Why can some peptides work orally while others struggle to survive the gut?

In this episode of Biohacking Autism, Nadia Elkhatib talks with Kyal Van Der Leest, CEO, founder, and formulator of LVLUP Health, about autism gut health, peptide signaling, inflammation, oral bioavailability, and what formulation changes when peptides have to travel through the digestive system.

Kyal starts with one of the clearest explanations of peptides we have heard on the podcast:

“Amino acids are letters, peptides are words, and proteins are sentences.”

From there, Nadia and Kyal explore why the size and structure of a peptide matter, what happens when peptides encounter stomach acid and digestive enzymes, and why delivery technologies such as delayed-release capsules may affect whether a compound survives long enough to act.

They also go deeper into the gut barrier, tight junctions, histamine, inflammation, and the gut-brain connection. Kyal explains how he thinks about combining different compounds within a formulation, why some effects may remain local to the gut while others may be systemic, and how his approach to formulation has evolved as manufacturing and testing technology have improved.

The conversation also explores Kyal’s personal experience with peptides, his family’s experience with brain health, Nadia’s experience navigating complex health issues with her son Jimmy, and the larger question at the center of Biohacking Autism: how do we better understand what is happening biologically beneath symptoms and behaviors?

IN THIS EPISODE

• What peptides are and how they signal in the body

• Why some peptides are more difficult to deliver orally

• Oral peptide bioavailability and absorption

• The gut barrier, tight junctions, and intestinal permeability

• Histamine, inflammation, and gut-brain signaling

• Oral versus injectable peptide delivery

• Why different peptides may be combined in a formulation

• Peptides and brain health

• Glutathione, neuroinflammation, and cognition

• Formulation, manufacturing, and quality control

• Why the sequence of interventions can matter in complex chronic health issues

CONNECT WITH KYAL VAN DER LEEST

Kyal Van Der Leest is the CEO, founder, and formulator of LVLUP Health.

LVLUP Health:

https://leveluphealth.com

Kyal has a financial interest in LVLUP Health and in products discussed during this conversation.

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health protocol or your child’s protocol.

Several compounds discussed in this episode are investigational or are not FDA-approved for the uses discussed. Biohacking Autism does not provide individualized treatment protocols, dosing instructions, or sourcing guidance for regulated compounds.