Peptides for Weight Loss: Before & After Pics (Comparing All 16 Peptides)

Some people think about using peptides for weight loss because they tried exercising and dieting, or maybe they want to get the most out of their efforts. No matter the case, learning about the effects of 16 different peptides and viewing before and after pictures can provide inspiration to give them a shot.

Nevertheless, it can benefit interested parties to learn about the cons as well as the pros of peptide products.

Taking the wrong peptide can actually make you gain fat but don’t worry…

We compared all 16 to give you the easy and best answer for using peptides for weight loss with the fastest method possible.

An Overview of Peptides

“What are peptides, and how do they work?” is a question many curious individuals ask. Peptides are amino acids comprised of proteins located in the human body. Scientists have created artificial peptides for medications that treat multiple sclerosis and other illnesses and conditions.¹

In addition, peptides are present in supplements derived from oats, soy, eggs, milk, and other animal and plant sources. These supplements usually come in two forms: creatine and collagen. Creatine peptides enhance muscle mass, and collagen peptides promote skin health.

Because collagen is believed to ameliorate skin health, many researchers claim it can reduce wrinkles, which is why it’s a major ingredient in anti-aging creams. There are also studies claiming that it can remedy wounds and acne.²

Creatine is commonly used by bodybuilding communities since it expands the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stored in muscles. As muscles relax, the ATP recharges the body. Additionally, its protein synthesis assists users in building approximately 15 percent more muscle, decreasing fatigue, and strengthening memory.³

Peptides have many uses for promoting human health. Nonetheless, it’s one thing to praise their benefits.

But, it begs the question of how safe they are.

Is it Safe to Consume Peptides?

Some people may be hesitant to consume peptides because they’re concerned about any negative effects they may have on human health. These concerns are valid since peptides can produce side effects in certain individuals including:

• Water retention
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Skin numbness
• Rashes
• The appearance of new freckles or moles

Then again, anything can cause side effects, even well-known medicines like ibuprofen and cough syrup.

However, what makes peptides different from over-the-counter remedies is that some of them are manufactured by companies that carry out unscrupulous practices, which can put people’s lives in danger. This is why prospective users should ensure that the peptides they buy are FDA-approved.

According to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), there are about 100 approved peptide medicines on the market in Japan, the United States, and Europe. Furthermore, the FDA has a process applicants should abide by when peptides are evaluated for approval:

• Applicants have to make sure their product is effective and safe for human consumption.
• The Office of Pharmaceutical Quality examines applications to check for a peptide’s effectiveness by studying its clinical use, anything that may affect the quality of said product, and if there are any other studies needed to evaluate it further.
• During this process, clinical investigations are carried out throughout three phases. The first one involves approximately 20 or more individuals. The second phase features studies with hundreds of volunteers. The third and last one consists of studies conducted on thousands of patients.
• Once all the data is collected and is granted FDA approval, then it’s alright for companies to market it.⁴

Source: Taveesaksri via Canva.com²⁷

Because there’s been a growth of brand name peptides, the FDA decided to consider the approval of their generic versions since brand names can be tough for some to afford. Plus, since many peptide products possess a distinct chain of amino acids, there’s a risk of toxins contaminating the generic medicines. Fortunately, scientists made a breakthrough in 2015 with the approval of glatiramer acetate, its first generic peptide.

With that said, patrons need to take steps to protect themselves from being ripped off, or worse, poisoned:

• Make sure the product is purchased from an FDA-approved vendor.
• Watch for red flags like dated or inaccurate information on vendor websites.
• Read and analyze ingredients on packages.
• Converse with medical professionals to aid in decision-making.⁵

Is Peptide Therapy Effective for Losing Weight?

Though they’re typically used for strength training or skin repair, some people use peptides for weight loss purposes. That’s because natural growth hormones gradually decrease with age, resulting in weight gain. People turn to growth hormone peptides to address this issue.

Growth hormone peptides come in the form of a pill or MIC (Methionine Inositol Choline) injection and are used to decrease visceral fat while enhancing muscle mass. (MIC is a mixture of amino acids that aids in fat removal.) Utilizing them while combining exercise and healthy eating can ameliorate heart function, reduce the chances of becoming obese, and keep Type 2 diabetes at bay.⁶

And, this isn’t just hearsay. Many studies have proven the effectiveness of peptide therapy on weight loss and overall health.

