Peptides For Weight Loss

Weight loss drugs are in the rage right now. There is a wide range of weight loss pills available, including weight loss peptides. There are pros and cons to weight loss peptides compared to traditional weight loss. We have given a simplified run down for you to understand. If you have any questions, talk to us at My Concierge MD.

What are weight loss peptides?

Weight loss peptides are a type of therapeutic peptide that is used to help people lose weight. They are small chains of amino acids that make up proteins in the body.

What are the types of peptides used for weight loss?

• Semaglutide: This peptide drug is labeled to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and typically given via a once-weekly injection. The effects of this drug seem to work well in the first year and may plateau around week 60 of treatment.
• Liraglutide: Liraglutide is another GLP-1 receptor agonist that is specifically approved for weight loss. Researchers explain that it reduces appetite and helps people keep weight off for at least a year. This medication is typically given in a once-daily injection.
• Tirzepatide: Tirzepatide is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes. In a study on over 2,500 adults, people who took varying doses of tirzepatide experienced a substantial and sustained reduction in their weight over 72 weeks compared to those who received a placebo.
• Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin is well-known for managing HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Clinical trials of this potential peptide show that it reduces visceral adipose tissue (VAT), particularly in the abdominal region.
• AOD 9604: AOD 9604 is a piece of growth hormone. It helps to break down fat and stops the body from making more fat. It utilizes the stored body fat to prevent any fat from depositing and eventually leads to weight loss.
• Amino-1MQ: Amino-1MQ is a medicine that fights obesity. It works by slowing down a cell enzyme, which helps burn fat faster. It also lowers cholesterol in the blood, keeping it at healthy levels to prevent obesity.
• CJC-1295: CJC-1295 helps the body release growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1. These help break down fat cells and make the body leaner. When combined with Ipamorelin, it works even better for losing weight.

How do peptides for weight loss differ from traditional weight loss medications?

Peptides for Weight Loss

Peptides are little chains made of amino acids that can help folks lose weight and deal with problems linked to being too heavy. They do this by telling the body to release insulin, which makes blood sugar better, makes you feel less hungry, and helps you feel full. Some peptides used for weight loss include:

 

• Semaglutide: A GLP-1 receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
• Liraglutide: Another GLP-1 receptor agonist specifically approved for weight loss.
• Tirzepatide: A GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Traditional Weight Loss Medications

Traditional weight loss medications work primarily by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness. Some common weight loss medications include:

• Orlistat (Alli, Xenical): It works by inhibiting the breakdown of fat in the gut, making you take in fewer calories from fat.
• Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira): It is a sympathomimetic amine anorectic agent that stimulates neurons to release a particular group of neurotransmitters known as catecholamines, including dopamine, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
• Bupropion and Naltrexone (Contrave): These two drugs work on areas of the brain that control appetite and food cravings.

Can peptides cause any long-term changes in appetite or metabolism?

Appetite

Peptides like GLP-1, peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide, and oxyntomodulin can affect how hungry we feel. They send messages to our brains to control how full or hungry we are in the short term. For example, GLP-1 makes our stomach empty slower, so we feel full for a longer time and eat less.

Metabolism

Peptides can also have an impact on metabolism. They can influence energy homeostasis, which is the balance of energy intake and energy expenditure. When you exercise and lose weight, your body goes through changes that make you want to eat more when you’re not eating. But at the same time, you feel fuller after meals, and your body gets better at controlling how hungry you feel.

Clinical Evidence and Research

Semaglutide

In a 2022 study, researchers compared the weight loss effectiveness of semaglutide and liraglutide when combined with diet and exercise. The findings indicated that semaglutide led to greater weight loss at 68 weeks compared to liraglutide. [1].

Liraglutide

A 2021 study showed that 277 subjects taking 3 mg of liraglutide daily lost 9 pounds (4.1 kg) [2].

Tirzepatide

A study conducted with participants with obesity issues stated that treatment with tirzepatide had an average weight loss of 10%-20% of their body weight after 72 weeks [3].

AOD9604

A report shared the evidence from a 12-week trial that a low dose of AOD9604 helps in weight loss in overweight patients [4].

5-Amino-1MQ

According to research, 5-Amino-1MQ was able to prevent fat accumulation and shrink fat cells, reducing the appearance of fat tissue [5].

CJC-1295

According to an article from Peptide Sciences, the effects of CJC-1295, a synthetic derivative of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), may enhance fat metabolism and promote muscle growth.

Peptides For Weight Loss

My Concierge MD offers the best peptides for weight loss near me in Beverly Hills but can also come to your home or office throughout the Los Angeles area. We serve patients near Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Silverlake, Echo Park, and many more.

References:

1. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al. Effect of Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Daily Liraglutide on Body Weight in Adults With Overweight or Obesity Without Diabetes: The STEP 8 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2022;327(2):138–150. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.23619
2. Haase CL, Serratore Achenbach MG, Lucrezi G, Jeswani N, Maurer S, Egermann U. Use of Liraglutide 3.0 mg for Weight Management in a Real-World Setting in Switzerland. Obes Facts. 2021;14(5):568-576. doi:10.1159/000518325
3. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038
4. News Medical. Obesity drug codenamed AOD9604 highly successful in trials. News-Medical. Published December 16, 2004. Accessed February 28, 2024. https://www.news-medical.net/news/2004/12/16/6878.aspx
5. Neelakantan H, Wang HY, Vance V, Hommel JD, McHardy SF, Watowich SJ. Structure-Activity Relationship for Small Molecule Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase. J Med Chem. 2017;60(12):5015–5028.