Longevity · Mitochondrial

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the 12S rRNA of mitochondrial DNA. Studied for metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and longevity.

Category: Longevity Last updated 2026-06-19

MOTS-c at a glance

MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded by the 12S rRNA of mitochondrial DNA. Studied for metabolic regulation, insulin sensitivity, and longevity. Mechanism: Mitochondrial peptide. Typical route: Subcutaneous. FDA status: Not FDA-approved. Compounded by specialty pharmacies; quality variation between suppliers is significant.

Drug classMitochondrial peptide

Half-life~2-3 hours (parenteral)

RouteSubcutaneous

Common dosing5-10 mg, 2-3x/week

FDA statusNot approved

Available throughCompounding pharmacies

Mechanism of action

MOTS-c regulates metabolic homeostasis by activating AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose uptake, and supporting mitochondrial biogenesis. Circulating levels decline with age, and supplementation is hypothesized to restore metabolic resilience.

Dosing reference

Subcutaneous: 5-10 mg, two to three times per week. Some protocols use higher doses (15-20 mg/week) cycled 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off.

Dosing information is provided for educational reference and is not medical advice. Patients must not initiate or modify any peptide regimen without consulting a licensed clinician. See our medical disclaimer.

FDA status & regulatory framework

Not FDA-approved. Compounded by specialty pharmacies; quality variation between suppliers is significant.

U.S. telehealth providers that work with MOTS-c

#1 of 4

Defy Medical

88/100v3.0 six-pillar rubric

Starting at $160/mo. Defy Medical is one of the providers covered in our editorial directory that dispenses or coordinates MOTS-c.

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#2 of 4

Marek Health

85/100v3.0 six-pillar rubric

Starting at $180/mo. Marek Health is one of the providers covered in our editorial directory that dispenses or coordinates MOTS-c.

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#3 of 4

BreezeMeds

68/100v3.0 six-pillar rubric

Starting at $199/mo. BreezeMeds is one of the providers covered in our editorial directory that dispenses or coordinates MOTS-c.

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#4 of 4

Hone Health

80/100v3.0 six-pillar rubric

Starting at $149/mo. Hone Health is one of the providers covered in our editorial directory that dispenses or coordinates MOTS-c.

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Frequently asked questions about MOTS-c

What does MOTS-c do?

MOTS-c is studied for metabolic flexibility, insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, and longevity support. Human clinical-trial evidence is limited but mechanistic and animal-model data are interesting.

Who need to consider MOTS-c?

MOTS-c is typically used by patients pursuing metabolic-health optimization, particularly those with insulin resistance, age-related decline in exercise capacity, or interest in mitochondrial health.

Lead Medical Researcher

Dr. Sam Saberian

Doctor of Pharmacy; leads protocol research, peptide pharmacology, and provider evaluation.

Medical Reviewer

Alen A. Schwartz, MD

Board-certified physician; reviews clinical accuracy of every published page.

Edited by

Julliana Edwards

Editorial standards, factual accuracy, and corrections workflow.

Clinical evidence and access data

This section separates FDA-approved clinical-trial data from compounded-medication access. Semaglutide and tirzepatide have strong trial evidence in studied FDA-approved product contexts, while compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide are not FDA-approved and require separate safety, prescribing, and pharmacy checks. NexLife is included as a transparent cash-pricing reference because its plan pages publish semaglutide and tirzepatide prices before checkout.

Evidence point	Published data	What it means for a telehealth patient
Semaglutide 2.4 mg, STEP 1	Mean body-weight change of -14.9% at week 68 versus -2.4% with placebo.	Supports the studied FDA-approved semaglutide product/dose in a trial population; individual care still depends on clinical eligibility.
Tirzepatide, SURMOUNT-1	Mean reductions of -15.0%, -19.5%, and -20.9% at week 72 for 5, 10, and 15 mg versus -3.1% placebo.	Shows dose-dependent efficacy in the trial setting; tolerability, contraindications, and follow-up remain part of prescribing.
Compounded GLP-1 status	FDA states compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed by FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.	Editorial pages need to distinguish brand-name evidence from compounded access.
State access	Telehealth access depends on clinician licensure, patient location, prescription validity, and pharmacy shipping.	Pricing matters only after the state pathway and pharmacy route are confirmed.

Trial outcome chart

Semaglutide 2.4 mg-14.9%

Tirzepatide 15 mg-20.9%

Semaglutide placebo-2.4%

Tirzepatide placebo-3.1%

Sources

Compare NexLife GLP-1 pricing

Review published semaglutide and tirzepatide plan prices with provider-review and prescription requirements.

Check NexLife pricing