives deep into the world of peptides, contrasting oral and injectable formats while highlighting their roles in gut health, joint repair, and skin rejuvenation. Host Dr. Stephanie Steema and guest Kyle Vanderle, founder of Level Up Health, unpack the science behind popular peptides such as GLP‑1 analogues, BPC‑157, and GHK‑Cu, and explain why the gut lining is central to immune function and autoimmune disease resolution. Key insights include the assertion that most oral peptides are destroyed by stomach acid and proteolytic enzymes, limiting their bioavailability. Only small molecules like BPC‑157 (especially the arginate form) and GHK‑Cu can survive long enough to be absorbed, often via delayed‑release capsules or liposomal delivery. Injectable peptides bypass digestive barriers, delivering the full amino‑acid chain, but introduce pain, reconstitution challenges, and heightened risk from impurities. Quality control varies widely among online vendors, with reputable manufacturers providing certificates of analysis for heavy metals and microbial contamination. Notable quotes underscore the stakes: “80% of your immune system is harbored around your gut lining,” and “injectable BPC didn’t work any better than taking it orally,” illustrating both the therapeutic promise and practical limitations. The discussion also touches on cost trade‑offs—pre‑filled injectable pens offer convenience at premium prices, while capsules remain more affordable and travel‑friendly. For consumers and clinicians, the takeaway is clear: prioritize peptides with proven oral bioavailability, verify supplier purity, and consider gut‑centric protocols as foundational for broader health benefits. The peptide market must balance hype with rigorous formulation and regulatory oversight to deliver safe, effective products.

Original Description

You can't watch a single sporting event without being hit with an Ozempic commercial — but did you know that those GLP-1s everyone's talking about are actually peptides?

Kyal Van Der Leest — nutritionist, naturopath, and the formulator behind LvLUp Health — breaks down which peptides actually work, which ones are all hype, and why the Swiss Army knife of peptides (BPC-157) might be exactly what your gut, your joints, and your brain have been begging for.

Kyal gets into the oral vs. injectable debate (Kyal sells oral peptides and still admits most oral ones don't work — gotta respect that), why your midlife body composition changes aren't just about willpower, the mould exposure conversation that'll make you side-eye your hotel room forever, and whether microdosing GLP-1s is the smarter play. If you're a Betty navigating perimenopause or menopause and want real, science-backed options beyond "just take Ozempic," this episode is your new best friend.

Go to https://lvluphealth.com/DRSTEPHANIE and use code DRSTEPHANIE for 15% off.

Episode Overview:

0:00 Teaser/Intro

6:30 Oral vs. Injectable Peptides

11:22 The Cost, Convenience & Travel Factor

15:47 BPC-157: The Swiss Army Knife of Peptides

21:10 Arthritis, Autoimmunity & the Gut Connection

27:28 GHK-Copper: Skin From Within & Longevity Genes

35:54 Body Composition Changes in Perimenopause & Menopause

43:24 Microdosing GLP-1s

49:47 Mould: The Hidden Wrecker of Hormones, Gut & Brain

58:49 How to Cycle Peptides (And Why You Should)

1:02:38 Level Up Health: Where to Find These Products

1:09:29 The After Party: Dr. Stephanie's Honest Take

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep459

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

TIMELINE - As perimenopausal women, we know we are in a fight against time to preserve our muscle strength and endurance, plus our recovery needs are greater. That's why you save 20% at https://timelinenutrition.com/better with code BETTER.

JUST THRIVE HEALTH - Take the Just Thrive FEEL BETTER challenge today, and save 20% on your first order. Go to https://justthrivehealth.com/better and use the code BETTER to see the difference for yourself.

BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin, gain more energy, and uplevel your recovery practice with a suite of red light products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER.

AGZ - If you’re ready to turn down the stress and focus on the rest, head to https://drinkag1.com/STEPHANIE to get a FREE Frother with your first purchase of AGZ.

EQUIP COLLAGEN - Support bones, joints, gut, and skin with Equip Collagen. Get 20% off at https://equipfoods.com/better with code BETTER.