MOTS-c
Metabolic & weight lossLongevity & anti-agingAlso known as: Mitochondrial ORF of the twelve S rRNA type-c, Mitochondrial derived peptide
A small mitochondrial peptide studied for energy metabolism, fat handling, and healthy aging.
2.What it is / mechanism
MOTS-c is a short peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA, which makes it unusual. It acts like an energy signal. Its best studied effect is turning on AMPK, a master switch that tells cells to burn fat and handle glucose better, especially under stress, exercise, or aging. Because the body makes it naturally, it is often framed as a metabolism and longevity peptide.s1
3.What the evidence supports
- Animal data onlyTurns on AMPK and shifts cells toward burning fat and handling glucose better.s1
Its most studied effect, shown in cell and animal work.
The preclinical findings are interesting, but human data is limited and still emerging.
- Anecdotal onlyUsed by people for fat loss, energy, and longevity.
Community use runs ahead of the human evidence.
4.Dosing
| Route(s) | subcutaneous |
|---|---|
| Typical range | About 5 to 10 mg per week, often split as 5 mg two to three times a week. |
| Frequency | 2 to 3 times per week |
| Cycle guidance | Usually run in 4 to 8 week cycles. |
| Notes | Human dosing comes from community practice, not trials. Animal data points to a short blood , roughly 1 to 2 hours, so MOTS-c does not build up in the blood. The spread out schedule reflects how long its effects seem to last, not how long it stays in the blood. |
A dose is only as good as the draw. Which syringe you need depends on how much water you mixed with, and the most common gear mistakes (a 0.5 mL syringe that cannot hold the dose, a mixing barrel that ships without needles, sizing up a needle because of body fat) are all avoidable. See what to buy: syringes, needles, and the rest of the kit.
5.Reconstitution
| Vial sizes | 5 mg, 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Diluent | Bacteriostatic water for multi dose vials, or sterile water for single use |
| Concentration | Example: a 10 mg vial plus 1 mL of water gives 10 mg/mL, so a 5 mg dose is 0.5 mL, which is 50 units on a U-100 syringe. Add more water for a smaller draw. |
| Notes | MOTS-c usually ships as 5 mg or 10 mg freeze dried vials. |
Reconstitution calculator
Pick your vial size and how much water you add to see the draw volume and syringe units for a dose. Open the full calculator →
Inputs
Which do you know?
You want a set amount of compound. We show how many units to draw on the syringe.
Reminder: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg
Total amount stated on the vial, e.g. 5 mg.
How much diluent you draw into the vial.
Check this before you read the result. 1 mg = 1,000 mcg, so picking the wrong one is a 1,000x error, not a rounding error.
Result
Draw to
10 units
= 0.1 mL on a U-100 syringe
Easy draw: this dose comes out to a clean 10 units.
Aim for a dose that lands on an even number of units, like 10, 20, or 50. It is easier to draw accurately and to remember, and it keeps you off awkward repeating decimals.
- Concentration
- 2,500 mcg/mL
- Per unit
- 25 mcg / unit
- Doses per vial
- 20
Your settings live in the address bar, so a pasted link opens this calculator exactly as you left it.
Educational estimate only. Not medical or dosing advice. Verify every calculation independently before use.
6.Storage & stability
Lyophilized (dry)
| Temp | Freeze for long term storage, or 2 to 8 short term |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | Many months when frozen |
| Notes | Keep dry and out of light until you mix it. |
Reconstituted
| Temp | 2 to 8 (refrigerated) |
|---|---|
| Shelf life | About 2 to 4 weeks |
| Notes | Do not freeze after mixing. Discard if cloudy or discolored. |
7.Reported side effects
8.Interactions & stacking risks
- CautionBlood sugar lowering medicines
Because it may improve glucose handling, watch for additive effects if you already take diabetes medicine.
9.Contraindications / who should avoid
- SeriousPregnancy or breastfeeding
No safety data in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
10.COA & purity notes
| Common adulterants | underdosed or mislabeled vials, material sold with poor stability, since these peptides degrade easily |
|---|---|
| Mislabeling | Mitochondrial peptides are fragile and can degrade, so storage and a recent COA matter. |
| Notes | Sold as unregulated research material. |
11.Sources
Last reviewed 2026-07-08 · status: reviewed