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Sermorelin is a synthetic peptide that mimics the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). As such, the peptide stimulates the natural production of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland.
Due to its GH-stimulating effects, the peptide has been approved for the diagnosis of GH deficiency (GHD) as well as for the treatment of short stature in children.
Furthermore, sermorelin may hold a variety of potential effects on metabolism, body composition, and weight loss.
Nevertheless, modern weight loss therapies may have limited effects on certain individuals, especially those with low GH levels but preserved capacity of the pituitary gland.
Therefore, sermorelin may be worth exploring regarding its potential weight loss benefits in certain groups of patients.
Keep reading to explore the latest research on how it works, its effects on the body, and its potential impact on weight loss.
How does Sermorelin work
Sermorelin acts on the pituitary gland, promoting the production of HGH in the body. As a result, sermorelin therapy may lead to higher and more frequent peaks of growth hormone, potentially resulting in GH-related benefits such as increased lean mass and abdominal fat loss.
Studies report that Sermorelin therapy can lead to an increase in growth hormone levels within 10 minutes of administration, with peak concentrations continuing for 1-2 hours. However, the increase in GH levels does not lead to immediate benefits.
The results may take several months to become noticeable, and their efficacy depends on factors such as dosing frequency, the capacity of the pituitary gland, and gender.
In the long term, sermorelin’s influence on GH levels may impact metabolism, potentially contributing to changes in body composition.
As mentioned, GH is known for its specific metabolic actions, including increased catabolic effects toward body fat, as well as anabolic and mitogenic effects in most other tissues. Indeed, sermorelin has been reported to stimulate an increase in lean mass, likely related to its effects on GH production.
Unfortunately, more research is needed to better evaluate the potential of the peptide in adults. Nevertheless, studies in short-stature children report that Sermorelin may have comparable benefits to injectable hGH in terms of inducing growth.
Considering the fact that HGH therapy has numerous benefits for adults, this may indicate that Sermorelin is also worth its effects.
It’s also important to note that, unlike injectable HGH, the GH-stimulating effect of sermorelin is limited by the capacity of the pituitary gland, and it cannot lead to supraphysiologic GH levels.
Sermorelin have a much lower risk of undesired side effects compared to injectable HGH
Sermorelin
Increase serum GH and IGF-1 levels
Improve body composition
Stimulate collagen synthesis
How effective is Sermorelin for weight loss?
Currently, sermorelin is not approved by the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) as a fat-loss medication or any other form of treatment in adults. That is primarily because the peptide is primarily studied in children rather than adult individuals.
As a result, the specific effectiveness of Sermorelin for weight loss remains unknown.
Instead, it is FDA-approved for the diagnosis of GHD and treatment of short stature in children. More specifically, it has been approved only as a diagnostic tool for GHD when used alongside the amino acid arginine.
How effective is Sermorelin compared to other peptides for weight loss?
Due to the lack of trials, it is unknown how sermorelin may compare against FDA-approved weight loss peptides such as the incretin mimetics Semaglutide and Liraglutide.
These peptides work by mimicking the function of the incretin hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1). GLP-1 is naturally produced by the gut after a meal to stimulate a higher insulin release.
Similar to its function, semaglutide and liraglutide can stimulate insulin release, suppress hunger and curb cravings.
Therefore, they act as appetite suppressants to induce weight loss, ranging from -11 lbs to -26 lbs (-5 kg to -12 kg) compared to baseline in trials lasting 24-68 months.
In comparison, Sermorelin does not act as an appetite suppressant. Instead, it increases GH levels, which exerts catabolic effects on fat tissue by stimulating lipolysis.
GH has a stimulating effect on an enzyme known as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), which plays a crucial role in facilitating the mobilization of fat from adipose tissues within the body.
Moreover, GH also prevents the re-entry of fatty acids into adipose cells by blocking the activity of another enzyme called lipoprotein lipase (LPL).
The LPL enzyme aids in the uptake of fatty acids by both muscle and fat cells. However, studies indicate that HGH selectively inhibits the functioning of LPL in fat tissues while leaving its expression unaffected in muscle tissues.
