Phoenix has quietly become one of the most interesting and lucrative places in the country to practice integrative medicine. If the FDA moves forward with approving six new peptides following its advisory panel’s recent recommendation, Phoenix’s reputation will only continue to grow, positioning the region as a hub for legal, provider-led peptide compounding.
Part of this has to do with geography. Phoenix is home to one of the few accredited naturopathic medical schools in the country, Sonoran University of Health Sciences, where clinicians are trained around principles that have guided naturopathic care for generations: the healing power of nature, identifying root causes rather than just symptoms, doing no harm, treating the whole person, an emphasis on prevention and doctor as teacher. These are principles that patients are looking for in care, and that’s why it has driven so much interest in precision wellness and preventive care.
Some clinics, including 10X Health, have already started building relationships with vetted, licensed 503a compounding pharmacies to avoid being caught flat-footed if FDA approval leads to a spike in demand. Demand for peptides tied to weight loss and metabolism is already strong and steady, and recovery and performance peptides are expected to become even harder to keep in stock given how quickly interest in that category is growing. More clinics may follow the same route to prevent disruptions in patient care during a shortage.
None of this is entirely new, as Indigenous communities have practiced regenerative healing in various forms for centuries. What’s changing is the infrastructure and oversight around it, which overall will have a positive impact on patient safety.
Dr. Clara Sartor is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor and acupuncturist with 10X Health.