Studies Surrounding Peptides & Weight Loss

A few studies were conducted on peptides and their effects on weight loss. For instance, a study that tested the effects of peptides on mice, rats, and patients shows potential for using them as anti-obesity and anti-diabetic remedies. Another report portrays the successful results of peptides on a patient who had bariatric surgery after consuming them.

Reading these studies can make prospective users more confident in trying out peptides.

Which Peptides Encourage Fat Loss? A Comparison of 16 Popular Peptides Used for Weight Loss

Before an individual tries peptides, it can help them to learn which ones assist them in their weight loss goals. Here’s a list of peptides that encourage fat loss:

1. Ipamorelin: Ipamorelin stimulates the pituitary gland to send hormones to the bloodstream. In addition, it helps relieve pain, regulates body temperature, and improves thinking skills.
2. CJC 1295: In the past, CJC 1295 was used as a remedy for certain diseases. Since then, it has become popular among athletes and other health enthusiasts because it strengthens muscles. Combining this with ipamorelin can accelerate the human body’s metabolism rate.⁷ (Both CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin are injectable medications)
3. Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin, sometimes known as Egrifta, aids people in reducing fatty tissue, especially fatty deposits that form around their stomachs. Additionally, it can strengthen the cognitive skills of those with the ApoE4 gene, which increases their Alzheimer’s risk. It’s an injectable medication.
4. 5-Amino-1MQ: 5-Amino-1MQ is a capsule-form peptide that fights against the NNMT enzyme to impede obesity.
5. AOD 9604: As an injectable peptide, AOD 9604 can decrease body fat by breaking down fat cells, aka lipolysis.
6. Tesofensine: Before, scientists studied tesofensine as a possible treatment for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. But when participants began losing weight during the tests, the scientists decided to study its effects on weight loss and appetite suppression.
7. MOTS-C: This peptide comes from mitochondria. And due to its mitochondrial origins, MOTS-C can stimulate cells to combat obesity as well as extend human life.
8. Amlexanox: What was once an anti-inflammatory drug is now a pill-based medicine used to aid in weight loss. Amlexanox ameliorates insulin sensitivity by decreasing glucose levels and increasing the body’s metabolism.⁸
9. Hexarelin: Hexarelin is an injectable peptide that sometimes goes by the names hexarelin acetate and tesamorelin. It accelerates the growth of natural hormones, resulting in instant weight loss and stronger, leaner muscles.⁹
10. Serovital: Serovital is typically used to reduce wrinkles and stimulate HGH. It can also promote fat loss and weight reduction.¹⁰
11. Sermorelin: Sermorelin was first created in the 1970s for use as an anti-aging remedy. Today, this injectable medicine helps people lose weight by breaking down fat and building muscle mass.¹¹
12. MK-677: MK-677, a medicine occasionally known as ibutamoren, decreases muscle atrophy, encourages growth hormone production, and strengthens bone density.¹²
13. GHRP-2: Also known as Growth Hormone-Releasing peptide-2, it controls the growth of hormones and muscle mass. (This is why it’s typically used by seniors.) In addition, GHRP-2 reduces fat, making it ideal for athletes and other people interested in losing weight.¹³
14. Alexamorelin: Alexamorelin promotes hormone growth by attaching itself to receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This causes increased muscle mass and weight reduction.¹⁴
15. Wegovy: Wegovy, sometimes called Semaglutide, is a prescription weight loss pill approved by the FDA in 2021. It decreases an individual’s hunger while making them feel full at the same time.
16. BPC-157: Body Protection Compound 157, or BPC-157, is a synthetic peptide located in the abdomen. It’s typically used to heal wounds and gastronomical ailments like stomach ulcers. BPC-157 also has weight loss benefits like increased muscle-building rates and quicker recovery from intense workouts. People can choose to inject this medicine or take it in pill form.¹⁵

What is the Best Peptide for Weight Loss?

With so many peptides out there, it’s difficult for many people to choose the one that’s most suitable for losing weight. Luckily for them, we’ve done the heavy lifting to make their task a little easier.

And why should they limit themselves to one or two peptides for weight loss when they can select from the top 10 listed below?:

• CJC 1295
• Ipamorelin
• Tesamorelin
• Serovital
• MK-677
• Sermorelin
• GHRP-2
• MOTS-C
• AOD 9604
• Wegovy

Research on the 10 Best Peptides to Lose Weight

The following peptides have been chosen based on research, effectiveness in weight loss, and ease of use. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to find the peptide that’s best for their needs.