Consequently, fatty acids become accessible for energy utilization by muscle, but they are unable to be restored in fat cells. GH also exhibits specific effects on fat accumulation in different regions of the body, prominently reducing fat around the abdomen and internal organs (aka visceral fat).
Even though Sermorelin is not approved for weight loss, it can be prescribed off-label by qualified professionals. Thus, to explore the potential benefits of Sermorelin for weight loss and determine an appropriate treatment plan, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional in a licensed clinic or pharmacy.
Suppose you want to explore customized treatment plans for safe and effective weight loss. In that case, we encourage you to visit our clinic, where our medical professionals can provide guidance and support.
How to take Sermorelin injections for weight loss
The daily dosage of sermorelin for weight loss is about 0.01 mg/kg of body weight to 0.025 mg/kg of body weight. This is equal to 0.8 – 2 mg/daily injected subcutaneously for a 175 lbs (79 kg) person.
However, in cases where pituitary gland responsiveness is reduced, the dosage may be adjusted, and twice-daily administration may be necessary.
Furthermore, the aforementioned trials fail to report significant body weight reduction. Therefore, even higher doses may be considered.
Taking Sermorelin for a longer period of time is recommended in order to experience noticeable effects, like an increase in lean muscle mass after four months of therapy.
The trials also report that the best time to take Sermorelin may be in the evening, right before bed, and at least 2 hours after your last meal. That is to prevent the potential suppressing effects of insulin on the natural GH synthesis.
Alcohol consumption should also be avoided, as it blocks the process of beta-oxidation of fatty acids, which is the final step of burning the fat mobilized by GH for energy.
Administration of sermorelin before sleep also helps mimic the natural pulsatile secretion of growth hormone during sleep.
How fast does Sermorelin work?
As noted, trials shorter than 4 months do not report significant weight loss, albeit showing some favorable changes in body composition after single-daily administration at 0.01mg/kg.
Therefore patients may have to take Sermorelin for longer periods of time or employ other strategies such as higher dosing/twice daily administration to speed up the weight loss results.
Due to the lack of long-term trials in adults, it is currently unknown how many pounds patients can lose with Sermorelin. Nevertheless, consistency and adherence to the prescribed treatment plan are crucial for achieving optimal outcomes.
To improve weight loss outcomes while using Sermorelin, it is recommended to adopt a balanced and healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a low-calorie but nutritious diet.
These factors can complement the effects of Sermorelin and promote overall well-being.
Can Sermorelin cause weight gain?
Although sermorelin may induce a favorable shift in body composition and slightly increase lean body mass in some individuals, the peptide has not been reported to cause weight gain in adults.
The increase in lean body mass during therapy may be due to an increase in water retention, which is commonly observed with higher serum GH levels.
In addition, the increase in GH during sermorelin therapy is also associated with an increase in the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This is the main mediator of GH’s anabolic effects, and it may induce an increase in lean muscle mass.
Sermorelin is also not known to affect hunger levels or appetite. Therefore, it’s unlikely to experience increased hunger or cravings during therapy.
However, combining sermorelin with unregulated substances that mimic the function of the ghrelin hormone may result in increased appetite. Ghrelin mimetics also induce increased GH secretion and are commonly known as growth-hormone secretagogues (GHSs).
However, there are no FDA-approved GHSs for human use, and a common side effect of these is increased appetite as well as weight gain. That is due to their affinity towards the receptors of the hunger hormone – ghrelin.
GHSs, such as Ipamorelin, GHRP-2, and GHRP-6, are often sold by online vendors alongside sermorelin or as blends under the guise of research peptides for in vitro experiments. Such peptides and blends are actually purchased by individuals trying to lose weight or improve their body composition.
Purchasing such substances or blends is strictly forbidden and illegal for human use. These compounds are not subject to regulation by the official authorities, and apart from inducing weight gain, they may also be counterfeit, contaminated, expired, or tampered with in any other way, which can pose a serious risk to your health.