MOTS-c, a mitochondrial peptide, reduces visceral and liver fat and improves insulin sensitivity even on a poor diet by activating AMPK, the cell’s energy sensor, which improves glucose uptake and fuel efficiency.

MOTS-c activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), leading to improved glucose uptake, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic efficiency independent of growth hormone signaling.

Mice that ate a fatty diet and got daily MOTS-c shots didn’t get as fat as mice that didn’t get the shots—even though they ate the same amount of food.

MOTS-c made muscle cells produce more GLUT4 (a sugar transporter) and turned on AMPK (an energy sensor), two key players in how muscles use sugar.

MOTS-c injections reduced fat buildup in the livers of mice eating a high-fat diet, as seen in tissue samples.

Obese mice given MOTS-c injections for three days had lower blood sugar levels than mice that didn't receive the treatment.