3 Unique Benefits of Tesamorelin You Should Know About

Tesamorelin is a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide used medically to treat HIV-associated fat accumulation. It stimulates your pituitary gland to secrete more growth hormone (GH) naturally. Besides its approved use, emerging research suggests tesamorelin has other unique benefits worth exploring.

What Is Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin is a 44 amino acid peptide biomimetic of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It contains the growth hormone sequence with a fatty acid molecule attached that enables absorption. 

Tesamorelin directly stimulates GH production by binding to receptors on somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary. This was designed to provide a natural pulsatile release of GH to replicate normal physiology.

The drug was approved by the FDA in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta for reducing excess abdominal fat in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy. It requires daily injection but has an excellent safety profile.

Unique Benefit 1: Targets Visceral Fat 

One of the most unique aspects of tesamorelin is its ability to specifically reduce accumulated visceral fat in the abdomen. 

Unlike subcutaneous fat under the skin, visceral fat surrounds internal organs and contributes to metabolic dysfunction. Tesamorelin preferentially mobilizes visceral fat over other depots.

In studies, 6 months of tesamorelin decreased visceral fat 20% on average in HIV patients with lipohypertrophy from antiviral drugs. This effect results from tesamorelin’s influence on GH, which signals abdominal fat cells to break down stored triglycerides and fatty acids for energy metabolism.

The targeted visceral fat loss provides metabolic benefits like improved insulin sensitivity and lower inflammatory cytokines. Tesamorelin allows directing fat loss away from lean mass compared to diet and exercise alone.

Unique Benefit 2: Increases IGF-1 with Less Potential for Abuse

By stimulating natural GH release, tesamorelin also raises levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) produced mainly in the liver. IGF-1 is the primary mediator of GH’s anabolic effects.

However, unlike injectable GH which causes a rapid spike of IGF-1, tesamorelin elevates IGF-1 gradually over days and weeks. This reduces side effects and potential for abuse compared to taking exogenous GH.

The sustained IGF-1 stimulation promotes muscle protein synthesis and bone mineralization. But tesamorelin is not deemed viable for abuse by athletes or bodybuilders due to its slower, smaller effects on growth pathways.

Unique Benefit 3: Improves Cholesterol Levels

Some research shows tesamorelin can improve cholesterol profiles, at least indirectly through enhanced GH activity. 

In clinical studies, patients taking tesamorelin had decreased total cholesterol and LDL on average after several months. One study found a 9% drop in LDL cholesterol.

These cholesterol-lowering effects result from tesamorelin increasing hepatic LDL receptors. This allows greater clearance of LDL particles from circulation. The peptide also appears to lower triglycerides which may improve cardiovascular health.

Other Potential Benefits

Some other promising but preliminary areas of research around tesamorelin include:

• Accelerated wound healing and recovery from burns/trauma
• Combating frailty, muscle loss, and bone loss as we age
• Improving cognitive function and mood 
• Anti-aging skin effects like elasticity and wrinkle reduction
• Treating growth hormone deficiencies

The unique specificity of tesamorelin makes it an intriguing therapeutic peptide warranting further study. Maximizing the natural pulse release of GH provides an efficient approach to realize benefits with minimal side effects. You can buy tesamorelin online as well but you need to make sure they are of high quality. 

Conclusion

Tesamorelin is best known for its ability to selectively reduce harmful abdominal visceral fat, which sets it apart from other GHRH peptides. It also boosts IGF-1 levels gradually for anabolic effects on muscle and bone while avoiding potential for abuse. Tesamorelin further improves cholesterol levels thanks to its effects on GH activity. These specialized characteristics make tesamorelin a unique peptide with applications that are still being uncovered.