How it works
It acts as a metabolic regulator — research suggests it enhances fat use, improves glucose handling, and increases insulin sensitivity, partly by influencing energy-sensing pathways like AMPK.
The evidence
The strongest data is metabolic and preclinical — for example, marked improvements in insulin sensitivity in animal models. Human clinical evidence is still limited, so its real-world effects are unproven.
Safety
As a largely preclinical compound, its human safety profile is not established. “Promising in mice” is where it sits — interesting biology, unproven and unregulated in people.
FAQ
It's encoded by mitochondrial DNA, not nuclear DNA — a “mitochondrial-derived peptide,” a relatively new concept.
No — most evidence is preclinical/metabolic; human data is limited.
Sources
This profile summarizes the following. Follow the links to read the originals — and remember that summaries age, so check for newer information.
Inclusion here is not endorsement of any source's claims; several are cited so you can compare how different outlets characterize the same evidence.
Reviewed by Remy — part of the PepConnection crew.