Peptide products…fake promises of muscles, weight loss, and eternal youth

Emirates Today has observed an increasing spread of the promotion of products and compounds under the name “Peptide”, through electronic stores and sales platforms within the country, with them marketed as quick solutions for building muscle, losing weight and combating aging, accelerating recovery from injuries, improving skin and hair health and enhancing physical performance.

The promoted products included compounds such as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, CJC-1295/Ipamorelin, and MOTS-C, in addition to Retatrutide, which is still a research drug, while the prices of these products ranged between 440 dirhams and reached about 4,999 dirhams, with some of them offered with installment payment options.

Doctors confirmed to Emirates Al-Youm that the majority of peptide products in circulation are still in the stages of laboratory studies or animal experiments, while only a limited number of them have moved to clinical studies on humans, warning against expanding the circulation of these products and relying on them based on commercial advertising or the recommendations of “influencers.”

They explained that their use may be associated with potential health complications, including heart problems, increased insulin resistance, and disturbances in lipid levels, as well as possible psychological effects, calling on the concerned authorities to tighten control over the circulation of these products and prevent their marketing to protect the health of community members.

For its part, the Emirates Drug Corporation said that not every product marketed as a “peptide” product is suitable or safe for use, stressing the need to ensure that the product is registered and authorized for circulation by the competent health authority, consult a doctor before using it, and not buy these products from unlicensed accounts or stores, pointing out that many of them are still undergoing medical studies, or are intended for research purposes only.

In detail, Dr. Omar Al Hammadi, a consultant in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine, warned of the increasing spread and intense promotion of “peptide” products through stores and social media platforms, marketing them as magical solutions for building muscles, combating aging and improving health, even though most of these claims are not based on sufficient scientific evidence.

He explained that “peptides” are originally chains of amino acids, or what can be described as “mini-proteins,” and they are found naturally in the human body and in food. They have been used medically for more than 100 years, starting with the production of insulin, then in the development of modern drugs such as weight-loss drugs of the GLP-1 class, in addition to their use in treatments for osteoporosis, digestive system diseases, and some types of cancer and skin diseases.

He added that these compounds have a promising future in developing revolutionary treatments for several diseases, including cancer, infections, hormonal disorders, and mental health. However, this does not mean that the claims circulating about all of their products offered for sale are true, pointing out that the majority of the “peptide” products being promoted are still in the stages of laboratory or animal experiments, while only a limited number of them have moved on to clinical studies on humans.

He stressed that some products circulated online may be poor quality, contaminated, or do not contain the advertised ingredients, warning that their use – especially among bodybuilders – may be associated with potential health complications, including heart problems, increased insulin resistance, high fat levels, and may have psychological effects. Al-Hammadi called for not being led by marketing campaigns, and to consult a doctor before using any “peptide” product, and to read its ingredients carefully.

In turn, Public Health Consultant, Dr. Badriya Al Harami, confirmed that the Emirates Drug Foundation’s warning regarding “peptide” products comes at an important time, especially with the widespread promotion of them through social media, and their marketing as quick solutions to lose weight, increase muscle mass, or combat aging without sufficient clarification of their risks or limits of use.

She explained that many of the circulating “peptide” products are still in the stages of research or clinical trials, and have not obtained the necessary regulatory approvals for medical use, pointing out that the real problem lies in some people relying on the recommendations of influencers or commercial advertisements, instead of consulting a doctor or referring to reliable health sources, which may push them to use products of unknown or unlicensed origin, and expose them to potentially dangerous health complications.

She warned against being led by marketing promises or the recommendations of “influencers,” pointing to the necessity of committing to using approved treatments, under medical supervision, stressing that “health cannot tolerate experimentation, and the safety of the drug is no less important than its effectiveness.” It called for tightening control over “peptide” products circulated through various websites and sales platforms, and preventing the marketing or sale of unlicensed products.

Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition consultant, Dr. Nafi Al-Yasi, warned against trading in unlicensed products. He stressed that some peptide products, such as BPC-157, are being promoted as accelerating the healing of injuries and improving physical performance, but current scientific evidence is still insufficient to prove their effectiveness or safety in humans, pointing out the lack of high-quality human clinical studies that support their use in medical practice.

He added, “These products have not been approved by major pharmaceutical bodies as approved treatments, so what is sold in the market or online is not considered a licensed medicine. Rather, its quality and composition may differ from one product to another, which raises concerns about its safety and the source of its manufacture.” He stated that “treatment must be based on solid scientific evidence proving effectiveness and safety, and not on individual experiences or content circulating on the Internet,” pointing out that “the side effects and long-term risks of using BPC-157 and other peptide products are still not sufficiently known.” Al Yasi warned against purchasing these products from unreliable sources or obtaining them from sports trainers or gyms.

He confirmed the recording of international reports of cases of poisoning and liver injuries associated with the use of some unlicensed peptide products, likely resulting from impurities or unapproved components in some preparations, and not necessarily due to the substance itself, which reinforces the importance of strict control over manufacturing sources, and preventing the circulation of products of unknown origin, in order to preserve the health and safety of society.

For its part, the Emirates Drug Corporation stated that not every product marketed as a “peptide” product is considered suitable or safe for use, calling on community members to verify that any product of this type is registered and authorized for circulation by the competent health authority, before using it and to consult a doctor.

The Foundation explained in a post on its accounts on social media platforms that “peptides” are compounds used in some medical fields, but many of the products currently in circulation are still undergoing medical studies and research, while some of them are classified as intended for research purposes only, and not for medical use.

The Foundation stressed the importance of consulting a doctor before using any “peptide” products, and not relying on information circulated through social media or marketing advertisements, stressing the need to avoid purchasing these products from unlicensed accounts or online stores.

The Foundation indicated that the correct decision begins with reliable information, and that maintaining health requires the use of reliable, registered and authorized products, in a way that ensures consumer safety and protects them from potential risks associated with unapproved products.

«Emirates Pharmaceuticals»:

• Not everything marketed as “peptide” is suitable for use, and it must be ensured that it is registered and authorized to be traded in the country.

• The use of some products circulated online may be associated with health complications.