Skip to content
The Peptide Effect
Condition Guide

Best Peptides for Fat Loss & Body Recomposition (2026 Guide)

A comprehensive guide to the best peptides for targeted fat loss and body recomposition. Covers GLP-1 agonists, growth hormone fragments, NNMT inhibitors, and GH secretagogues with evidence ratings and fat-specific protocols.

Scientific illustration representing fat loss and related peptide mechanisms
Conceptual illustration — not a clinical diagram

Overview

While weight loss peptides focus on total scale weight, fat loss peptides are selected and dosed specifically to reduce adipose tissue while preserving or building lean muscle mass — a process known as body recomposition. The distinction matters: GLP-1 agonists produce significant weight loss but 20–40% of that loss comes from lean mass, making them suboptimal as standalone recomposition tools. Peptides like tesamorelin and ipamorelin preferentially target visceral and subcutaneous fat through growth hormone pathways, while AOD-9604 and 5-Amino-1MQ act directly on fat cell metabolism without systemic hormonal effects. The most effective fat loss protocols often combine an appetite-suppressing GLP-1 peptide with a GH-pathway peptide to shift the ratio of fat loss to muscle loss.

Best Peptides for Fat Loss

Tirzepatidehigh efficacy

Mechanism: Dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces caloric intake through central appetite suppression while improving adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism

Key benefit: SURMOUNT-1 data showed ~33% of weight lost was lean mass — better fat-to-lean loss ratio than semaglutide, making it superior for body recomposition

Semaglutidehigh efficacy

Mechanism: GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite and food intake while shifting energy substrate utilization toward fatty acid oxidation in insulin-sensitized tissues

Key benefit: Most extensively studied for fat mass reduction with dual-energy X-ray data showing significant preferential visceral fat reduction

AOD-9604moderate efficacy

Mechanism: C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone that activates the beta-3 adrenergic receptor on adipocytes, stimulating lipolysis and inhibiting de novo lipogenesis without triggering IGF-1 release

Key benefit: Pure fat-targeting action without the muscle growth, blood sugar, or IGF-1 effects of full-length GH — allows fat loss without systemic hormonal disruption

5-Amino-1MQemerging efficacy

Mechanism: Selective NNMT inhibitor that blocks nicotinamide N-methyltransferase in white adipose tissue, reversing the metabolic reprogramming that makes fat cells resistant to lipolysis

Key benefit: Targets the newly discovered NNMT pathway that explains why some fat deposits are resistant to diet and exercise; oral bioavailability enables easy dosing

Tesamorelinmoderate efficacy

Mechanism: GHRH analogue that stimulates endogenous pulsatile GH release, activating GH-mediated lipolysis predominantly in visceral adipose depots while preserving lean mass

Key benefit: Only FDA-approved peptide specifically indicated for visceral fat reduction; clinical trials show 15–18% reduction in trunk fat with minimal lean mass change

Ipamorelinmoderate efficacy

Mechanism: Selective GHSP that triggers physiological GH pulses, enhancing lipolysis and fatty acid mobilization particularly during fasting and sleep states without cortisol or prolactin elevation

Key benefit: Clean GH elevation that enhances overnight fat burning; commonly stacked with CJC-1295 for sustained 24-hour lipolytic activity with minimal side effects

Quick Comparison

PeptideEfficacyKey BenefitProfile
TirzepatidehighSURMOUNT-1 data showed ~33% of weight lost was lean mass — better fat-to-lean loss ratio than semaglutide, making it superior for body recompositionView →
SemaglutidehighMost extensively studied for fat mass reduction with dual-energy X-ray data showing significant preferential visceral fat reductionView →
AOD-9604moderatePure fat-targeting action without the muscle growth, blood sugar, or IGF-1 effects of full-length GH — allows fat loss without systemic hormonal disruptionView →
5-Amino-1MQemergingTargets the newly discovered NNMT pathway that explains why some fat deposits are resistant to diet and exercise; oral bioavailability enables easy dosingView →
TesamorelinmoderateOnly FDA-approved peptide specifically indicated for visceral fat reduction; clinical trials show 15–18% reduction in trunk fat with minimal lean mass changeView →
IpamorelinmoderateClean GH elevation that enhances overnight fat burning; commonly stacked with CJC-1295 for sustained 24-hour lipolytic activity with minimal side effectsView →

References

  1. Tesamorelin effects on trunk fat and visceral adipose tissue in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation (2010) — PubMed
  2. Body composition changes with tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT clinical trial program (2023) — PubMed
  3. AOD9604: a novel lipolytic peptide with potential anti-obesity effects derived from the C-terminal portion of growth hormone (2001) — PubMed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between weight loss peptides and fat loss peptides?
Weight loss peptides (like semaglutide alone) reduce total body weight, which includes both fat and lean muscle tissue — typically 60–80% fat and 20–40% lean mass. Fat loss protocols use peptides specifically to maximize the fat-to-lean loss ratio, often combining a GLP-1 agonist with a GH-pathway peptide (like tesamorelin or ipamorelin) plus resistance training to preserve muscle. The goal is body recomposition: losing fat while maintaining or building lean tissue.
Which peptide is best for stubborn belly fat?
Tesamorelin has the strongest clinical evidence for visceral (belly) fat reduction specifically, with FDA approval for this indication. Tirzepatide also shows excellent visceral fat reduction in clinical imaging studies. For subcutaneous belly fat that resists diet, AOD-9604 injected locally and 5-Amino-1MQ (oral) target fat cell metabolism directly. A comprehensive protocol for stubborn belly fat combines tesamorelin or ipamorelin/CJC-1295 (systemic GH-driven lipolysis) with AOD-9604 (local injection) and consistent caloric deficit.
Can you build muscle and lose fat at the same time with peptides?
Yes — this is body recomposition, and peptides are one of the most effective pharmacological tools for achieving it. The optimal stack combines a GLP-1 agonist at a moderate dose (for appetite control and fat loss) with ipamorelin/CJC-1295 (for GH-driven fat burning and anabolic signaling) and a structured resistance training program. MK-677 is sometimes added for its IGF-1 elevation and improved sleep/recovery. Clinical data on tesamorelin confirms this is achievable: visceral fat decreases while lean mass is preserved.
How do fat loss peptides affect metabolism?
Different fat loss peptides affect metabolism through distinct pathways. GLP-1 agonists reduce caloric intake centrally while improving insulin sensitivity. GH-pathway peptides (tesamorelin, ipamorelin) increase basal metabolic rate by 5–15% and shift substrate utilization toward fatty acid oxidation. AOD-9604 directly stimulates lipolysis in adipocytes. 5-Amino-1MQ reverses metabolic dysfunction in white adipose tissue. Unlike stimulants (caffeine, ephedrine), these peptides work through hormonal and enzymatic pathways without cardiovascular stress.
How long does it take to see fat loss results from peptides?
GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, tirzepatide) produce measurable fat loss within 4–8 weeks once titrated to therapeutic doses. GH-pathway peptides (tesamorelin, ipamorelin) show body composition changes at 8–12 weeks as evidenced by DEXA scans. AOD-9604 users report visible changes at 6–10 weeks. 5-Amino-1MQ effects are still being characterized in clinical trials. For optimal results, combine peptide therapy with a moderate caloric deficit (300–500 kcal/day) and resistance training at least 3 times per week.

Explore next

Guides
Related use cases