Fitness expert Jillian Michaels cautions Americans about the risks associated with purchasing unregulated weight-loss peptides online. Speaking on “Fox News Rundown,” Michaels emphasizes the dangers of foreign-sourced chemical compounds, which can cause health issues such as heart problems, vision loss, and hormonal imbalances.
Michaels advises individuals not to self-dose these peptides, often obtained through web-based platforms like Reddit without proper research or medical consultation. She highlights the importance of discussing these drugs with healthcare professionals before considering their use.
“These are very significant things that need to be further researched and discussed with your doctor before you decide, ‘Hey, this sounds like a miracle drug! And I’m buying it on the web, and I am dosing myself in the bathroom off of a Reddit forum,'” Michaels told Fox News’ Alex Hogan.
In response to the growing concern about these compounds, the FDA announced in March that it had issued warning letters to telehealth companies for spreading false claims about GLP-1 products. The agency stresses the importance of adhering to the FDA’s approval process for the safe use of compounded drugs.
The FDA further issued a warning in June about unapproved GLP-1 drugs, highlighting hundreds of adverse event reports linked to their use. Vendors have been criticized for mislabeling these chemicals as “for research purposes only.”
Jillian Michaels points to a trend in illegal peptide sales driven by individuals seeking rapid weight loss, inspired by extreme body transformations seen in pop culture. She notes that many purchasers aim to quickly drop “vanity pounds,” often resulting in notable physical changes among celebrities.
“You’ve got women in particular, but men as well, in all the major cities that want to go from a size eight to a size two for their summer vacation, and they are getting these things on the gray market. And we’re starting to see the results of that in famous celebrities,” Michaels said.
Michaels underscores the serious consequences of such practices, citing examples of celebrities displaying signs of aging and unhealthy weight loss, such as hair loss.
Although FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs can be used under medical supervision for severe obesity or chronic health issues, Michaels warns against using unapproved versions for minor weight loss due to significant risks, such as vision loss and suicidal ideation.
For those experiencing suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be contacted at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Michaels highlights the rebound effects after ceasing the use of unregulated weight-loss compounds. She explains that users might face increased hunger due to the body’s altered hormone production, leading to a cycle of yo-yo dieting.
“You might think, ‘Oh, I’m doing this for my summer vacation.’ But then when you get off of them, all of a sudden you’re hungrier because you’ve impacted your body’s ability to make these hormones naturally,” Michaels said.
These practices can seriously disrupt personal biochemistry, making them unsuitable for vanity purposes, according to Michaels. She urges caution in the use of these compounds.
Madison Colombo reports for Fox News Digital’s Flash, Media, and Culture team, focusing on breaking news and trending topics, supported by her background in both broadcast and digital journalism.
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