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
What do these mean?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.
HUMANIN
Mitochondria-derived peptide — neuroprotection and metabolic regulation.
SEMAGLUTIDE
FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist — weight loss and blood sugar control.
EPITHALON
Telomere extension peptide — the longevity compound.
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Stats
Sources & Studies
Lee C. et al., Cell Metab, 2015