An injectable peptide made by the body's energy factories that copies some effects of exercise and naturally falls with age. Its most consistent signals — better blood-sugar handling, less fat gain, improved physical performance — come almost entirely from animal studies. Human evidence is thin, no approved form exists, and its promise substantially outruns its proof. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | 75–86 mg/dL | Tracks the core metabolic target and flags low blood sugar |
| Fasting insulin | 2–5 µIU/mL | Gauges insulin sensitivity, the primary proposed benefit |
| HbA1c | 4.8–5.3% | Captures longer-term glucose control |
| Lipid panel (total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) | Triglycerides <80 mg/dL; HDL >50 mg/dL | MOTS-c levels correlate with cholesterol markers; tracks metabolic shift |
| hs-CRP | <0.5 mg/L | Monitors the proposed anti-inflammatory effect and general inflammation |
| Comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney and liver function) | Within lab reference range | Safety monitoring for an unapproved injectable and peptide clearance |
Cadence: Baseline, then at approximately 4–6 weeks after starting, and thereafter every 3–6 months while continuing; more frequent glucose self-checks in the first weeks if combined with glucose-lowering agents