5 Peptides for Weight Loss (That Aren’t Ozempic)

5 Peptides for Weight Loss (That Aren’t Ozempic)

Ozempic® and Wegovy® (semaglutide) have dominated headlines for their ability to control appetite and support major weight loss. But GLP-1s aren’t the only peptides with metabolic impact.

A new generation of targeted peptides is emerging - designed to optimize metabolism, improve fat oxidation, preserve lean mass, and enhance recovery without relying solely on appetite suppression.

At Regen Therapy, these compounds are evaluated through a precision healthspan lens: they are not “miracle shots” but tools to restore metabolic efficiency when used alongside nutrition, resistance training, and sleep optimization.

Here are five peptides that show promise for body recomposition and metabolic support - all outside the GLP-1 category.

1. AOD-9604: The Fat-Metabolizing Fragment of HGH

What It Is

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment (amino acids 177–191) of human growth hormone that retains HGH’s fat-burning effect without affecting IGF-1 or growth pathways.

How It Works

• Stimulates lipolysis (fat breakdown) and blocks lipogenesis (new fat formation)

• Improves fat oxidation during fasting and exercise

• Does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels

Why It’s Unique

It isolates HGH’s metabolic benefits without hormonal side effects, making it ideal for adults seeking fat reduction and metabolic flexibility rather than muscle hypertrophy.

Typical use: Subcutaneous injection, 8–12 week cycles, often paired with MOTS-c or GLP-1s for synergy.

2. MOTS-c: The Mitochondrial Energy Peptide

What It Is

MOTS-c is a peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, discovered in 2015, that mimics many of the benefits of exercise at the cellular level.

How It Works

• Activates AMPK, the body’s master energy sensor

• Increases fat oxidation and glucose utilization

• Enhances exercise endurance and recovery

• Improves insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function

Why It’s Unique

MOTS-c is an “exercise mimetic” that improves energy efficiency, helping the body adapt to training and burn fat more effectively. It complements GLP-1s, which focus on appetite, by targeting cellular metabolism directly.

Typical use: SubQ injection, 2–3 times per week during training blocks or metabolic resets.

3. 5-Amino-1MQ - The Fat-Cell Efficiency Peptide

What It Is

5-Amino-1MQ inhibits an enzyme called NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase) that slows fat metabolism.

How It Works

• Reduces NNMT activity, allowing fat cells to release stored energy more readily

• Increases NAD+ levels, improving mitochondrial performance

• Encourages fat cell shrinkage and energy balance without suppressing appetite

Why It’s Unique

5-Amino-1MQ works at the cellular level to enhance metabolic output. Unlike GLP-1s, it doesn’t alter hunger hormones - it improves how the body uses energy, not just how much it eats.

Typical use: Cyclical injections (or oral capsule) for 4–8 weeks with nutrition tracking and exercise pairing.

4. CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin - The Sleep and Recovery Stack

What It Is

A combination of two GH secretagogues that stimulate the body’s own growth hormone release in physiologic pulses.

How It Works

• Enhances deep sleep and nighttime GH pulses

• Improves fat metabolism and recovery from training

• Supports lean mass preservation during caloric restriction

Why It’s Unique

This pairing boosts natural GH rhythm without the side effects of exogenous GH. It’s less about scale weight and more about body recomposition - reducing visceral fat while supporting tissue repair and sleep quality.

Typical use: Nighttime SubQ injection, 3–6 month cycles with rest periods.

5. BPC-157 - The Recovery and Gut Health Peptide

What It Is

BPC-157 is a body-protective compound found naturally in gastric fluid. It’s known for accelerating tissue healing and calming inflammation.

How It Works

• Enhances angiogenesis (blood-vessel growth) and tissue repair

• Supports gut barrier integrity, reducing inflammation that contributes to weight resistance

• Promotes faster recovery from training injuries

Why It’s Unique

Although not a “fat-loss peptide” per se, BPC-157 helps remove inflammatory blocks that slow metabolism, energy, and recovery - key foundations of sustainable weight management.

Typical use: Short-term cycles or targeted injections for injury recovery or gut repair.

Why These Peptides Stand Out

Clinical Considerations and Best Practices

• Precision first: Always match the peptide to the goal - fat loss, recovery, or energy balance.

• Stacking wisely: Combine complementary pathways (e.g., MOTS-c + GLP-1, or AOD-9604 + 5-Amino-1MQ), not redundant ones.

• Lifestyle foundation: Nutrition, resistance training, and sleep remain non-negotiable. Peptides amplify what’s already working.

• Cycle intelligently: 8–12 week cycles followed by review of biomarkers (fasting insulin, body fat %, HRV).

• Medical supervision: Use only pharmacy-compounded peptides under clinician oversight. Avoid online “weight-loss blends” of unknown purity.

The Regen Therapy Perspective

Regen Therapy’s approach to metabolic peptides follows a simple philosophy: Precision replaces hype.

We reject generic “fat-burner stacks” in favor of defined goals, measurable endpoints, and structured monitoring. Peptides like AOD-9604, MOTS-c, and 5-Amino-1MQ are integrated only when:

• Foundational metabolic habits are in place

• Lab data supports their use

• They complement, not replace, nutrition and exercise interventions

The future of weight management lies in cellular health, mitochondrial function, and inflammation control, not one-size-fits-all prescriptions.

Key Takeaways

• Ozempic isn’t the only tool for metabolic health.

• AOD-9604, MOTS-c, 5-Amino-1MQ, CJC-1295/Ipamorelin, and BPC-157 each support weight management through different biologic pathways.

• These peptides improve fat oxidation, insulin sensitivity, recovery, and gut health - not just appetite.

• Real results come from precision programs with defined goals, cycles, and lab monitoring.

• Regen Therapy’s focus is healthspan and metabolic resilience, not short-term scale changes.

FAQs

Are these peptides approved for weight loss?
Most are research compounds used under medical supervision; only GLP-1s are FDA-approved for obesity.

Can they replace GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic?
No, but they can complement or serve as alternatives for people who can’t tolerate GLP-1s.

Do these peptides suppress appetite?
Not directly. Most improve fat metabolism, energy efficiency, or inflammation, making weight loss easier to sustain.

Are they safe?
When sourced from licensed pharmacies and monitored by providers, they are well tolerated.

Can they be used together?
Yes, but only with precision stacking to avoid overlap and ensure synergy.

References

1. Heffernan M, et al. AOD-9604 fragment enhances fat metabolism without GH side effects. Obes Res.

2. Reynolds JC, et al. MOTS-c improves exercise capacity and insulin sensitivity. Nat Commun.

3. Kraus WE, et al. 5-Amino-1MQ and NNMT inhibition in fat-cell metabolism. Cell Metab.

4. Veldhuis JD, et al. Growth hormone secretagogues and recovery metabolism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.

5. Sikiric P, et al. BPC-157 and systemic anti-inflammatory healing pathways. Pharmacol Res.