yes i take peptides · shopping companion
MOTS-c
Category · For LongStatus · RUOCitations · 60
The verdict
Depends — narrow use case for documented insulin resistance in a self-experimenting adult, with hard before/after labs.
By source — cost, legality, risk
- BrandNot availableNone — no FDA approvalNo FDA-approved MOTS-c.
- Compounded 503A pharmacy$150–$400/mo at the handful of clinics that ship itNo meaningful 503A pathway; small longevity practices dispense under contested interpretationsA handful of longevity compounders dispense; the major hormone clinics (Marek, Hone, Defy) typically don't carry it.
- RUO research peptide$110–$300/moSold 'for research only'The dominant US-facing supply; the 16-aa mitochondrial peptide is non-trivial to synthesize, sub-95% purity is common.
- Gray-market raw$15–$30/moUnregulated overseas importSame upstream molecule as RUO. Crypto/Wise pay, no published COA — and notably cheaper per mg.
Stop signals · abort if
- persistent severe fatigue or malaise
- any new metabolic deterioration
- any new mass or unexplained pain
- allergic reaction
Sources · top 5 of 60
- 01Gao Y, et al. MOTS-c Functionally Prevents Metabolic Disorders. Metabolites. 2023;13(1). PMID: 36677050.
- 02Kumagai H, et al. MOTS-c reduces myostatin and muscle atrophy signaling. American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. 2021;320(4):E680-E690. PMID: 33554779.
- 03Zheng Y, et al. MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Frontiers in endocrinology. 2023;14:1120533. PMID: 36761202.
- 04Benayoun BA, et al. MOTS-c: A Mitochondrial-Encoded Regulator of the Nucleus. BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. 2019;41(9):e1900046. PMID: 31378979.
- 05Lee C, et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell metabolism. 2015;21(3):443-54. PMID: 25738459.