CJC 1295

In a study that involved volunteers aged 21 to 61, CJC 1295 injections were used to determine any effects on biological growth hormones. After a few weeks, there were no signs of adverse reactions. Additionally, other research shows that CJC 1295 can promote insulin-like growth from the liver, resulting in a leaner body shape.

Ipamorelin

Ipamorelin remains stable for long periods, making it ideal as a weight loss aid. This allows users to lose weight more quickly and experience increased muscle mass.

CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin work best when mixed together because they have a shortened half-life when used alone.¹⁶ As mentioned previously, using this mixture speeds up metabolism, making it simpler for someone to lose weight.

However, both can be hectic to handle since some people wouldn’t want to go through the trouble of mixing two medicines to aid them in their weight loss goals.

Tesamorelin

In a clinical trial, participants aged 18 to 70 took Tesamorelin for about a year. At the end of the experiment, they decided to take part in a six-month, open-label treatment phase.

Tesamorelin is effective in reducing fat surrounding the liver, especially for individuals seeking HIV treatment. A study even showed how it can even decrease triglyceride levels in healthy people.

Serovital

According to a study, Serovital can augment the level of healthy adults within a short amount of time, about a couple of hours. The trial consisted of 16 volunteers who first took a placebo or Serovital blend before their growth hormone levels were measured at 15 to 30-minute intervals.

Once two hours passed, the level of growth hormones had a bigger increase with the Serovital blend than with the placebo.¹⁷

Though this was a short study involving a small number of volunteers, it demonstrated how powerful Serovital (and other peptides) are. In fact, it’s likely why they’re available to all adults when they used to be limited to professional athletes since they promote lean muscle tissue.

MK-677

MK-677 is sometimes confused with SARMS (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators), but that couldn’t be further from the truth. MK-677 accelerates hormone growth while SARMS connect bone and muscle androgen receptors.¹⁸

While MK-677 works well for young adults, it’s been shown to aid older adults, too. A study testing the effects of oral MK-677 on the body composition of seniors showed that MK-677 decreased LDL levels in the volunteers.

LDL, an acronym for low-density lipoprotein, plays a large role in ailments like heart disease and obesity. What’s great about MK-677 is that it increases muscle development and burns fat, keeping LDLs in check.

Sermorelin

Sermorelin is supported by extensive research due to it being safer than typical hormone therapy treatments. Why are they safer? Because it stimulates a person’s endocrine system, not try to imitate it. Therefore, there’s no risk of users contracting cancer.

Though it’s typically used for anti-aging purposes, Sermorelin can lower the production of fat cells as well as strengthen muscle mass.¹⁹

GHRP-2

Many studies have proven GHRP-2 to be stronger than other amino acid growth hormone stimulators. For example, scientists compared other growth hormone stimulators with GHRP-2 on their effects on the pituitary gland.

The growth hormone stimulators increased somatotropin secretions by only two to three times. In contrast, GHRP-2 increased the secretions by seven to 15 times.

Additionally, GHRP-2 can assist others in losing weight by decreasing cholesterol levels and building muscles.²⁰

MOTS-C

In a study, scientists subjected mice to MOTS-C treatments, which stopped them from becoming obese and reduced their insulin resistance. This shows promise in combating human diseases as well since MOTS-C can also increase energy and regulate someone’s metabolism.

AOD 9604

During the 1990s at Monash University, scientists were aiming to create a drug that would decrease fat while protecting muscle health. After conducting the experiments, they discovered that AOD 9604 accelerates metabolism, resulting in more rapid weight loss.

Another study featured six trials to test how the human body reacts to AOD 9604. Scientists then took blood samples from patients and noticed that antibodies didn’t form to defend themselves against AOD 9604. Therefore, it’s a safe and effective way for a person to shed pounds.²¹

Wegovy

Though Wegovy is in its infancy, it’s an extremely potent weight loss aid. It was lauded by many media venues like the BBC and Medical News Today. It went through four trials that each lasted over a year. One thousand fifty patients in the studies got a placebo, and the rest of the patients received Wegovy.

