semaglutide

The Best Weight Loss Peptides That Actually Work

If you’ve been struggling with weight loss for years, going through countless diets from keto to intermittent fasting with frustratingly mixed results, peptide therapy might be the breakthrough you haven’t considered yet.

These aren’t typical supplements gathering dust at the back of health stores. They’re sophisticated compounds working with your body’s existing hormonal pathways, and the clinical research supporting their effectiveness continues to strengthen. 

If you think you haven’t heard of weight loss peptides before, you have! These peptides are the science behind Mounjaro, Ozempic, Saxenda, and more.

Because the information online can be overwhelming, the team here at UK SARMs has created this simple yet comprehensive guide that cuts through the hype to focus on the details you want and need when deciding on the best weight loss peptide for you.

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a synthetic peptide that was originally submitted for a patent in 2016 by Eli Lilly and Company. After going through extensive research and trials, it was branded as Mounjaro and approved by the FDA in 2022 for the specific treatment of type 2 diabetes. It was then approved for use in Europe in September 2022. Canada and Australia followed suit, approving its use for type 2 diabetes before the end of 2022. 

In 2023, the FDA then approved the Tirzepatide-based brand Zepbound for its weight loss properties. More recently, Tirzepatide was again FDA-approved for its treatment of sleep apnea. 

How does Tirzepatide work?

Tirzepatide functions through a dual-action approach that has revolutionised weight management treatments. Tirzepatide is a synthetic dual peptide that activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors in the body. When these receptors are activated, they trigger multiple physiological responses in the body that positively contribute to weight loss. 

These responses include:

  • An increase in insulin production
  • The liver reduces glucose output
  • Gastric emptying slows considerably
  • Appetite control centres in the brain receive signals to reduce hunger

Benefits of Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide offers further benefits outside of weight loss, making it an innovative option for those struggling with obesity and the effects of obesity. 

  • Weight loss: up to 15-21% of total body weight over the 72-week treatment period, with many individuals losing upwards of 50 pounds, according to the landmark SURMOUNT-1 clinical trial published in 2022.
  • Blood pressure improvement: measurements show remarkable improvement for most users, contributing significantly to reduced cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Aids cholesterol levels: Demonstrates extraordinary effectiveness in normalising cholesterol profiles, with participants showing meaningful improvements in both HDL and LDL levels throughout the treatment course.
  • Treats diabetes: Clinical data reveal that approximately 95% of participants with prediabetes returned to normal glycaemic measurements by the trial conclusion.
  • Muscle mass management: Tirzepatide appears to preserve muscle mass more effectively, with research indicating approximately three times more fat loss than lean tissue reduction during weight loss.
  • Insulin levels: Insulin sensitivity increases dramatically when taking Tirzepatide, which then offers additional metabolic benefits beyond weight loss; this then contributes to an individual’s overall health improvement.

Side Effects of Tirzepatide

As with most medications and supplements, there is always a risk of side effects, most of which are minimal and short-term. Typically, side effects are at their worst 24-48 hours after the injection and will then ease off. Additionally, the side effects may be worse in the weeks that you increase your dose.

We’ve broken down the side effects below:

Very Common Side Effects:

  • Feeling sick
  • Physically being sick
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain

Common Side Effects: 

  • Irritation at the injection site
  • Heartburn or reflux
  • Bloating
  • Excessive wind
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Gallstones

Uncommon Side Effects:

  • Fast pulse
  • Inflamed pancreas 
  • Low blood sugar
  • Cholecystitis (infection of the Gallbladder)
  • Severe allergic reaction leading to breathing difficulties and swelling of the airways – very rare

As with any new medication or supplement, it’s advisable to monitor for side effects. Seek medical advice if any side effects are prolonged or painful.

How to use Tirzepatide? 

Tirzepatide is injected subcutaneously, typically in the thighs, upper arms, or stomach. It is advised to rotate where you inject to avoid any irritation of the injection site, such as a raised bump or itchiness. 

