Peptides are crucial in the body because of their role as biological messengers. Examples of naturally occurring peptides include:

• Hormones: Such as insulin (regulates blood sugar) and oxytocin (involved in social bonding and childbirth).
• Neuropeptides: Used by nerve cells to communicate.
• Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs): Part of the immune system that helps kill pathogens.
• Collagen Peptides: Found in supplements, these are short fragments of the structural protein collagen, which are easily absorbed to support skin, joint, and bone health.

Their small size and high specificity allow them to bind to and regulate cellular receptors, making them a significant area of research for new therapeutic drugs and medical treatments.