Peptides for Metabolic Health

33 research peptides are currently studied for metabolic health. This guide ranks them by evidence strength and covers their mechanisms, safety profiles, and current clinical status.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4113.6 g/mol, molecular formula C187H291N45O59) with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1. It is approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic), chronic weight management (Wegovy), and non-cirrhotic MASH (Wegovy). Developed by Novo Nordisk and first...

Key claims: Causes significant weight loss; Improves blood sugar control.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / Dual GIP-GLP-1 Agonist

Tirzepatide is a first-in-class dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro) and chronic weight management (Zepbound) including severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity. It is a 39-amino-acid peptide with a C20 fatty di-acid moi...

Key claims: Superior weight loss compared to semaglutide; Improves blood sugar control.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / Mitochondrial

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane, binding to cardiolipin and stabilizing cristae structure. It is being developed by Stealth BioTherapeutics for mitochondrial diseases, heart failure, and age-related mitoch...

Key claims: Improves mitochondrial function; Reduces cardiac dysfunction.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Liraglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist with 97% amino acid sequence homology to endogenous human GLP-1. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is approved as Victoza for type 2 diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management. It was the first GLP-1 agonist approved for obesity. While effect...

Key claims: Clinically significant weight loss; Improves glycemic control.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Exenatide is a 39-amino-acid GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4186.6 g/mol) originally derived from exendin-4, a peptide found in the saliva of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum). It was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA, with Byetta (twice-daily injection) approved in April 2005 a...

Key claims: Improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes; Produces modest weight loss.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Dulaglutide (brand name Trulicity) is a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, FDA-approved in September 2014 for type 2 diabetes. It is a fusion protein consisting of a GLP-1 analog covalently linked to a modified human IgG4 Fc fragment via a small peptide linker (MW ~59,670 g/m...

Key claims: Effective glycemic control in type 2 diabetes; Produces clinically meaningful weight loss.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Lixisenatide is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist (MW ~4858.5 g/mol) based on the exendin-4 scaffold, with a modified C-terminal tail containing six lysine residues. It was developed by Sanofi and FDA-approved in July 2016 (Adlyxin) for type 2 diabetes. It is also marketed as Lyxumia outside the U...

Key claims: Reduces HbA1c in type 2 diabetes; Potent reduction of postprandial glucose.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / GLP-1 Agonist

Albiglutide (brand name Tanzeum in the US, Eperzan in Europe) was a once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist consisting of two copies of a modified GLP-1 sequence fused to human albumin (MW ~72,970 g/mol). Developed by GlaxoSmithKline, it was FDA-approved in April 2014 for type 2 diabetes. GSK voluntarily...

Key claims: Reduces HbA1c in type 2 diabetes; Reduces major adverse cardiovascular events.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / Amylin Analog

Pramlintide (brand name Symlin) is a synthetic analog of amylin, a 37-amino-acid pancreatic hormone co-secreted with insulin from beta cells (MW ~3949.4 g/mol). FDA-approved in March 2005, it is the only amylin analog approved for clinical use and is indicated as adjunctive therapy for type 1 and ty...

Key claims: Reduces postprandial glucose excursions; Reduces HbA1c in T1D and T2D.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / Bone Health

Calcitonin (salmon) is a synthetic 32-amino-acid peptide hormone (MW ~3431.9 g/mol) identical to calcitonin produced by the ultimobranchial glands of salmon. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis (nasal spray), hypercalcemia of malignancy (injection), and Paget disease ...

Key claims: Reduces vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal osteoporosis; Reduces bone pain in Paget disease.

Evidence Rating: A Category: Metabolic / MC4R Agonist

Setmelanotide (brand name Imcivree) is a cyclic 8-amino-acid peptide (MW ~1117.3 g/mol) that acts as a melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) agonist. FDA-approved in November 2020 by Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, it is the first-ever treatment for chronic weight management in patients aged 6 years and older with...

Key claims: Significant weight loss in POMC deficiency obesity; Effective in LEPR deficiency obesity.

Evidence Rating: B Category: Metabolic / Triple Agonist

Retatrutide is a first-in-class investigational triple hormone receptor agonist (GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon) developed by Eli Lilly. In the Phase 2 trial (Jastreboff et al., NEJM 2023, n=338), the 12 mg dose achieved 24.2% mean body weight reduction at 48 weeks, with 100% of participants achieving at ...

Key claims: Unprecedented weight loss in Phase 2; Phase 3 confirms efficacy with osteoarthritis benefit.