Tirzepatide is injected once a week, starting with a low dose of 2.5mg for the first 2-4 weeks, before slowly increasing your dose every 4 weeks. The first low dose of 2.5mg is a ‘tolerance dose,’ meaning it is designed to help your body build tolerance to the side effects rather than triggering immediate and rapid weight loss. 

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a synthetic peptide designed to act like the body’s natural GLP-1. After years of research in the 1970s–90s, GLP-1 studies and clinical trials were conducted throughout the early 2000s. Eventually, after trials across 33 countries and with thousands of participants, Novo Nordisk filed for FDA approval of semaglutide as a treatment for diabetes in 2016. In 2017, under the name Ozempic, it was approved for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. 

Since then, it has received FDA approval for the treatment of adults with cardiovascular risks and type 2 diabetes, as well as being the only GLP-1 receptor agonist to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and cardiovascular death in users. Furthermore, in 2024, it was approved to reduce the severity of common liver disease in HIV patients. 

How does Semaglutide work?

Semaglutide functions as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mimicking the action of the naturally occurring incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 within the human body. 

When administered, semaglutide binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors distributed throughout multiple organ systems, triggering a series of physiological responses. In the pancreas, semaglutide stimulates insulin secretion from beta cells while simultaneously suppressing glucagon release from alpha cells. 

These effects occur only when blood glucose levels rise, minimising hypoglycemia risk. The effect of the semaglutide extends beyond pancreatic action; it significantly slows gastric emptying and directly impacts the appetite-regulation centre in the hypothalamus. 

Benefits of Semaglutide

  • Effective appetite suppression: The appetite suppression occurs through direct action on hypothalamic receptors, essentially resetting the body’s internal “hunger thermostat” to a lower set point that more closely resembles metabolically healthy individuals.
  • Blood sugar regulation: Semaglutide causes enhanced insulin secretion, reduced glucagon production, improved insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, and decreased hepatic glucose output, which all have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. This means that for many users, these changes translate to significant reductions in their diabetes medication requirements, sometimes eliminating the need for insulin altogether.
  • Increased feelings of fullness: The peptide enhances natural hormone signals that communicate stomach fullness to the brain. Essentially amplifying the body’s built-in portion control mechanisms to feel fuller quicker. 
  • Slows gastric emptying: This is the process of slowing down the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. By doing this, it extends the duration of post-meal satisfaction, meaning that it will take longer to feel hungry again compared to your normal.

Side Effects of Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a very effective weight loss peptide; however, it does come with some side effects. These side effects are usually worse in the days after the injection, or when the dose is increased, and they do wear off as the days and weeks progress. 

We’ve made a simple list below for you to assess the side effects: 

Very Common Side Effects:

  • Feeling sick
  • Physically being sick
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Cold-like symptoms: runny nose/sore throat

Common Side Effects

  • Irritation at the injection site
  • A loss of muscle mass due to rapid weight loss
  • Heartburn or reflux
  • Bloating
  • Excessive wind
  • Fatigue

Uncommon Side Effects:

  • Gallstones
  • Increased heart rate
  • Low blood sugar
  • Cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder)
  • Severe allergic reaction leading to breathing difficulties and swelling of the airways – very rare

As with taking any new medication or supplements, it is advised to monitor for side effects and seek medical advice for any prolonged or painful side effects. 

How to use Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a once-a-week injection and is to be injected subcutaneously into the thighs, upper arms, or stomach. It is advised to inject on the same day each week and to change your injection site weekly to avoid irritation.

It is best to start on a lower dose to ‘introduce’ the peptide to your body with minimal side effects before building up to larger doses.

Liraglutide 

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) that shares 97% amino acid sequence homology with the naturally occurring incretin hormone GLP-1. The medication was first developed by Novo Nordisk and has received multiple FDA approvals. In 2010, it was initially approved as Victoza for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Then, in 2014, it was approved as Saxenda specifically for chronic weight management in adults before eventually being extended to include children over 12 with weight-related issues. 

