Q&A: With peptide supplements, marketing outpaces the medicine

Peptides are short protein fragments with specialized functions in the body. While well-known peptides like insulin and GLP-1 have FDA approval, hundreds of unapproved peptides are being promoted through social media. These supplements, often self-injectable, claim to build muscle, speed up injury healing, and even slow aging. However, according to Dr. Thomas Kremen, a sports medicine specialist, the evidence supporting their effectiveness is lacking.

Kremen, who serves as a team physician for several major sports teams, led a review of 565 studies on six emerging peptides, finding that more than two-thirds were conducted in animals and only offered variable effects on healing tissues. Human studies showed modest improvements at best for nonorthopedic uses, with few demonstrating significant clinical benefits for musculoskeletal conditions.

Many of these studies were poorly designed, lacking proper controls or rigorous study designs. A concerning issue is conflicts of interest in the research, as seen in one of the major BPC-157 studies where the researchers had a financial stake in the compound. Kremen also pointed out that these supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may contain dangerous substances or be mislabeled.

Some products are even produced in China and mixed with unknown substances at compounding pharmacies. The marketing push on social media has captured public attention, with many individuals turning to these supplements in hopes of faster recovery, improved longevity, or enhanced performance. Clinicians warn that the marketing is ahead of the science, and patients should be cautious and wait for more rigorous studies before considering these supplements.