For decades, the American wellness routine was very basic—take a multivitamin, go for a walk, and purchase an exercise machine that would spend years holding laundry.

But in 2026, the wellness world has discovered a breakthrough: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s Health and Human Services Secretary, described himself as a big fan of peptides. This has prompted millions of Americans to question what peptides are and which compounds offer the most benefit.

Peptides are the building blocks of more complex proteins, triggering hormones needed for growth and healing. The Broad Institute tested 1,309 compounds and identified GHK-cu—the copper peptide—as its top choice.

Kennedy has discussed using peptides for his own injuries, and Gary Brecka, a self-described “longevity expert” who sells various peptide formulas through his website, is a prominent supporter of Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again movement.

“I’m a big fan of peptides,” Kennedy told Joe Rogan. “I’ve used them myself and with really good effect on a couple of injuries.”

Under President Joe Biden, the FDA added nearly 20 peptides to the federal list of substances that should not be produced by compounding pharmacies.

The text highlights specific peptide applications: BPC-157 for gut lining and wound repair, TB-500 for broader injury recovery when paired with BPC-157, CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin for growth hormone stimulation, GHK-cu for skin quality and healing, and Thymosin Alpha-1 for immune signaling. Clinical trials have reported a 51% increase in collagen within three months, outperforming vitamin C and retinoic acid. Additionally, peptides like GHK-cu are claimed to reset 31% of the human genome and trigger cancer cells’ natural self-destruct mechanisms.

The article notes that RFK Jr. has faced criticism for his health initiatives, with some drawing parallels to past actions in entertainment.