MOTS-C Peptide Guide – Effects, Dosage, Side Effects

MOTS-C is one of the potent peptides with an ability to increase insulin sensitivity, specifically in skeletal muscles, and enhance your exercise regimens tremendously. More about Mots-c in this article!.

If you are an athlete or into fitness, I am pretty sure that you must have at least once tried to look for a peptide that could optimize your exercise regimens in the most natural way by working at the micro level rather than macro level.

With new research popping up every day on different peptides, we now have a peptide in the market that works to revamp your metabolism in such a way that leads to stronger stamina and enhanced athletic activity.

While most of the existing peptides available in the market trigger the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland, Mots-c is pretty unique in its mechanism of action and this is a peptide that we are talking about today.

Read through the end to know everything about Mots-c and make a decision as an athlete whether it should be your go-to peptide or not.

Warning: The content on Muscleandbrawn.com and the information included in this article is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to buying anything, check that it is compliant where you live with your current government laws. We frequently mention research chemicals that are not made for human consumption. Therefore, before purchasing any product for personal use, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first.

Key Takeaways: 

  1. MOTS-C is a 16 amino acid peptide, transcribed particularly from mitochondrial DNA.
  2. The peptide increases insulin sensitivity, optimizing glucose utilization and overall body metabolism.
  3. MOTS-C peptide can also increase cell differentiation, leading to osteoporosis management or prevention.

What is Mots-c?

Several mitochondrial-derived peptides have been studied for their therapeutic applications in the past few years. And, Mots-c is one of them!

Mots-c is a peptide consisting of 16 amino acids transcribed specifically from the mitochondrial genome (1).

Detailed studies and thorough analysis confirm that mots-c helps regulate several metabolic pathways in energy production. The peptide assists in weight regulation, exercise, longevity, and glucose metabolism (2).

Due to its widespread systemic effects, mots-c is a therapeutic peptide that can be used for recreational purposes.

How Does Mots-c Work?

Unlike several other peptides, Mots-c doesn’t work by inducing the release of growth hormone. Instead, it works by enhancing glucose metabolism via various pathways. With an improved glucose metabolism, the body can produce more significant amounts of energy, allowing different ways to function smoothly.

MOTS-C Peptide Guide - Effects, Dosage, Side Effects
Fig 1. Ways in which Mots-c improves metabolism, endurance, and bone strength

Metabolic dysfunction, such as surplus food intake with no physical activity, can lead to diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (3). It is also reported that excess food can cause mitochondrial dysfunction in specific ways.

This is where mots-c comes into play. Okay, before going ahead, let me first explain to you what functional metabolism is. Available metabolism consists of proper intake and utilization of glucose reservoirs and optimal insulin function alongside well-functioning mitochondria.

One of the prime functions of Mots-c is to increase insulin sensitivity manifolds, particularly in the skeletal muscles. They do so by enhancing the AMPK pathway (4). This allows the body to use more storage biomolecules and increase energy expenditure to run other metabolic pathways.

Research also reports that Mots-c can help increase glucose clearance instead of lowering its production inside the liver. It is seen to reduce non-fasting glucose levels and improve glucose tolerance tests. Besides this, mots-c is known to increase bone cell differentiation and alleviate osteoporosis symptoms. However, the exact mechanism is unknown!

Benefits of Mots-c

This is the most exciting part! MOTS-C is one of those peptides with a wide array of systemic benefits. The peptide assists in numerous body functions with minimal to no side effects.

Promotes Weight Loss

MOTS-c is commonly used for weight loss. Mots-c increases the use of energy reservoirs such as glucose and fatty acids. This, in turn, reduces fatty tissue for energy production and expenditure (5).

Researchers report a significant decrease in obesity in rats that were fed a high-fat diet and supplemented with Mots-c.

Enhances Exercise Regimens

Due to its ability to enhance insulin sensitivity and energy production, one can use Mots-c to optimize exercise regimens. The peptide can increase endurance and energy levels for cardio exercises.

