Peptides, the diminutive yet potent fragments of proteins, act as vital messengers within the intricate network of the human body. These naturally occurring peptides, which include crucial hormones like insulin, ghrelin, leptin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), orchestrate a symphony of physiological processes. Synthetic peptides, meticulously crafted in laboratories, have emerged as promising tools for weight management, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists). Initially designed to combat type 2 diabetes, these injectable peptides have witnessed a surge in popularity as weight-loss aids, fueled by social media trends and celebrity endorsements.
Understanding Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. They typically consist of 2 to 100 amino acids linked together. These molecules play crucial roles in various bodily functions, acting as signaling molecules, hormones, and enzymes. Peptides are naturally found in many foods, especially foods that are good sources of amino acids, such as meat, fish and shellfish, beans and lentils, soy, oats, flaxseed, hemp seeds, and wheat.
How Peptides Work for Weight Loss
Peptides like GLP-1 agonists have demonstrated effectiveness in promoting weight loss by:
- Stimulating the release of insulin: This helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Delaying gastric emptying: This leads to increased fullness and reduced appetite.
- Reducing appetite and food cravings: This helps lower overall food intake.
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications are formulated to stimulate peptide production in the body to slow stomach emptying. Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists are involved in digestion, hunger, and satiety.
FDA-Approved Peptides for Weight Loss
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several peptide medications for weight management:
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus): Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Wegovy is FDA-approved for long-term weight management in adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27) with at least one weight-related condition, as well as in children aged 12 years and older with a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher. Ozempic is FDA approved for type 2 diabetes, but it may be taken off-label for weight management. Rybelsus is another brand name for semaglutide. A 2021 study investigated the effectiveness of semaglutide as a weight loss aid in 1,961 people with overweight or obesity. Over 68 weeks, each participant received a once-weekly dose of either 2.4 milligrams (mg) of subcutaneous semaglutide or placebo, alongside lifestyle interventions. Individuals in the semaglutide treatment group lost, on average, 14.9% of their body weight compared to baseline. Individuals in the placebo group lost, on average, just 2.4% of their body weight compared to baseline.
- Liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza): Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist. Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management in adults with a BMI ≥ 30 or a BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related condition, and in children over 12 with a BMI > 30 and weighing over 60 kilograms. Victoza is FDA-approved for controlling blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound): Tirzepatide is a dual-acting medication that acts on both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors. Zepbound is FDA-approved for obesity in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one weight-related condition. Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and is sometimes used off-label for weight loss. Zepbound is both a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a GIP receptor agonist, so it helps reduce appetite and food intake. It is a subcutaneous injection that a person administers once a week.
Other Peptides
Other injectable peptides, such as tesamorelin (Egrifta) and sermorelin (Geref), may help build muscle mass or reduce body fat but are not directly associated with weight loss.
Effectiveness of Peptides for Weight Loss
Studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists for weight loss.
- People with diabetes who take a GLP-1 peptide in addition to diet and exercise changes can expect to lose 4% to 6% of their body weight.
- People with diabetes who take a GLP-1 peptide without diet and exercise modifications will lose less weight, usually around 3% or 4% of their body weight.
- People without diabetes who take one of these peptides in addition to diet and exercise changes will typically lose more weight, between 6% and 17% of body weight.
A 2024 study investigated the effect of once-weekly subcutaneous tirzepatide on weight loss management in adults with overweight or obesity. At 36 weeks, the 670 adults experienced an average weight reduction of 20.9%. From this time point, researchers separated the participants into two groups: a treatment group and a control group. At 52 weeks, the group continuing tirzepatide experienced an additional 5.5% weight reduction, while the group who switched to the placebo regained 14% of their body weight.
Combining peptides with diet changes and increased physical activity is most effective for weight loss. Expect weight loss to be less dramatic if you use peptides without these lifestyle interventions.
Who Should Consider Peptides for Weight Loss?
Peptides for weight loss may be a suitable option for:
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
- People with a BMI above 30
- People with a BMI above 27, plus other health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
- People who can implement exercise and healthy diet choices
It's important to remember that BMI is just one data point and doesn't give a complete picture of your overall health. For this reason, it's not always accurate. For instance, BMI doesn't distinguish between body fat and lean muscle. It also doesn't specify the location of the body fat.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
As with any medication, peptides for weight loss can cause side effects. Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
Other potential side effects include low blood sugar, injection site reactions, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. In rare cases, some individuals may experience gastroparesis, pancreatitis, or changes in vision.
