People use Peptides to meet their different goals. Some aim to build and bulk muscles, while others often want to speed up their recovery process. Many people often start using various peptides to optimize their athletic performance and level up their game.

But one of the characteristics of peptides is weight loss. If you are someone who is aspiring to lose some weight and cut down Body fat, then this article is for you.

I will review some of the major peptides that significantly reduce body weight. You will see the optimal dosage guidelines of each peptide and other potential benefits that peptides offer.

Summary

• Best Option: Semaglutide is the best available option for weight loss. It acts as an agonist for glucagon-like peptide 1 and maintains blood hormone levels of glucagon. The clinical trials show a 15% weight loss in the subjects, thus proving its effectiveness.
• 2nd Best Option: Tesamorelin is well-known for managing HIV-associated lipodystrophy. The clinical trials of this potential peptide show that it cuts down visceral adipose tissue (VAT), particularly in the abdominal region.
• 3rd Best Option: AOD 9604, a fragment derivative of Growth hormone (GH), promotes lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis. It utilizes the body fat reserves to prevent any accumulation and eventually leads to weight loss.
• 4th Best Option: Amino-1MQ, also known as an anti-obesity drug, inhibits an enzyme in the cells, thus speeding up the fat metabolism. It reduces blood cholesterol levels, ensuring that the lipid profile is below the obesity range.
• 5th Best Option: CJC-1295 stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) as well as Insulin-like growth factor 1. It acts on target cells such as adipocytes (fat cells) and promotes fat breakdown. Stacking it with Ipamorelin can offer optimal synergistic benefits in weight loss.

How Do Peptides Work?

Although all peptides work by following a different mechanism of action, what’s typical of all the peptides is that they stimulate the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland (1).

Here we will talk about different ways in which peptides trigger weight loss.

The growth hormone (GH) released due to peptide stimulation travels to different areas of the body and acts on various target sites such as adipocytes (fat cells), hepatocytes (liver cells), and myocytes (muscle cells).

The subsequent binding on target cells accelerates the rate of fat metabolism and causes fat loss from the central regions of the body.

Some peptides work by stimulating lipolysis, which is the breakdown of Body Fat (2).

Some groups of peptides work by inhibiting lipogenesis, which is the synthesis of body fat (3).

A few peptides responsible for causing weight loss also work by regulating the blood levels of hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. They boost the release of insulin, which is responsible for keeping blood glucose levels low. Thus, it minimizes the chance of weight gain.

How To Take Peptides

Once you have decided on the specific peptide you will use, you need to look for its available forms. Some peptides can be taken orally or be used as patches, whereas others can only be used in injectable form.

Many studies have shown that peptide hormonal therapies are most effective when injected (4). Thus, most vendors only produce peptides in this form.

How To Reconstitute Peptides

You will get the lyophilized (powdered) form of peptide in the vial (glass container).

Before using the peptide, you will have to mix it with the bacteriostatic water, depending on your dosage guidelines. Add the water drop by drop to the vial for maximum interaction between water and peptide.

This way, your reconstituted peptide is ready to be administered. Make sure to use it immediately or at least keep it in favorable conditions before using it.

How To Inject Peptides

Your reconstituted peptide can be either injected intramuscularly, intravenously, or subcutaneously.

• The intravenous injection mode requires supervision from an expert because it involves locating a vein and then injecting it.
• The intramuscular mode of injection involves direct administration into muscles.
• Perhaps the most common yet feasible way to administer peptides is via the subcutaneous method. This means administering the dosage directly to the area under the skin. The abdominal area near the stomach region is a common site for this mode of injection.

Are Peptides Safe For Weight Loss?

For sure!

Most of the peptides mimic the action of naturally occurring endogenous peptides. If you are a healthy person with no pre-existing set of conditions, then different peptide therapies can be really effective for weight loss.

It will help you slack down unnecessary body fat, help you maintain weight, and keep your physique slim.

