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GDF15

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Also called: GDF-15, R-Ketorolac and GDF-15 Inhibitors, GLP-1/GDF15 Fusion Protein

By The Health Stacks Research TeamUpdated September 15, 2026

GDF15 is a special protein made by your body that belongs to a larger family of signals controlling growth. It is usually found at low levels but increases when organs like the liver or kidneys are stressed or injured. Scientists are very interested in this protein because it acts like a hormone that travels to the brain to tell the body to stop eating. It is mostly studied by researchers looking for new ways to treat weight problems and diseases like diabetes.

The main job of GDF15 is to help manage body weight and energy. When levels of this protein go up, it signals the brainstem to reduce appetite, which leads to eating less food. This happens because the protein connects with a specific receiver in the brain called GFRAL. Studies show that raising GDF15 levels can help fight obesity and improve how the body handles sugar and fat, making it a strong target for new medicines.

While the results from animal studies are very promising, scientists are still figuring out the best ways to use this protein in humans. Some drugs, like metformin for diabetes and artesunate for malaria, naturally boost GDF15 levels to help with metabolism. However, researchers need to learn more about the long-term safety and side effects, such as nausea, before these treatments can be widely used for weight loss in people.

Research-stageEarly-stage — evidence so far is mostly cell, animal, or preliminary human studies. Not an approved medicine. Verified confidence80–100 — backed by strong, well-corroborated sources (peer-reviewed research, clinical guidelines). Our highest confidence tier.

Benefits

What GDF15 Helps With

The benefits people report — backed by research.

Weight management (8)

Weight management 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Energy metabolism 90/100Rated 90/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Reduction in adiposity 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Appetite regulation 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Therapeutic agent for obesity 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →GDF15 analogs proposed as obesity therapeutics 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →GDF15 regulates appetite and has BMI lowering effects 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Treatment of obesity 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Glycemic & metabolic (8)

Insulin sensitivity 90/100Rated 90/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Metabolic alteration 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Inhibits gluconeogenesis 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Metformin elevates circulating GDF15 levels in mice and humans 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Metformin increases circulating levels of GDF15 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Metformin prevents type 2 diabetes in people at high risk 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Treatment of metabolic disorders 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Treatment of hyperglycaemia / diabetes 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Cardiovascular & vascular (4)

Plasma GDF-15 concentration predicts early recurrence after atrial arrhythmia ablation 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Plasma GDF15 concentration predicts early recurrence after atrial arrhythmia ablation 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Protects heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Angiogenesis 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Cancer / tumor (3)

Treatment of anorexia/cachexia syndromes 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Potential therapeutic target for improving outcomes in metabolic disorders and cancer 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Targeting MIC-1/GDF15 for therapy of anorexia/cachexia syndromes 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Immune modulation (2)

Small noncoding RNA TY2 enhances efferocytosis and improves outcomes in a mouse model of sepsis 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Regulation of macrophage function 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Anti-fibrotic (2)

Inhibits fibrosis 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Reduces phosphorylated SMAD3 levels 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

Neuroprotection & cognitive (2)

Neuroprotective role of GDF15 in neurodegeneration 80/100Rated 80/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Brain / cognitive 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

More reported benefits (3)

Treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnancy 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Enhancing IgG fragment crystallisable sialylation improves the therapeutic activity of IL23 cytokine blockade 95/100Rated 95/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Muscle recovery 72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →

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Safety

Known Side Effects

Adverse effects reported in the research and by community use.

  • Nausea and vomitingModerateReported in 2 sources 90/100Rated 90/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources2Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ doi.org↗ ebiotrade.com
  • Anorexia-cachexiaSevere 90/100Rated 90/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ doi.org
  • Aversive visceral malaiseModerate 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ doi.org
  • Anorexia-cachexia syndromeLifeThreatening 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Weight lossModerate 85/100Rated 85/100Source typePeer-reviewed studyIndependent sources1Every claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →↗ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reported in research and community sources — not exhaustive. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional if side effects occur.

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Compare research-grade suppliers with third-party COAs and published purity data. For in-vitro and laboratory research use only — not for human consumption, diagnosis, or treatment.

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News

Latest on GDF15

Dated, sourced reporting that mentions GDF15.

ResearchJul 31, 2026

Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum | Nature Reviews Disease Primers

A review in Nature Reviews Disease Primers examines the biological underpinnings and clinical management of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). It highlights recent genetic advances implicating the hormone GDF15 and the protein IGFBP7 as key drivers of the condition, acting through receptors in the brainstem. These findings suggest a placental origin for the disease and offer potential targets for future therapeutic development.

72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Read →
ResearchMar 21, 2018

Placenta and appetite genes GDF15 and IGFBP7 are associated with hyperemesis gravidarum | Nature Communications

A genome-wide association study published in Nature Communications has identified a genetic link between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), a severe form of pregnancy sickness, and two specific genes: GDF15 and IGFBP7. The research found that variants at chr19p13.11 and chr4q12 loci are associated with the condition, implicating these genes which are known to influence placentation, appetite regulation, and cachexia. While further study is needed to prove causality, these findings suggest that hormonal signaling involving these peptides may drive the severe nausea and vomiting experienced in HG.

72/100Rated 72/100Source typeEstablished referenceIndependent sourcesstill being verifiedEvery claim links to the page it came from, and stronger sources rate higher. Full methodology →Read →

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