Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c · Metabolic Peptide
Mitochondrial peptide — insulin sensitivity and exercise mimetic.
FDA
Research Only
WADA
Not Listed
HALF-LIFE
Unknown
ROUTE
SubQ injection
SCHEDULE
3× weekly
In Plain English
Mitochondrial peptide — insulin sensitivity and exercise mimetic.
Status & Legality
NATTY?
No Test ExistsNo established test exists for this compound.
FDA
Research OnlyFor research purposes only. Not FDA approved.
WADA
Not ListedNot currently on WADA prohibited list.
COMPOUNDING
Not from pharmaciesNot available from licensed compounding pharmacies.
PRESCRIBED
Not prescribedNot prescribed in conventional medicine.
ROUTE
SubQ injectionAdministration via subq injection.
Insulin sensitivity
Fat metabolism
Exercise performance
Aging
MOTS-c is a 16-amino acid mitochondrial-derived peptide that acts as a metabolic regulator and exercise mimetic. It activates AMPK, improves glucose uptake, reduces fat accumulation, and has shown anti-aging effects in mice (increased lifespan by ~18%). Blood levels decline with age and rise acutely with exercise.
Mild injection site reactions
Generally well tolerated
Potential hypoglycemia with high doses
Not timing it pre-workout — metabolic and insulin-sensitizing benefits are amplified by exercise when MOTS-c is present
Expecting fat loss results without reasonable diet — it's an exercise mimetic and insulin sensitizer, not a fat loss drug
Dosing daily when 3× weekly produces similar outcomes with lower cost and injection burden
Metformin — potential additive AMPK pathway activation; monitor glucose closely with combination
Insulin — metabolic effects on glucose handling; monitor during combined use
Semaglutide — generally synergistic for metabolic improvement; complementary mechanisms
MOTS-c is the most compelling exercise-mimetic compound available. The AMPK activation and insulin sensitization effects are measurable, and pre-workout timing amplifies them. Stack with Humanin HNG for the complete mitochondrial-derived peptide anti-aging protocol.
Stats
Sources & Studies
Lee C. et al., Cell Metab, 2015