At the end of the studies, the people who took Wegovy lost a little over 12 percent of weight compared to the placebo users.

What makes Wegovy a great peptide? It slows the emptying of a person’s stomach, making them less likely to eat outside of scheduled meal times or ruin their diet plan.

How Often Should I Inject or Consume Peptides When Attempting to Slim Down?

Before anyone uses peptides for weight loss, it can help them to know how often they should use them, especially if they’re planning to lose weight without exercise. The dosage of pills or peptide injections they need varies from medicine to medicine.

For example, CJC 1295 requires people to set an appointment to get bloodwork done prior to injecting them. Plus, they need to inject it into their belly at least five days a week to get the best results.²²

Source: ภาพของjes2ufoto via Canva.com²⁸

When it comes to taking MK-677, a capsule-based medicine, it’s recommended for users to take up to 25 milligrams a day, about half an hour before a meal.²³ In contrast, Wegovy doesn’t require someone to have an empty stomach before ingesting it.

Side Effects of Lipo Injections

Though lipo injections are safe and effective, some people may have adverse reactions to them like:

• Redness around the injection site
• Numb hands or feet
• Frequent urination
• Allergic reaction
• Vomiting
• Excessive sweating²⁴

Ensure Lipo Injections are Okay for You

Interested parties can visit their physician for a wellness exam to make sure lipo injections are right for them. In addition, they shouldn’t expect lightning-fast results. It can take several weeks before they see signs of weight loss. Plus, it’s not recommended for those with a needle phobia.

How Quick Do Peptides Show Weight Loss Benefits? Before & After Timeline

Seeing the effects of peptides on weight loss requires lots of patience since it can take up to half a year for an individual to benefit from them. But, for many people, it’s worth the wait. Below is a timeline of before and after photos of what users can expect per month:

• Month 1: Better sleep, more energy, reduced body fat, peace of mind
• Month 2: Decreased stomach fat and wrinkles, cleaner skin, fuller hair, better muscle tone
• Month 3: Improved joint health, more flexible body, clearer mental focus

Notice on day one he’s still retaining some fat in his abdomen and on day 90 he’s much leaner so his muscles and striations are more visible. Source: Jon Anthony on Youtube²⁹

• Month 4: Stronger skin elasticity, bigger muscle mass
• Month 5: Better hair volume, noticeable reduction of stomach fat, neater skin appearance
• Month 6: A 10-percent increase in lean muscle mass as well as a five to 10-percent decrease in fat²⁵

Notice she’s bloated and fatter in her before picture but in the after picture her waist is slimmer, her overall physique is thinner and leaner. Source: @OfPeptide on Twitter³⁰

Other Ways to Increase the Effectiveness of Peptides on Weight Loss

People can see the best weight loss results when combining peptides with dieting or exercising. For instance, an individual can consider consuming less food while taking peptides to enhance their diet plan. (This works well in conjunction with Wegovy since it’s a hunger suppressant.)

Source: microgen via Canva.com³¹

It was mentioned earlier how bodybuilders and athletes integrate peptides in their weight lifting routines due to their muscle-building properties. Someone who takes part in activities like morning jogs or afternoon bike rides can benefit from peptides, too.

Some types of peptides, particularly collagen peptides, can even be added to food and beverages. (These are excellent options for people who want to avoid the hassle of getting a prescription for a shot or pill.) People can put collagen peptides into their chili or fruit smoothies. If they don’t want to risk having a lumpy breakfast or lunch, they can heat up a thin broth, which naturally contains collagen.²⁶

Individuals desperate to shed some pounds are likely to research many solutions ranging from a weight loss patch to fad diets. They’ll probably be relieved to learn about peptides since many people aren’t familiar with them. However, it’s essential that they study the benefits and risks before using peptides for weight loss.

FAQ About Peptides for Weight Loss

How Many Peptides Are Approved for Consumption?

As stated before, there are about 100 peptides that the FDA approved for human consumption. Approximately 20 peptides have been approved in the United States, and around 18 peptides were approved in the European Union.

Is it Possible for Peptides to Encourage Muscle Growth?

Yes, it’s the main reason why athletes and bodybuilders use them. Human growth hormones stem from the pituitary gland, which plays a role in puberty. Some people opt for peptides since they can boost the flow of human growth hormones, resulting in leaner and stronger muscles while using peptides for weight loss at the same time.