MOTS-c

What it does

A peptide coded by mitochondrial DNA rather than the cell nucleus. It behaves like an exercise signal, telling muscle to burn glucose and fat more efficiently. What people look into it for: • Better insulin sensitivity and blood-sugar control • More endurance and exercise capacity — sometimes called an "exercise mimetic" • Fat loss and metabolic flexibility • Healthy-ageing protocols, since natural levels fall with age Most findings so far come from animal studies and small human observations.

Mechanism

Activates AMPK and folate-methionine cycle signalling, improving glucose utilisation.

Storage — lyophilised

Refrigerate 2-8C, protect from light.

Storage — reconstituted

Refrigerate 2-8C, use within ~28 days.

Reconstitution notes

Add 2 ml bacteriostatic water to a 10 mg vial for 50 mcg per unit.

Commonly stacked with

• NAD+
• 5-Amino-1MQ

Commonly reported side effects

• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Injection-site irritation

Contraindications noted

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Research notes

Human data very limited; mostly mouse metabolic studies.