Metabolism
For people who want to support how their body uses sugar and fat.
Physician-prescribed · San Francisco telehealth
MOTS-c Peptide Therapy in San Francisco
MOTS-c is a peptide made by your mitochondria, the energy centers of your cells. It is studied for metabolism, energy and exercise performance. Learn how it works, how it compares with NAD+ and whether it may fit your goals, starting with a free telehealth consult.
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First step
Free consult by telehealth
Prescribed by
Board-certified M.D.
How it's used
Small injection at home
Delivered
Shipped to your home
The basics
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a peptide of 16 amino acids that your body makes from the DNA inside your mitochondria. Researchers at the University of Southern California first described it in 2015.
Most of your body's proteins are coded in the nucleus of each cell. MOTS-c is one of a small group of peptides coded by mitochondrial DNA, which lets your mitochondria send signals about energy to the rest of the body.
Exercise raises MOTS-c levels, and levels tend to be lower in older adults. That is why it has drawn so much interest for metabolism, fitness and healthy aging.
How MOTS-c works
- Energy sensor. MOTS-c activates AMPK, a master switch that helps cells take in glucose and burn fuel.
- Blood sugar. It has been shown to improve how the body responds to insulin.
- Muscle and exercise. It supports how muscle handles stress and has been studied for exercise capacity.
MOTS-c is one of several options in our peptide therapy program.
Common reasons
Why people ask about MOTS-c
Here are the goals patients most often bring up. Individual results vary.
Energy
For people who feel their energy is not what it used to be.
Exercise performance
For active people interested in endurance and recovery.
Body composition
For people working on fat loss alongside diet and exercise.
Blood sugar
For people interested in how their body handles glucose.
Healthy aging
For people thinking long term about how they age.
What researchers have looked at
Since its discovery, MOTS-c has been studied for insulin sensitivity, weight and body fat, exercise capacity, muscle function and healthy aging. In studies, MOTS-c improved how the body used glucose, and researchers found that physical activity raises MOTS-c levels in people.
Your options
MOTS-c vs. NAD+
People interested in energy often ask about both. Here is how they compare, along with the “research peptides” sold online.
Metabolism focus
MOTS-c
What it is
A peptide your mitochondria make
Main interest
Metabolism, blood sugar and exercise
How it's used
Small injection at home
Oversight
Prescribed and guided by a physician
Energy focus
NAD+
What it is
A coenzyme every cell uses to make energy
Main interest
Cellular energy and mental sharpness
How it's used
Small injection at home
Learn more
Online sellers
“Research peptides”
What it is
Powders sold online, often labeled not for human use
Form
You mix it yourself
Quality
No way to verify what is in the vial
Keep in mind
No physician review of your health history
What to expect
How MOTS-c therapy works at TruSpine
- 01
Book your free consult
Choose a time online. Your telehealth consult has no cost and no obligation.
- 02
Meet with Dr. Supreet Shah
By telehealth, you go over your energy, metabolism and fitness goals and whether MOTS-c may fit. Then you complete a short intake with your health history and medications.
- 03
Physician review
Dr. Crystal Broussard, M.D. reviews your intake, orders labs only if needed, and decides whether MOTS-c is appropriate for you.
- 04
Delivered to your door
If prescribed, MOTS-c ships to your home from a pharmacy. Dr. Broussard provides instructions for your dose and schedule.
Your care team
You meet with Dr. Shah. A board-certified M.D. prescribes.
Your free telehealth consult is with Dr. Supreet Shah. Because MOTS-c requires a prescription, a physician makes the medical decision.
Step 1: your free consult
Dr. Supreet Shah
DC, MS, CCSP · TruSpine clinic director
You meet with Dr. Shah by video to talk through your goals and whether MOTS-c may fit. He then sends you a short health intake.
Step 2: physician review
Dr. Crystal Broussard
M.D. · Board certified in internal medicine
Dr. Broussard reviews your intake, decides whether MOTS-c is appropriate, and handles any prescription, dose and follow-up. She does not take bookings directly. She is licensed in all 50 states.
About Dr. Broussard →Safety
Is MOTS-c right for you?
Tell your physician if you
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
- Have diabetes or low blood sugar, or take insulin or other diabetes medications
- Have now or have had cancer
- Take prescription medications
- Compete in a tested sport (MOTS-c is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list)
Possible side effects
The most commonly reported is redness, itching or soreness where it is injected.
Call 911 for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain or a severe reaction.
About compounded MOTS-c
MOTS-c is compounded for individual patients by prescription. It is one of six peptides named in an October 2026 federal policy on compounding by licensed pharmacies. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Your physician will explain what that means before you decide.
Be careful buying peptides online. “Research peptides” give you no way to verify what you are getting.
FAQs
MOTS-c questions, answered
What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a small peptide made of 16 amino acids. It is unusual because it is coded by the DNA inside your mitochondria, the parts of your cells that make energy, rather than by the DNA in the cell's nucleus. Your body makes it naturally.
What is MOTS-c used for?
People most often ask about it for metabolism, energy, exercise performance and healthy aging. It has been studied for how the body uses blood sugar and fat.
How do I get started at TruSpine?
Book a free telehealth consult with Dr. Supreet Shah. After your consult you complete a short intake, and Dr. Crystal Broussard, M.D. reviews it and decides whether MOTS-c is appropriate for you.
How does MOTS-c work?
MOTS-c acts as a signal from your mitochondria to the rest of the cell. It activates AMPK, an energy sensor that helps cells take in and burn glucose, and it supports how muscle responds to exercise.
Why is MOTS-c called an exercise mimetic?
Exercise raises MOTS-c levels in the body, and MOTS-c activates some of the same energy pathways that exercise does. That is why researchers describe it as an exercise mimetic.
Do MOTS-c levels change with age?
Yes. Researchers have found that MOTS-c levels tend to be lower in older adults. That is one reason people interested in healthy aging ask about it.
How is MOTS-c taken?
MOTS-c is a small injection under the skin that you do at home. Dr. Broussard sets your dose and schedule, and you get clear instructions.
Is MOTS-c a weight loss medication?
No. MOTS-c is not a weight loss drug. People interested in metabolism often ask about it alongside a healthy diet and exercise. If weight loss is your main goal, ask about our medical weight loss program.
Can I take MOTS-c with a GLP-1 or diabetes medication?
Tell Dr. Broussard about every medication you take, especially insulin or other diabetes medications. She will review them before deciding whether MOTS-c is appropriate for you.
Is MOTS-c FDA-approved?
No. MOTS-c is not an FDA-approved medication. When prescribed, it is prepared by a compounding pharmacy for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Dr. Broussard will explain what that means before you decide.
How long does it take to notice a difference?
It varies from person to person. Dr. Broussard will set a time frame for checking in on your goals.
What are the side effects?
The most commonly reported are redness, itching or soreness where it is injected. Tell your provider about anything unusual.
Can athletes use MOTS-c?
If you compete in a tested sport, no. MOTS-c is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list. Check your sport's rules before starting any peptide.
How much does MOTS-c cost?
It depends on your dose and how long you use it. We will go over the exact cost during your free consult, before you decide anything. Insurance usually does not cover peptides.
Who should not use MOTS-c?
It is not appropriate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Tell your physician if you have diabetes or low blood sugar, if you have now or have had cancer, or if you take prescription medications.
This page is for general information and is not medical advice. Prescriptions are issued only when a physician determines they are appropriate. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. Individual results vary.
Curious whether MOTS-c is right for you?
Book a free telehealth consult. There is no cost and no obligation, and you can do it from home.