Astaxanthin vs MOTS-c
Side-by-side comparison of Astaxanthin and MOTS-c: mechanism, half-life, dose range, safety profile, and vendor pricing.
Price snapshot
Astaxanthin
MOTS-c
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a red-orange keto-carotenoid xanthophyll, chemically classified as a 3,3''-dihydroxy-beta,beta-carotene-4,4''-dione. Unlike beta-carotene, astaxanthin does not convert to vitamin A in mammals, which…
No vendor price on file.
Full Astaxanthin profileMOTS-c
MOTS-c (Mitochondrial ORF of the Twelve S rRNA type-c) is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide — a member of a recently discovered class of small peptides encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than nuclear DNA. It…
Lowest listed price: $44.99 across 9 listings
Full MOTS-c profileSide-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Astaxanthin | MOTS-c |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Carotenoid | Longevity & Cellular Health |
| Research Stage | Preclinical | Preclinical |
| Mechanism of Action | Astaxanthin's mechanism of action centers on its exceptional antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing activity, supplemented by anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and signaling effects that together produce broad tissue-protective activity. Unlike molecules with… | A New Class of Signaling Molecule MOTS-c belongs to the mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) - a class of small peptides encoded within mitochondrial DNA open reading frames that were historically thought to encode only ribosomal RNAs. The known MDPs include:… |
| Half-Life | — | ~4–6 hours |
| Typical Dose Range | — | 5,000–10,000 mcg (5–10 mg) per injection |
| Dosing Frequency | — | 2-3 times per week |
| Administration | — | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular |
| Side Effects | Astaxanthin at supplementation doses (4-12 mg/day) has one of the most favorable safety profiles among dietary supplements. Human trials at doses up to 40 mg/day for up to 4 months have not identified significant adverse effects. The FDA has granted GRAS… | Reported Effects (limited human data) - Injection site reactions — Mild erythema, transient itching at SC injection site. Site rotation minimizes. Probably the single most reported issue. - Transient fatigue — Some users report mild fatigue in the first week… |
| Molecular Weight | — | 2174 Da |
| Common Vial Sizes | — | 5mg, 10mg |
Price History
5 data points- OF
- BM
- Half Nattys
- Ion Peptide
- Disguised Alpha
- BHG Labs
Astaxanthin: potential benefits
- No structured benefit list published.
MOTS-c: potential benefits
- Insulin sensitivity
- Exercise mimicry
- Metabolic health
- Anti-aging
- Fat oxidation
- Longevity
Frequently asked
What's the difference between Astaxanthin and MOTS-c?
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid that astaxanthin's mechanism of action centers on its exceptional antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing activity, supplemented by anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and signaling…. MOTS-c is a longevity & cellular health that a new class of signaling molecule mots-c belongs to the mitochondrial-derived peptides (mdps) - a class of small peptides encoded within mitochondrial dna open reading frames that…. The two differ in mechanism, half-life (not reported vs ~4–6 hours), and typical dose range.
Which has the longer half-life, Astaxanthin or MOTS-c?
Astaxanthin has a half-life of not reported. MOTS-c has a half-life of ~4–6 hours. Longer half-lives generally mean less frequent dosing but slower on/off kinetics.
Can you stack Astaxanthin and MOTS-c?
Stacking depends on mechanism overlap, safety profile, and goals. Astaxanthin and MOTS-c should only be stacked after reviewing each compound's individual protocol page, side effect profile, and any published interaction data. Use the BodyHackGuide stack builder for a structured review before combining research compounds.
See current vendor prices
Listings from the vendors we track. Prices change often, so check the vendor before you buy.
Before you buy Astaxanthin or MOTS-c
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Related comparisons
Research use only. BodyHackGuide is a research and price-comparison reference. The compounds discussed on this page are not approved by the FDA for human consumption and are sold strictly for laboratory research. Prices shown are pulled from vendor listings tracked on BHG and are subject to change. Every vendor is ranked on the same public, reproducible methodology. See editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.