Weight loss · Aging & longevity · Muscle & recovery
MOTS-c, simplified.
Also called Mitochondrial peptide
Early researchA peptide made by your mitochondria, the power plants in your cells, that acts a bit like exercise in a molecule.
- Size
- 16 amino acids
- How it is taken
- Injection
- Status
- Research compound, under FDA review
- Available sizes
- Vials: 10 mg
What is it?
Most of your DNA sits in the cell’s nucleus, but mitochondria have their own. MOTS-c is coded there and helps cells handle sugar and energy.
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What studies show
- In animalsIn mice, it improved insulin sensitivity, prevented diet-related weight gain and boosted exercise capacity.
- In peoplePeople’s natural levels rise with exercise and fall with age. Direct trials in people are very early.
What we don’t know yet
- Whether taking it does anything in people.
Side effects and cautions
- Very little human safety data.
Is it legal?
Not FDA-approved. Reviewed by an FDA advisory committee in July 2026 for obesity and osteoporosis.
Dosage & schedule evidence
How to read published schedules
Third-party protocols are not established clinical dosing standards. Safe human dose, frequency, and duration may be unknown. Research findings may not translate to safe or effective personal use.
| Measurement | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 mg | 1,000 mcg (mass) |
| 100 U-100 units | 1 mL (volume, not dose) |
See third-party published protocols ↗ for research context. North Star does not validate these schedules.
Consult your doctor before considering any peptide for personal use. Educational only, not administration guidance.
Common questions
What is MOTS-c?
A peptide made by your mitochondria, the power plants in your cells, that acts a bit like exercise in a molecule. Most of your DNA sits in the cell’s nucleus, but mitochondria have their own. MOTS-c is coded there and helps cells handle sugar and energy.
What does the research say about MOTS-c?
In mice, it improved insulin sensitivity, prevented diet-related weight gain and boosted exercise capacity. People’s natural levels rise with exercise and fall with age. Direct trials in people are very early.
Is MOTS-c FDA approved?
Not FDA-approved. Reviewed by an FDA advisory committee in July 2026 for obesity and osteoporosis.
What are the side effects of MOTS-c?
Very little human safety data.
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This page explains published research in plain language. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything, and it does not give dosing. Most peptides here are not FDA-approved, and products sold online vary widely in purity. Rules around peptides are changing, so check the current status and talk with a licensed clinician before starting anything. Last reviewed 2026-10-19.