The chart below shows the possible side effects of Wegovy, Saxenda, and Zepbound:
Side effect | Semaglutide (Wegovy) | Liraglutide (Saxenda) | Tirzepatide (Zepbound) |
---|---|---|---|
Nausea | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Vomiting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Constipation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Indigestion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Fatigue | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Headache | ✓ | ✓ | |
Dizziness | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distended abdomen | ✓ | ✓ | |
Burping | ✓ | ✓ | |
Flatulence | ✓ | ✓ | |
Gastroenteritis | ✓ | ✓ | |
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes | ✓ | ✓ | |
Runny nose and sore throat | ✓ | ||
Injection site reactions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Increased lipase levels | ✓ | ||
Fever | ✓ | ||
Hypersensitivity reactions | ✓ | ||
Hair loss | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Gastritis | ✓ | ||
Urinary tract infection | ✓ |
Before prescribing peptides for weight loss, doctors must consider certain precautions. Peptides for weight loss may delay gastric emptying, which can reduce the effectiveness of oral medications.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
The FDA cautions that both Wegovy and Zepbound may not be suitable for use during pregnancy, as these medications may harm the fetus. The FDA recommends that males and females of reproductive age discontinue using Wegovy at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy, as the drug can remain in the system for several weeks.
With Zepbound, the FDA recommends that females using oral contraceptives switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or add barrier contraception for 4 weeks after the initial Zepbound dose, and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
Peptides for weight loss may also not be suitable for people with a personal or family history of certain conditions, including:
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
- Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient, or any other ingredient in the medication
Important Considerations
- Prescription Requirement: You need a prescription to get peptides that are FDA-approved for weight loss.
- Lifestyle Changes: Combining peptides with diet changes and increased physical activity is most effective for weight loss.
- Long-Term Use: Peptide medications for weight loss are designed for long-term use. You could regain some or all of the weight you lost if you discontinue the medication.
- Cost: Peptide medications can be expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
- Compounded Semaglutide: Compounded versions of semaglutide come with safety concerns. They have not undergone rigorous testing like FDA-approved medications.
- Counterfeit Products: Using versions of GLP-1 receptor agonists that are not FDA-approved can be unsafe. They could contain harmful ingredients and too much or too little of the active ingredient. They may not contain any of the active ingredients at all. Counterfeit products are available online that may increase the risk of adverse effects.
- Underlying Health Conditions: People with diabetes tend to lose less weight with GLP-1 agonists compared to people who don't have diabetes.
- Ozempic face: GLP-1 drugs for diabetes and weight loss have proven to be very effective, but they do have side effects. Among those side effects is "Ozempic face," where skin on the face sags and wrinkles.
- GLP-1 medications tied to decreased risk of dementia, addiction; increased risk of kidney, pancreas and gastrointestinal problems:GLP-1RA drugs were associated with significant benefits to neurological and behavioral health, with reduced risks of seizures and addiction to substances such as alcohol, cannabis, stimulants and opioids. Al-Aly emphasized that his study also highlighted potential downsides to the medications, including an increased risk of gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare cases paralysis of the stomach. physicians must be vigilant for signs of pancreatitis and monitor kidney function among people taking GLP-1RA medications.
Alternative Peptide
A naturally occurring molecule identified by Stanford Medicine researchers appears similar to semaglutide - also known as Ozempic - in suppressing appetite and reducing body weight. When the researchers tested the effect of BRP on lean mice and minipigs (which more closely mirror human metabolism and eating patterns than mice do) they found that an intramuscular injection of BRP prior to feeding reduced food intake over the next hour by up to 50% in both animal models. Obese mice treated with daily injections of BRP for 14 days lost an average of 3 grams - due almost entirely to fat loss - while control animals gained about 3 grams over the same period.
Potential Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
Recent research suggests that GLP-1RA drugs may have additional benefits, including a decreased risk of dementia and addiction. However, these findings are still preliminary and require further investigation.