Benefits of Liraglutide

  • Clinically Significant Weight Loss: Multiple phase three clinical trials have demonstrated that patients using Liraglutide typically lose between 5-10% of their total body weight over a 56-week treatment period. Additionally, the SCALE Maintenance trial showed that 50.5% of patients achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to just 21.8% with placebo.
  • Appetite Regulation: Liraglutide directly affects the hypothalamic appetite centre, which works to reduce hunger and food cravings. This makes it easier for users to manage their weight loss because the ‘food noise’ they typically experience is dramatically reduced.
  • Improved Metabolic Parameters: Liraglutide treatment has been shown to improve several cardiometabolic markers, including contributing to the improvement of cholesterol profiles and better glycaemic control. These changes contribute to overall health improvements beyond what weight loss alone can achieve.
  • Cardiovascular Benefits: In people with high cardiovascular risk, Liraglutide has demonstrated the ability to reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular causes
  • Enhanced Glycaemic Control: Liraglutide significantly improves blood glucose regulation by increasing insulin secretion, reducing glucagon release, and improving insulin sensitivity, making Liraglutide hugely beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes or those with prediabetes.
  • Sustained Weight Maintenance: The SCALE Maintenance trial demonstrated that 81.4% of Liraglutide-treated patients maintained their initial 5% weight loss, compared to only 48.9% of placebo-treated patients, proving its effectiveness for long-term weight management rather than just initial loss.
  • Delayed Gastric Emptying: This is a physiological response that considerably extends post-meal satisfaction by slowing the movement of food from the stomach to the intestines. This increases the period of time that users feel full and satiated after meals. 

Side Effects of Liraglutide

Common Side Effects:

  • Feeling sick
  • Physically being sick
  • Headaches
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach pain
  • Heartburn or reflux
  • Bloating
  • Excessive wind
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Hair loss

Rare Side Effects:

  • Gallstones
  • Hives
  • Cholecystitis (infection of the gallbladder)
  • Infection or irritation of the injection site 
  • Severe allergic reaction leading to breathing difficulties and swelling of the airways – very rare

As with any new medication or supplement, it’s advisable to keep an eye on side effects and seek medical advice if any of your side effects are prolonged or painful.

How to use Liraglutide

Liraglutide is administered as one injection per week, delivered subcutaneously. Injection sites include the stomach, thighs, and upper arms. To prevent irritation, it is recommended to inject on the same day each week and to rotate the injection site weekly.

Normally, you will begin with a lower dose of Liraglutide, which is to allow your body to adjust to the peptide with minimal side effects. This then gradually increases to higher doses.

Important Considerations for All Peptides

There are currently multiple weight loss peptides available on the market, so it can be challenging to decide on the best weight loss peptide for you. There are several important considerations to consider when deciding:

  • It is advised that all FDA-approved peptides require medical supervision
  • Taking weight loss peptides for an extended period of time can affect the liver, kidneys, and thyroid. 
  • The results of taking a weight loss peptide will vary from person to person, even for those who are at similar starting points; this is due to genetics and lifestyle.
  • Weight loss peptides work best when they are combined with healthy changes in diet and exercise.

At UK SARMs, we’ve created a helpful comparison table of the most common weight loss peptides available on the market:

Peptide Average Weight Loss Results Timeframe Mechanism Dosing
Tirzepatide  15-22.5% of body weight Significant results 12-16 weeks Dual GLP-1 and GIP agonist Once a week
Semaglutide  12-17% of body weight Noticeable results in 8-12 weeks GLP-1 receptor agonist Once a week
Liraglutide 5-10% of body weight 16-20 weeks GLP-1 receptor agonist Once a week

Final Thoughts

Whatever peptide path you choose to explore, remember that these medications represent tools, not magic solutions. Those who maintain their results the longest are those who use peptides as one part of their health journey. 

If you’ve been struggling with weight loss for years without sustainable progress, then perhaps it’s time to consider a different route. Ready to experience the transformative benefits of semaglutide? At UK SARMs, we’re proud to offer our certified semaglutide as part of our peptide collection. You can find it on offer here: Semaglutide (5mg): Weight Loss Injection, Free Delivery.

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