MOTS-c vs NAD+
MOTS-c is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5 for evidence; NAD+ is not FDA-approved and rated 2/5. They have a similar amount of human evidence. Both are used for longevity & skin goals.
Often used together: Both marketed for mitochondrial and metabolic support. Rationale only; no combined studies.
| Compare |  MOTS-cA mitochondria-derived peptide studied for metabolism and exercise capacity. |  NAD+A core cellular coenzyme that declines with age — popular for 'energy', thin on proof. |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Longevity & Skin | Longevity & Skin |
| Evidence | 2/5Mostly mouse studies; very early human work (levels rise with exercise). | 2/5Strong biology and mouse aging studies; human trials mostly test oral precursors (NR, NMN). Direct NAD+ injection/infusion has only small pharmacokinetic studies. |
| FDA status | Not FDA-approved | Not FDA-approved as a drug |
| WADA (sport) | Not prohibited | Not prohibited |
| Also known as | Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA-c | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, β-NAD, Coenzyme I |
| How it works | Activates AMPK and shifts cellular metabolism, mimicking some exercise effects. | Shuttles electrons in energy metabolism and is consumed by sirtuins, PARPs (DNA repair) and CD38. Injected NAD+ is likely broken down to smaller precursors outside cells before being taken up, so how much reaches cells intact is unclear. |
| Half-life | Short | Short in blood (minutes to hours); quickly broken down to precursors |
| Commonly reported doses |
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| Route | Subcutaneous | Subcutaneous |
| Good once mixed | ~28 days in the fridge | ~14 days in the fridge |
| Top side effects |
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| Lowest price per mg | $2.02 (40 mg vial, 40% off) | $0.08 (500 mg vial, 40% off) |
| Latest lab purity | 99.81% (lot MTC0003) | 99.18% (lot NAD0002) |
Want a third? Add another peptide. Doses are commonly reported ranges, not recommendations.