MOTS-C Peptide Guide - Effects, Dosage, Side Effects
Fig 2. Difference in athletic performance after saline infusion vs Mots-c intake

Optimizes Mitochondrial Health

Research trials also suggest a rather protective action of Mots-c in mitochondrial health. The peptide can help protect mitochondrial DNA against free radicals and oxidative stresses.

Improved Cardiovascular Functioning

Besides this, it is believed that low MOTS-c can cause endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, rats supplemented with MOTS-c peptide improved endothelial and epicardial blood vasculature, leading to advanced heart functions (6).

Anti-Aging Effects

Lastly, its cell differentiation ability can help cease excessive inflammation and osteoporosis of bones. This is one of the ways of slowing down the aging process (7).

Is Mots-c Legal?

Like other peptides, Mots-c is unfortunately not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is strictly forbidden to use Mots-c for human consumption.

However, you will still find many online peptide stores selling Mots-c so you can anyways buy it.

Dosage & Cycling

Peptides need to be also dosed very carefully to mitigate the risk of developing any adverse effects. 

For mots-c, it is recommended to use 10 mg of it subcutaneously once a week. As far as cycling is concerned, you can run the peptide for four weeks straight!

To know more about dosage and cycling guidelines, you may view the detailed chart available on Muscle and Brawn.

Side Effects of Mots-c

Mots-c is one of those peptides that rarely cause any major side effects. The peptide is believed to be very safe for human consumption; however, limited research trials have been performed so far involving human subjects. Therefore, you may need to be pretty careful before deciding to use Mots-c. 

Nevertheless, Mots-c can cause redness and rashes at the administration site, so a little icing after a Mots-c injection can be helpful.

User Reviews and Experiences

Because there is pretty limited research done on Mots-c, digging into some of the user reviews and experiences can give us some real insights.

One of the users at Reddit said,

“The typical protocol for MOTS-c is 10mg 3X weekly for four weeks, then 10mg weekly for four weeks. I also use 5mg instead of the 10mg dosing with good results. When it comes to mitochondrial dysfunction, this peptide is great. I have used it personally without much result, but I’m a conditioned athlete who exercises 2-3 hours daily. I find that this is a great adjunct to treatment in my patients with any mitochondrial dysfunction.”

Another one said,

“I’m using MOTS-C currently. I’m doing 5mg three times a week. It appears beneficial, but it’s hard to attribute my results to MOTS-C specifically because I’m also just training a ton on TRT and CJC1295/ipamorelin.

That said, after my first dose I swim a record distance for myself (2100 yards continuously whereas my max was 400 yards).” 

Mots-c Stacks

Stacking peptides is one of the best ways to enjoy synergistic effects in one go with maximal optimization. While Mots-c is not popularly stacked, there are still some experiences and studies that could be helpful for us to understand the stacking of Mots-c.

MOTS-c + IGF1-LR3 + PEG MGF

It is now becoming a standard regimen to stack Mots-c with IGF1-LR3 and PEG MGF and use it as a monotherapy. IGF1-LR3 increases fatty acid oxidation and enhances muscle repair by inhibiting myostatin. Additionally, you can supplement with PEG-MGF due to similar effects.

For this monotherapy to be effective, it is fundamental to increase 25-75 mcg per day for six weeks; for Mots-c, use 10 mg thrice a week for six weeks.

If you want to include PEG MGF in the stack, 200-300 mcg 2-3 times per week should be enough! 

MOTS-c +CJC 1295/Ipamorelin

This one is quite a new combination of peptide stack. CJC 1295 and Ipamorelin work via increasing growth hormone production from the anterior pituitary gland. This, in turn, facilitates the burning of fat and protein production and, like Mots-c, stabilizes insulin function.

Where to Buy Mots-c?

There are only a few vendors that sell the best quality MOTS-c peptide; Biotech Peptides and Sports Technology Labs are two of the leading ones.

MOTS-C Peptide

MOTS-C is a 16 amino acid peptide, transcribed particularly from mitochondrial DNA that can be used to improve insulin sensitivity.

