When scientists added MOTS-c to cells in a dish, the cells started using more sugar for energy and turned on a key energy sensor called AMPK—until they added folic acid or blocked AMPK, which stopped the effect.

The study shows that a tiny mitochondrial protein called MOTS-c helps cells burn sugar better by turning on an energy sensor (AMPK) and slowing down a related chemical process (folate cycle), which matches what the claim says.