Best Peptides For Weight Loss

The 5 peptides which essentially reduces body weight are given below:

1- Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a peptide, which is analogous to glucagon-like peptide 1 synthesized by the intestinal epithelial cells. It is primarily given to patients diagnosed with any chronic weight-related condition such as Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, etc.

It acts as a receptor agonist for glucagon-like peptide 1 (5) and manages blood sugar levels in an individual.

Semaglutide works by regulating hormones such as insulin, which is ultimately responsible for keeping blood sugars level low. It also downregulates the secretion of glucagon, thus preventing any conversion of glycogen to glucose.

The clinical trials involving Semaglutide reported a 15% loss in body weight. It is hypothesized that Semaglutide achieves this by reducing appetite acutely as well as lowering fasting triglycerides and VLDL cholesterol chronically.

The half-life of Semaglutide is very high, which aids in weight loss. The effectiveness of Semaglutide in managing obesity led to the FDA approving this drug.

As the half-life of Semaglutide is very high, a low dosage once a week is recommended. Start with 0.25mg of Semaglutide a week, and if it is well-tolerated, then you can go as high as 2.4mg.

I would highly recommend Semaglutide to people aiming for weight loss in organic ways. Not only does this peptide trigger weight loss, but it also offers a couple of supplemental benefits.

2- Tesamorelin

The first peptide that has proved effective in weight loss is Tesamorelin.

Tesamorelin Acetate is a synthetic peptide comprising 44 Amino acids. Tesamorelin mimics the action of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and triggers the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland. It then travels to the various target sites such as adipocytes (fat cells) and hepatocytes (liver cells).

Lipodystrophy (6), a condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of body fat in certain areas of the body, such as the abdominal region, is one of the common symptoms in HIV patients as well as people taking antiretroviral medication.

The clinical trials involving the use of Tesamorelin have shown a considerable reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the patients diagnosed with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Other outcomes from the clinical trials include reducing trunk fat, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (7).

This means that Tesamorelin somehow regulates the unnecessary accumulation of body fat and eliminates it, leading to weight loss. Cutting down the extra layer of fat from the prominent areas of the body, such as the abdominal region, makes you look less chubby too.

This results in an improved body physique, a slim figure and helps you maintain your weight within strict limits.

2mg of Tesamorelin once a day has proven to be effective in cutting down abdominal fat and eventually weight loss.

3- AOD 9604

Growth hormone (GH) is a peptide that is made up of 191 Amino acids. AOD 9604 is a modified derivative of growth hormone (GH), which comprises the last 15 Amino acids of the growth hormone’s (GH) sequence, i.e., 176 to 191.

This modified peptide possesses strong fat-burning capabilities and is used as an anti-obesity drug. AOD 9604 works by accelerating the metabolism to burn down any excess body fat.

It does this in two main ways, stimulating lipolysis while inhibiting lipogenesis. AOD 9604 doesn’t affect blood sugar levels either.

Lipolysis is the breakdown of fats into its constituents, which are fatty acids and glycerol. The fatty acids and glycerol then travel to target sites mainly for generating ATP.

AOD 9604 also inhibits lipogenesis, which means that it doesn’t allow the synthesis of fats or triglycerides.

In this way, not only is there no new buildup of fats, but also abdominal fat reserves are utilized, leading to weight loss and a slimmer physique.

Administering 0.25mg to 1mg of AOD 9604 for 24 weeks has shown effective results in causing weight loss with minimal side effects.

4- AMINO-1MQ

The last peptide for discussion is 5-AMINO-1MQ. 5-AMINO-1MQ is a small molecular drug and a derivative of methylquinolinium.

It is potentially a strong candidate to be used for weight loss and as an anti-obesity treatment.

As it enters the cell, it blocks the activity of an enzyme called nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). This subsequent blocking of NNMT leads to an increased concentration of nicotinamide dinucleotide NAD+.

As the levels of NAD+, which is also a cofactor, rises, so does the cellular metabolism.

