www.DesertHealthNews.com January/February 2026 Integrative Medicine The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 11 www.sportsandmskmedicine.com Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) • Hyaluronate Injections Stem Cell Therapy • Traditional Prolotherapy • Shockwave Red Laser Therapy • Biomechanical Analysis/Treatment Manual Therapy • Nutritional Optimization A multidisciplinary approach to regenerative medicine using biomechanics and nutrition to optimize results 760.636.1067 41990 Cook St. • Building F, Ste. 1006 Palm Desert, CA 92211 www.SportsandMSKmedicine.com @SportsandMSKmedicine @SportsandMSK_Medicine Eric Sickinger, DO Board-certi ed Sports Medicine Physician Brandon Rosi, DPT Doctor of Physical Therapy Anna Bohigian, RD Registered Dietitian KEEPING YOU ON THE GO with NON-SURGICAL options Treatment for Sports & Active Lifestyle Conditions: Sprains • Strains • Dislocations • Tears Contusions • Fractures Bones • Muscles • Tendons • Ligaments • Nerves Non-Operative Orthopedics • Musculoskeletal Medicine In-Office Ultrasound • Sports Medicine INSURANCE ACCEPTED Also featuring Ketogenic Weight Loss Functional Medicine Cancer Remission Anti-Aging • Light Therapy Neuropathy Treatment Personalized health services offering non-pharmaceutical solutions to reverse disease Joseph Scherger, MD, MPH Medical Director Lifestyle practices that lower toxic burden · Reducing stress. Chronic stress impairs detoxification and increases inflammation. · Improving sleep quality. Detoxification processes in the brain and body are most active during sleep, so quality sleep is important. · Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol. Doing so can help minimize toxin load. Environmental and community-level solutions · Advocating on cleaner air and water standards · Supporting local pollution-reduction initiatives · Choosing products and companies with lower chemical footprints or naturally based products Health issues caused by environmental toxins can be addressed by reducing exposure, enhancing the body’s natural detoxification systems and seeking appropriate medical care. If symptoms like chronic fatigue, respiratory problems, neurological issues or unexplained inflammation persist, it is important to work with qualified health care professionals who have studied or been certified in environmental toxins. These professionals can guide testing and treatment safely as they understand this complex ecosystem that often affects multiple body systems simultaneously. Joan McLoughlin is a Family Nurse Practitioner (candidate) and MSN (candidate). She can be reached at hello@detox2live.com and (415) 658.1641. For more information, visit www.detox2live.com. References available upon request. Peptides have exploded onto the wellness sphere, spearheaded by the use of GLP1 medications for diabetes and obesity. These drugs made over $40 BILLION in 2024! However, peptide therapy dates back to 1921, with the development of the first peptide, synthetic insulin. Over the years, therapeutic peptides have been developed for a range of conditions, including gastrointestinal, urologic, cardiovascular, pain, oncology and rare diseases. In 2022, there were over 170 peptides in active clinical trial development. Peptides are short chains of 2 to 50 amino acids held together by a peptide bond. They are mini-proteins that bind to target receptors and act primarily as signaling molecules, delivering instructions to specific cells and tissues. Because peptides are small molecules, they can be synthesized more easily for targeted health applications, including potential cancer vaccines. They are commonly administered via subcutaneous injections to maximize absorption into the bloodstream and bypass digestive system breakdown; some peptides are formulated for oral use. The regulatory status of peptides depends on the molecule, ranging from pharmaceutical medications prescribed by health care providers to availability through compounding pharmacies or from chemical manufacturers for research use only. Although “research only” peptides are readily available online, consumer concerns include purity, stability and sterility, which vary widely and are neither regulated nor recommended for human use. Despite the lack of clinical trials and long-term safety data, peptides are in high demand due to animal model testing and observed clinical benefits. Their mechanisms of action are generally well known: Sports medicine and orthopedics have commonly utilized “wolverine” peptides BPC-157 (gastric pentadecapeptide) and TB 500 (thymosin beta 4) for improved performance and recovery from sports injuries; the “biohacking” and wellness community use peptides for longevity and mitochondrial repair, and the cosmetic industry use GHK-Cu for skin and hair loss collagen boosts, mainly through anecdotal evidence and self-experimentation. Other possible drawbacks of unregulated peptide use are the potential for unknown short-term and long-term side effects and possible drug and herb interactions. Some popular peptides, such as BPC 157, have shown potential to stimulate VEGF growth factors in rat muscle and tendon models, increasing local blood flow, which is good for tissue healing but potentially harmful for cancerous tumors. The cost of pharmaceutical-grade peptides for human use can be a hurdle, which is why many people take the hefty risk of using cheaper “research only” products. There are also no established optimal dosing protocols specific to each patient. Thus, prescribing doctors must be knowledgeable and comfortable using safely sourced peptides for their patients. Therapeutic peptides are an exciting and evolving field with significant therapeutic potential. Since the blockbuster success of GLP-1 drugs and the exponential explosion of peptides in drug research, we expect expansive use across health disciplines. In the meantime, remember to use a healthy dose of common sense when branching into the brave new world of peptides. Dr. Sonja Fung is a primary care naturopathic doctor with a focus on integrative cancer care and PRP regenerative joint injections at Live Well Clinic in La Quinta. Call (760) 771.5970 or visit www.livewellclinic.org. Sources available upon request. Peptides: Beyond Weight Loss Benefits and caution in evolving field By Sonja Fung, ND Mitigating Environmental Toxins Continued from page 10
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