A small peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, used in metabolic and longevity protocols.
MOTS-C is a relatively recent addition to peptide protocols and one with a specific scientific story. It is a peptide encoded not in nuclear DNA but in mitochondrial DNA, the only known mitochondrially-derived peptide in clinical use. Its primary role is in cellular metabolism and energy production.
Why it is interesting. Mitochondrial function declines with age, contributing to the gradual loss of energy, slower recovery, and metabolic flexibility that most people experience in their forties and beyond. MOTS-C supports mitochondrial efficiency and metabolic regulation, which is why it has moved from research into longevity-focused clinical protocols.
What clients use it for. Metabolic support during a body composition programme. Improved exercise tolerance and recovery. Energy and clarity, particularly for clients whose fatigue has not responded to addressing the obvious factors (sleep, nutrition, thyroid, iron). Anti-ageing protocols as one component of a wider plan.
How we run it. The protocol is typically 8 to 12 weeks of weekly or twice-weekly subcutaneous injections. Dosing is conservative, especially when starting, and titrated up based on response and tolerance.
What clients report. Improved exercise capacity and faster recovery. Less afternoon energy slump. Modest improvements in body composition, particularly when paired with strength training. The effects are subtle compared to some peptides but typically more sustained.
What we screen for. Baseline metabolic panel including fasting glucose and lipids, since MOTS-C affects glucose handling. Thyroid status. Any active oncological or autoimmune presentations.
Who is not a good candidate. Pregnant or breastfeeding clients. Anyone with active type 1 diabetes without specific medical supervision. Clients with a personal history of certain mitochondrial diseases.
The honest framing. MOTS-C is one of the newer peptides in clinical use. The body of clinical evidence is smaller than for older peptides like BPC-157 or CJC-1295. We treat it as a promising tool within a longevity programme, not as a first-line intervention. We run it for clients who have addressed the foundational factors and are looking for additional, more targeted layers.
We monitor blood work at the midpoint of the protocol and adjust based on response. As with any peptide, this is a clinical protocol, not a supplement.