Your body essentially now utilizes body fat significantly for the generation of energy and also inhibits adipogenesis.

It also reduces the blood cholesterol levels, making it less likely for deposition and causing obesity.

Perhaps the research involving the use of 5-AMINO-1MQ shows that it is safe and effective both for reversal of obesity caused primarily by diet as well as minimizes the chances of developing it in the future.

A calorie deficit chart will give you a better idea of your performance if you start taking 5-AMINO-1MQ for weight loss.

As it is only available in capsule forms, taking 1 capsule per day for 2-3 months is recommended to see effective results.

5- CJC-1295

CJC-1295 is a peptide comprising 30 Amino acids. It mimics the action of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and stimulates the release of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland.

CJC-1295 also elevates the serum levels of Insulin-like growth factor 1.

Together these act on specific target sites such as adipocytes (fat cells) to accelerate the fat metabolism. It also lowers blood glucose levels, which plays an important role in weight loss in an individual.

Most people stack CJC-1295 with Ipamorelin to achieve optimum and synergistic benefits of both the peptides.

The accurate dosage of both the peptides can help individuals lose weight as well as experience other benefits, such as muscle growth, strengthening the immune system, and accelerating the process of healing.

Take a 250/100mcg of CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin stack for 12 to 16 weeks to see effective results in losing weight and acquiring a slim body.

Additional Benefits Offered By Peptides

While weight loss is one of the benefits of peptide therapy, there are other potential effects on the body, such as rapid wound healing and quick yet efficient recovery by promoting angiogenesis. Some peptides have anti-inflammatory properties.

Peptides help in building and bulking up muscles and increase muscle mass significantly.

Bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness pros often use peptides with an aim to build stamina and endurance while also improving flexibility in the body.

Perhaps some peptides also improve cardiovascular health and minimize the risk of any pathologies related to the heart in the future.

Peptides also help in regulating the circadian rhythms and ensure an efficient sleep/wake cycle (8).

Alternatives For Weight Loss

While peptides are one of the safest options for weight loss, other alternatives, such as different SARMs, natural herbal supplements, and some drugs, reduce body fat.

SARMs For Weight Loss

Cardarine, one of the highly used SARM, is a PPAR agonist. It upregulates the expression of genes that promote fat catabolism and thus prevents the accumulation of body fat.

Ostarine, another SARM, is also a potential compound for weight loss. It is hypothesized that it has a nutrient partitioning effect, due to which it is effective in weight loss.

Many SARMs users have also given RAD 140 (Testolone) 10 on 10 in promoting weight loss. It cuts down body fat and prevents any accumulation.

Weight Loss Supplements

Hydroxycut is one of the most popular weight loss formulas. It is a mixture of caffeine and other plant extracts and has been highly effective.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) (9) is one of the compounds found naturally in fats. Being a healthier ‘trans’ fat promotes fat metabolism, reduces appetite, and aids in weight loss.

Take-Home Message

Peptides are perhaps one of the safest options for weight loss. Not only will they help in cutting down body fat but also regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Using different peptides, you can easily limit your body weight and impress everyone with your body shape.

I would recommend peptides for sure, considering they impact your body with minimal side effects and offer added benefits.

FAQs On Peptides For Weight Loss

1- Do peptides help you lose weight?

Peptides are a safer and effective way to lose weight, and people have lost a high amount of fat stored due to peptide therapy.

2- Is taking peptides safe?

The good news about peptide supplements is that they’re almost universally safe.

3- Does CJC 1295 help you lose weight?

CJC 1295 stimulates growth hormone secretion and will keep a steady increase of hGH and IGF-1, leading to fat loss and muscle growth.

4- How long should you take peptides for?

Typically, within a few weeks, you should see improved sleep and energy. Full effects such as decreased fat and improved muscle mass can take 3-6 months.

5- What are the side effects of using peptides?

Reported side effects of peptides and hormones include water retention, numbness of the hands and feet, and increased tiredness