Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is hoping to loosen restrictions on 14 peptides the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned.
Peptides are chains of amino acids, which are the “building blocks” of proteins, according to WebMD. Studies have shown that peptides can benefit the skin, muscles and metabolism.
Scientists have been working on creating synthetic peptides in labs for years, but they gained widespread attention with the introduction of GLP-1, which is used for weight loss.
But not all peptides have been approved by the FDA.
While speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast last month, Kennedy said he wants to take 14 of the 19 peptides off the FDA’s ban list, but did not specify which ones.
The health secretary also acknowledged that robust scientific data to support the use of these peptides have not been conducted, but argued that some people have access to them anyway.
“My hope is that they’re going to get moved to a place where people have access from ethical suppliers,” Kennedy said on the podcast.
People can still purchase peptides restricted by the FDA from wellness and anti-aging clinics, but they are often marketed as research chemicals or dietary supplements and could be sold online by compounding pharmacies or overseas retailers, Kelly Johnson-Abor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health told SELF.
Peptide treatments have also been promoted by social media influences, who offer links to products that The Guardian described as being dubious quality.
The FDA warns of “signifiant safety risks,” including allergic reactions, can occur when taking peptide treatments not approved by the administration.
For instance, since these peptides are associated with tissue growth, people with early-stage cancer could accelerate its development, Adam Taylor, director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Centre at Lancaster University told The Guardian.
Other issues include acromegaly, an excess of growth hormone that leads to problematic enlargement of bones, cartilage and organs. The Guardian added that botching a DIY injection can cause muscle paralysis, scarring and sepsis.
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