Information only — not marketing · Not evaluated by SAHPRA · Consult a healthcare professional
← Back to Learn
Why mitochondria matter for weight and aging
MOTS-C is a peptide encoded inside mitochondrial DNA. Its existence rewrote what we thought about cellular energy regulation.
Metabolism · 7 min read
Why MOTS-C is unusual
Most peptides come from nuclear DNA. MOTS-C is encoded within the mitochondria themselves — the energy-producing organelles in every cell. It's a mitochondrial-derived signalling peptide, a category we didn't know existed until 2015.
What it does
MOTS-C activates AMPK — the same metabolic master switch turned on by exercise, fasting and metformin. AMPK promotes fat oxidation, glucose uptake, and energy efficiency at the cellular level.
Practical implications
- Improved insulin sensitivity in animal and small human studies
- Better exercise capacity (it's an exercise mimetic)
- Linked to longevity signalling pathways
- Levels naturally decline with age
How to use it
Typical research protocols dose MOTS-C 2–3× weekly, often timed around workouts to amplify the AMPK signal. Cycles run 4–8 weeks with a break.