Are peptides good for weight loss

April 14. 2021

The use of peptides for weight loss may be a relatively new idea for many people, but most gym-goers and bodybuilders are familiar with it. Bodybuilders have used peptides for more than twenty years, and several types of peptides have already been tested and approved by the FDA. They’re now accessible to anyone who wants to treat specific acute and chronic issues. 

They can be used to prevent aging and preserve beauty, strength and muscle growth while providing rapid recovery from injuries. Here, we’re going to focus on the different types of peptides that you can use on your weight loss journey. 

What are peptides?

Some of you may be skeptical about most things surrounding this topic. To prevent any misunderstandings, we’ll explain what peptides are and how safe they really are.

Peptides are essentially mini-proteins. They are made of amino acids (just like proteins). Still, the quantity of amino acids in peptides is smaller than in proteins (roughly, anything under fifty amino acids makes a peptide, and anything above it makes a protein). Proteins can also be broken down to create peptides (that’s what supplement companies do) because peptides are easier for your body to absorb. 

Keep in mind that peptides are naturally found in your body, and they often behave as hormones – they send information through your bloodstream. That way, they can reproduce what your body already knows to do. They simply boost the intelligence of your cells, hence, they can regulate blood sugar, inflammation, hormone production and weight loss. 

There are, of course, some experimental peptides which you can use at your own risk, but we recommend you consult a specialist who can offer you suitable peptides to use for your weight loss.

How peptides contribute to your weight loss?

Most peptide therapies are essentially growth hormone replacement therapies (GHRT). Peptides which boost the release of the human growth hormone (HGH), can slow down hormonal failure and boost your immunity. This is important because the hGH is responsible for lower fat accumulation levels, healthy metabolism, muscle maintenance and more. 

The hormone’s secretion, however, naturally declines as we age, which leads to increased fat storage and slowed metabolism. That’s when the peptides step in and improve your body’s natural HGH secretion. 

You can use them in the forms of creams, nasal sprays, or oral medication, but the most effective way is to get your specified dose via dermal injections. It’s important to mention that you’ll get much better results if you combine peptides with a balanced diet and physical activity.

Here’s our list of the most common peptides used for weight loss, and a description of what each one of them does in your body:

• Tesamorelin is a GHRH (Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone) peptide. It stimulates the pituitary gland, which rules your body’s growth mechanism, insulin interactions and appetite (among other things). 

The FDA approves Tesamorelin. You can use it to reduce visceral adiposity, lower triglyceride levels, and positively influence insulin resistance. In addition to that, Tesamorelin can also improve healthy people’s cognitive function if they are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

• Ipamorelin is considered a growth hormone secretagogue. It boosts your body’s natural secretion of the actual hormone. It does so by stimulating your pituitary gland to produce more. Additionally, Ipamorelin seems to be pretty safe, as it doesn’t inflict many of the same side effects that the usage of GHRP (Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide) does, such as increased appetite or elevated cortisol levels. 

It doesn’t require long-term usage, and most people use it for less than three months. It also works well when combined with CJC-1295 peptide and provides a good longevity of benefits in the long run. Satisfied patients have reported accelerated fat loss, increased energy and improved sleep quality.

• CJC-1295 is a synthetic GHRH chain that consists of 30 amino acids. Research has shown that it can increase fat loss, cellular repair and regeneration and increase muscle growth. It can also promote slow-wave sleep, which is associated with memory formation and muscle recovery. 
• Amlexanox can suppress your appetite, but it’s also an anti-inflammatory compound. It works best when combined with TTA (Tetradecylthioacetic Acid, a fatty acid) since it can regulate how much fat your body stores. It does so by influencing the genes that control your metabolism. It can make you feel full more quickly and decrease overall hunger while burning stored fat.
• Follistatin falls under a slightly different category. It doesn’t directly cause a decrease in your fat stores, but it suppresses myostatin, leading to impressive muscle growth. 

Your body makes it naturally, but you can also take it in the form of supplements. Additionally, you can also take creatine supplements, which increase your strength during workouts and help build your muscles. It increases the amount of stored energy in your muscles and then recharges them while your muscles rest. This can give you a boost during your HIIT workouts or weight lifting sessions. Creatine is also a nootropic, which means it reduces mental fatigue and improves memory.

How long will it take to see the results?

This is one of the most common questions we get when people decide to take peptide therapy. The truth is that there isn’t a singular correct  answer to it. 

Peptide therapy results depend on many different factors, including your age, genetics, lifestyle and current metabolism. As we mentioned earlier, you shouldn’t consider peptides a magic wand (even though they do wonders). You should dedicate yourself to improving your lifestyle because you actually want long-term results. 

Before engaging in peptide therapy, you should pay attention to what you eat and aim to stick to a balanced diet. You can start by preparing your food at home because dining out prevents you from knowing how many nutrients and calories you get in a meal. Generally speaking, if you stick to a healthy lifestyle, you can witness the results of Tesamorelin within a few weeks. On the other hand, Ipamorelin is a more gentle peptide, and it shows results somewhere between three and six months from the start of use. 

Final thoughts

The use of peptides for weight loss is becoming more common since people are starting to notice how beneficial they are for losing stored fat. Still, we strongly advise you to consult specialists before deciding which peptide is best for you. At our weight loss clinic in Chicago, we offer personalized weight loss programs based on your individual needs. Please contact us to schedule your appointment.

Author

Nurse Walton

Born and raised in Chicago, IL, Chanay received her Practical Nurse licensure and went to work in clinical specialties such as Home Health, Assisted Living, Long-Term Care and Dialysis Centers. Through this work, she realized the importance of diet, nutrition and weight loss among her patients. This led her to open A Better Weigh, Inc. Medical Weight Loss Center in 2009.