Do Peptides Work For Weight Loss?

If you are trying to lose weight but are struggling to do so through diet and exercise alone, peptide therapy may be an option for you. This article explains how peptides work, their side effects, and the various types of peptides available on the market.

Nowadays, there are an overwhelming amount of weight loss regimens on the market. It can be hard to know where to turn or what to trust. Peptide therapy is proven to help with weight loss, in addition to its many other benefits.

What are peptides?

Peptides are short chain amino acids connected with a peptide bond. They are shorter and smaller than proteins, and they are found in cells and tissue of the body. Peptides are used in many physiologic processes for growth, development, and survival of cells.

Aside from natural peptides in the body, peptides are also naturally found in food sources such as meat, fish, beans, lentils, and oats. Synthetic peptides are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

How do synthetic peptides work?

Many synthetic peptides are analogues of natural peptides and aim to perform the same function in the body. Doctors give these synthetic hormones for the following reasons:

• To stimulate or inhibit the production of other hormones in certain conditions.
• To provide supply of these hormones when the body can’t make it for itself.

Clinically, peptide therapy is a valuable treatment for many conditions. The safety and effectiveness of these peptide treatments depend on the form of therapy needed and the direction of use. Peptides are administered in as supplements, oral gels, topical treatments, and transdermal or subcutaneous injections.

Best peptides for weight loss

Peptides promote weight loss by promoting food satiety and increasing muscle mass. Peptides for weight loss include different growth hormone secretagogues and receptor agonists that enhance the metabolism of food and nutrients in the body. They are available in injections and oral forms. In choosing the best collagen peptide for weight loss, you must consider the bioavailability of the peptide and the time it needs for them to take effect in the body.

CJC 1295

A growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor agonist, CJC 1295 causes prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in the body. This synthetic secretagogue increases metabolism and assists in burning fat and increasing energy in adults. This peptide also improves sleep, slows aging, increases bone density, and helps muscle building.

After a single dose, it will take a while to see the effects of CJC 1295; the changes are more noticeable after several doses of CJC 1295 over the course of months.

Ipamorelin

This pentapeptide is a highly-potent ghrelin-receptor agonist, mimicking the effects of ghrelin on increased metabolism and growth hormone regulation. This stimulates growth hormone release from the pituitary gland, resulting in fat breakdown and energy release in the body.

Ipamorelin is often injected alongside CJC 1295, and the peptides work in tandem to increase weight loss and lean muscle mass. The effects will show after a month of use, with full effects observed after 3 to 6 months of daily administration.

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is an exercise-induced natural peptide derived from mitochondria that regulate physical decline and muscle function. MOTS-c regulates glucose metabolism in muscles and fatty acid breakdown in the liver, promoting weight loss, preventing weight gain, and providing more energy for the body. In a study published in Cell Metabolism, scientists demonstrated in a mouse study that MOTS-c reduces obesity and insulin resistance induced by aging and a high-fat diet.

Tesamorelin

This peptide is a modified synthetic form of GHRH that regulates the release of growth hormone in the body. Tesamorelin is used for its anabolic and lipolytic effects to reduce body fat. Notably, tesamorelin has been observed to have fewer side effects that GHRH.

In HIV patients, tesamorelin is used to decrease belly fat associated with lipodystrophy, a metabolic condition causing increased body fat deposition in certain areas of the body. After 26 weeks, tesamorelin abdominal injections can cause an approximate 15% reduction in visceral fat. A clinical trial in non-HIV positive, obese patients, conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, also showed similar beneficial effects.

Other benefits of peptides

In addition to weight loss and increased metabolism, other peptide benefits include:

• Building lean muscle mass and enhancing strength.
• Slowing down the aging process in the body.
• Increasing bone density and preventing bone loss.
• Preventing inflammation.
• Promoting wound healing and repair.
• Strengthening the immune system.

Do peptides help with muscle gain?

The pituitary gland releases GH to promote muscle growth, metabolism, and energy. Peptides for weight loss, such as growth hormone secretagogues, stimulate the natural release of GH, enhancing muscle gain and promoting the loss of body fat.

Side effects of peptides

Among healthy individuals, side effects of peptides for weight loss are very rare. Some side effects include:

• Feeling of fullness;
• Heartburn;
• Bad taste in mouth.

Side effects with peptide injections are rare, but most occur immediately after the injection. Some of these reactions include:

• Rashes;
• Itching;
• Swelling;
• Redness of the injection site.

Always consult with a doctor before starting on any peptide therapy regimens for your bodybuilding or weight loss goals.

Collagen peptides vs. protein powder

Collagen peptides and protein powder contain amino acids that maintain metabolism and physiologic functions in the body. However, these two are not to be used interchangeably for your health needs. Whether you need collagen peptides for weight loss or protein powder, the following table compares the two supplements:

Along with diet and exercise, peptides can help with weight loss.

Peptides for weight loss are available in injection and oral forms, and it’s best to consult a health professional and read about the types of peptide supplements before deciding to start using them.