MOTS-c

What people use it for

• Metabolic health and insulin sensitivity (research)
• Exercise performance (popular use)

What MOTS-c does in the body

Encoded in mitochondrial DNA. In animal studies it activates AMPK, a cellular energy sensor, improving glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity and acting somewhat like an "exercise mimetic".

Strength of evidence

Weak in humans: promising animal data, minimal human trials.

Look up the evidence

• Reviews on PubMed: Summaries of the published research
• Clinical trials on PubMed: Published studies in people
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Registered trials, past and ongoing

Live searches of official databases. New to the terms? See the glossary.

Reported side effects & risks

• Injection-site reactions
• Long-term effects unknown

Who should avoid it or take extra care

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Under 18
• Taking diabetes medicines (possible extra blood-sugar lowering; theoretical)

Not a complete list. Check with a doctor or pharmacist about your own health and medicines.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Prohibited in sport by WADA.

How it's taken

Route: Injection under the skin (popular use)

How long it lasts (half-life): Not established in humans

Storage

Unreconstituted (powder) vials are usually kept refrigerated or frozen and away from light. Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, keep refrigerated and do not freeze; follow the supplier's stated beyond-use date.

Mixing guides

How much water to add and what each syringe mark holds, worked out for your own dose:

• 5 mg vial
• 10 mg vial