Greater insulin sensitivity has been linked with fat loss, muscle gain, greater health, reduced risk of diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Studies would suggest that this peptide helps with weight regulation, exercise, longevity, and glucose metabolism.

MOTS-C Overview

⭐️ Top Benefits: Improves Insulin Sensitivity
🧪 Form: Injectable liquid
⌛️ Max Time Used: 4 Weeks
💰 Average Cost: $74.99
❤️‍🩹 Side Effects: Injection site pain
☢️ Dangers: Not really
📚 Best Peptide Stack: HGH, CJC/IPA, HGH-Frag
Men/Women: Men and women

  • Improves insulin sensitivity
  • Can help with weight loss and muscle gain
  • Pain at the injection site

Is Mots-c Legit?

Mots-c is definitely one of the legit peptides available in the market. The peptide, with its beneficial effects such as enhanced exercise tolerance, functional metabolism, weight loss, and prevention of osteoporosis, makes mots-c one of the effective therapeutic peptides.

Although there is pretty limited research available involving humans as subjects, it shows promising results in all other clinical trials ever conducted. Due to its positive impact on insulin sensitivity, it is hypothesized that mots-c can also be used to treat diabetes mellitus type 2.

FAQs about Mots-c

Is MOTS-c FDA approved?

No, for now, MOTS-c is not yet approved by the FDA for human consumption. However, one can indeed use it for research purposes.

Does MOTS-c work?

YES! Mots-c works quite well when optimum exercise is concerned. Studies propose that subjects treated with Mots-c could run faster than the non-treated ones.

Can MOTS-c help you lose weight?

MOTS-c promotes functional metabolism, thereby enhancing and optimizing exercise ability, glucose metabolism, and losing weight simultaneously.

How to inject MOTS-c peptide?

Mots-c is one of the few injectable peptides available. For this peptide, subcutaneous administration is recommended and considered safe

MOTS-C Reconstitution and Dosage Calculator

Still Have Questions?

Drop us a comment down below and one of our expert coaches will respond to it. We’ll also be answering questions on our Instagram!

1. Zheng Y, Wei Z, Wang T. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2023;14:1120533. Published 2023 Jan 25. doi:10.3389/fendo.2023.1120533
2. Lee C, Kim KH, Cohen P. MOTS-c: A novel mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating muscle and fat metabolism. Free Radic Biol Med. 2016;100:182-187. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.05.015
3. Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab. 2015;21(3):443-454. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009
4. Mohtashami Z, Singh MK, Salimiaghdam N, Ozgul M, Kenney MC. MOTS-c, the Most Recent Mitochondrial Derived Peptide in Human Aging and Age-Related Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(19):11991. Published 2022 Oct 9. doi:10.3390/ijms231911991
5. Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2021;12(1):470. Published 2021 Jan 20. doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20790-0
6. Yuan J, Wang M, Pan Y, et al. The mitochondrial signaling peptide MOTS-c improves myocardial performance during exercise training in rats. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):20077. Published 2021 Oct 11. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-99568-3
7. Kong BS, Lee C, Cho YM. Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c, Diabetes, and Aging-Related Diseases [published online ahead of print, 2023 Feb 24]. Diabetes Metab J. 2023;10.4093/dmj.2022.0333. doi:10.4093/dmj.2022.0333

Contributors

Kumar Rathi

Kumar Rathi | Writer

Kartik is a medical student with a passion for anatomy and physiology. He writes research papers, articles and blogs to raise awareness and also has a strong interest in teaching and public speaking. Aspiring to be a successful cardiologist, Kartik believes in connecting with people on a personal level and is an expert in peptides.

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MOTS-C

Chemical Structure

Mechanism of Action

Mots-c enhances AMPK pathway, thereby increasing insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake. This enhances energy expenditure that can be used to run other metabolic pathways.

Class of Compound

Peptide

Street Names

Mots-c

Effects

Promotes weight loss Enhances exercise regimens Improved cardiovascular functioning

Side Effects and Dangers

Redness/Rashes at the administration site

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