What are peptides? The center of the FDA’s latest debate

On Thursday, the FDA kicked off a two-day meeting to assess the safety and efficacy of lab-made peptides, which some supporters claim can build muscle, treat injuries and look younger. Many health experts are skeptical.

Read the full article on KETV 7

On Thursday, the FDA kicked off a two-day meeting to assess the safety and efficacy of lab-made peptides, which some supporters claim can build muscle, treat injuries and look younger. Many health experts are skeptical.

WASHINGTON —

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kicked off a two-day meeting to review the safety and efficacy of synthetic peptides.

Scientifically speaking, peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

Peptides are naturally found in the human body. But for decades, synthetic peptides have been used in drugs to treat a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, with medications like insulin and GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic.

Now, the FDA is focusing on more than half a dozen peptides that are not FDA-approved, meaning pharmacies cannot legally mix or sell them as customized medicines in the U.S., outside of those already available through traditional drugmakers.

Supporters of peptide drugs, including several social media influencers, some health professionals, and even Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., want the government to ease restrictions to make them more accessible and to discourage people from purchasing them elsewhere online.

Many medical experts, including career FDA scientists, say there isn’t enough data and research to prove the peptides are safe and effective, warning of possible quality control problems, contamination risks, and the potential for dangerous allergic reactions.

Some health experts have also cautioned that peptide supplements could act “uncontrollably” inside the body, potentially interacting with tissues beyond their intended targets. In theory, doctors say that could activate dormant cancer cells.

In the first of several votes, the panel of Food and Drug Administration experts on Thursday narrowly voted 8-6 in favor of broadening access to a chemical called BPC-157, one of the most popular peptides among longevity and wellness influencers. One panel member abstained from voting.

The FDA advisory panel is expected to continue voting Friday on whether other specific peptides are safe to mix, produce, and sell in the U.S.

Watch the latest on the FDA’s review of peptides:

The AP contributed to this report.