World Atlas Obesity 2023 predicts that more than half of the global population will be affected by obesity in 12 years if not prevented and in accordance with the 2016 NHANES Report, it shows that 39% of American adults are obese.
Obesity has turned into a global epidemic. As per the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022, 2.5 billion people were overweight and out of these 890 million were obese. Obesity doesn’t just revolve around increased weight but involves various risk factors and can lead to many chronic diseases.
Peptides for weight loss have always shown prominent results in researches and have grabbed the attention of researchers.
Peptides are molecules made up of short chains of amino acids and are the building blocks of proteins. They often act as signaling molecules or hormones while proteins have a wide range of functions including structural support.
They have shown promising results for therapeutic effects on obesity because of their various physiological traits such as metabolism, appetite regulation, fat browning, or hormonal control. Peptides have several benefits other than obesity treatment such as:
- Specificity: Peptides are designed in such a way with the ability to target specific molecules or receptors which makes it easy for precise interactions and targetted effects in the body.
- Lower toxicity: Some traditional drugs that are used in weight loss might have toxic components in them, however, peptides contain lower toxicity levels and are endured by the body in better ways.
- Minimal side effects: As compared to some synthetic drugs, peptides have minimal effects due to their targeted nature.
- Diverse Application: Peptides don’t just work as obesity resistors but they have diverse applications. Their versatile properties have led to exploration in various fields, including cancer therapy, the development of antimicrobial agents, wound healing, and the treatment of neurological disorders.
In this blog, we are going to discuss 7 best peptides for weight loss.
In this article
7 Best Peptides for Weight Loss:
Peptides for weight loss target different pathways by balancing energy regulation, regulating appetite, and transmitting satiety signals to the brain promoting less intake of food. It also plays a crucial role in insulin secretion and browning of white fat cells into brown fat cells which are active tissues that burn calories to generate heat, thus contributing to weight loss.
Neuropeptide Y (NPY):
One of the best peptides for weight loss in our body is Neuropeptide Y (NPY). It is a neuropeptide transmitter that is found in the brain and peripheral nervous system. It plays a crucial role in regulating your appetite, it works on the hypothalamus affecting feeding behavior and energy balance. Along with this it also modulates stress and regulates your circadian rhythm.
How to increasea NPY levels naturally?
There are a few ways to increase NPY levels, through strenuous exercise, an increased exposure to cold and lesser psychological stress. Along with that, a study has also proved to increase NPY levels 3 weeks after nicotine withdrawal!
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1):
The second one of the peptides for weight loss is Glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a hormone that is found in the intestine and impacts our glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Frequently prescribed in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, they are known for their capacity to boost insulin secretion besides showing promising results for obesity.
How to increase your Glucagon-like peptide-1 levels naturally?
Eating more fiber, lean protein, healthy fat, and water-rich fruits and vegetables can increase GLP-1 naturally and help with weight loss. Some small studies show that certain supplements — like berberine, curcumin, and ginseng — boost GLP-1 levels.
Brain-gut peptide:
Another one of the peptides for weight loss is the brain-gut peptide. A generic term used for hormones produced in both the brain and gastrointestinal tract. A well-known Brain-gut peptide is Cholecystokinin (CCK), which is extensively studied for its benefits such as absorbing nutrition, stimulating digestive functions, and maintaining gut motility.
Leptin:
Produced in adipose tissue, this is one of the peptides for weight loss used for managing energy balance and body weight. It supports fat metabolism by promoting lipolysis. A lower level of leptin indicates obesity development, whereas a higher level of leptin is associated with increased fat mass and bone health.
How to increase your leptin levels naturally?
Increase your daily consumption of complex carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables. They are great sources of fibre and water, and eating more will tell your brain that you are full – without a high calorie intake. You can also include whole oats and pastas, quinoa, and brown rice in moderation.
Adiponectin:
Another important of the peptides for weight loss is adiponectin. This is also produced in adipose tissue playing a crucial part in overseeing diverse metabolic processes. It stimulates fat breakdown by promoting lipid oxidation. Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory characteristics that support cardiovascular well-being and mitigate the likelihood of heart attacks. Lower levels of adiponectin indicate obesity complications while higher levels are generally linked to improved metabolic health.
How to increase your adiponectin levels naturally?
In terms of dietary components, high fiber content, fish-rich diet, legume-rich diet, low-glycemic index diet, and low-calorie diet are some of the dietary patterns that have been shown to enhance adiponectin levels.
Peptide YY (PYY):
A hormone produced by cells in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly in the ileum and colon. PYY influences gut motility and works as an appetite suppressant by signaling feelings of fullness or satiety to the brain. The gut hormone peptide YY (PYY) is a 36-amino acid peptide that is synthesized and released from specialized enteroendocrine cells called L-cells found predominantly within the distal GI tract.
How to increase your Peptide YY levels?
High Protein Intake Stimulates Postprandial GLP1 and PYY Release. Fasting plasma levels of PYY are under the influence of several factors including exercise, body weight status, adiposity level and ethnicity, whereas sex and age have little effect.
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH):
It is a peptide hormone that is produced in response to stress by the hypothalamus. It manages the body’s stress response system and stimulates cortisol release from the adrenal glands to help cope with stressful situations. For short-term stressful situations, activation of CRH is necessary but heightened levels have been linked to a range of health concerns, including anxiety disorders, depression, and metabolic imbalances.
How to increase CRH Levels naturally?
Increased CRH production has been observed to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease and major depression, and autosomal recessive hypothalamic corticotropin deficiency has multiple and potentially fatal metabolic consequences including hypoglycemia.
To crown it all, peptides have always proved to be reliable solutions for sustainable weight loss which can target metabolic diseases like obesity, even they offer various treatments for many diseases such as cancer by selectively targeting cancer cells through their ability to target specific molecules.
Also, read about intermittent fasting for weight loss here.
Peptides for weight loss hold immense potential to emerge as valuable tools in addressing obesity through therapeutic interventions with low toxicity and side effects compared to traditional drugs. Though peptides promote a healthier lifestyle, health experts should monitor patients carefully who are on peptides to minimize any risk and similarly, it is advised for individuals to consult their doctors before adapting peptides. To get answers to all your health related topics, stay tuned.
