Benefits:
-improved metabolic function
-enhances glucose uptake in muscle cells
-promotes fat metabolism.
-improves insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing insulin resistance.
-enhanced exercise performance
-increases muscle endurance and exercise capacity by promoting mitochondrial efficiency.
-boosts AMK-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, mimicking the effects of exercise at a cellular level
-supports muscle recovery and fatigue resistance
-anti-aging and longevity support
-activates stress response pathways that protect against age-related decline in metabolism
-improves mitochondrial function, which often deteriorates with age
-some animal studies show increased healthspan and resistance to age-related metabolic disease
-encourages the body to switch from carbohydrate to fat utilization under stress or fasting
-may aid in reducing adiposity and improving lean muscle-to-fat ratio
-cognitive and cellular protection
-protects neurons against oxidative and metabolic stress
-enhances cellular resilience, potentially benefiting brain health and performance.
 
MOTS-C (Mitochondrial ORF of the Twelve S rRNA type-C) is a small peptide naturally encoded in mitochondrial DNA. It plays a role in cellular metabolism, stress response, and metabolic homeostasis. Research (mostly preclinical, with emerging human data) suggests MOTS-C helps the body adapt to metabolic stress and improves energy balance.
 
MOTS-C helps the body switch from burning glycogen during exercise to mobilising fat for energy. It functions like an exercise mimetic, conferring the physiological benefits of exercise through the AMPK pathway without performing any activity. AMPK is the master regulator of energy homeostasis. You will notice a surge of natural energy upon administration that will last for several days. 
 
AMPK activation occurs indirectly through folate–methionine cycle regulation, which influences nucleotide and redox metabolism. Once activated, AMPK increases glucose uptake and fatty acid oxidation. This inhibits lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. It also enhances mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy (cellular renewal).
 
MOTS-C mimics certain effects of endurance exercise. It increases oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle, enhances glucose utilization under low-energy conditions and promotes mitochondrial efficiency and resistance to fatigue. Studies show it upregulates PGC-1α, SIRT1, and UCPs (uncoupling proteins) — genes tied to energy metabolism and longevity.
 
For advanced lifters, its role in improving glucose update into the muscle cells is particularly noteworthy. Remaining full whilst restricting calories is a challenge. MOTS-C will help positively partition carbohydrate intake to facilitate this.