Lean Energy: what the research says about NAD+, MOTS-c and 5-Amino-1MQ
Lean Energy combines NAD+, MOTS-c and 5-Amino-1MQ. The research section below covers each one.
Lean Energy from USA Standard Research: dissolving strips, NAD+ 80 mg, MOTS-c 2 mg and 5-Amino-1MQ 2 mg per strip, 30 strips. Sold for research use only.
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The research
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
Coenzyme central to cell energy metabolism; most human studies test precursors such as NR and NMN rather than NAD+ itself.
Limited human data; mostly precursor studies
What it is studied for
Research asks whether raising NAD+ improves aging and metabolic health. Most human trials gave oral precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) or NMN. A pilot at a clinic offering NAD+ infusions gave 8 men a 6-hour IV infusion of NAD+, with 3 men given saline, to track blood and urine levels.
What the evidence says
In that pilot, blood NAD+ did not rise during the first 2 hours, and no adverse events were seen. Oral precursors raise NAD-related markers, but effects on function and metabolism have been mixed and often null. Claims that NAD+ products boost energy or slow aging lack human outcome evidence.
MOTS-c
Peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, studied in mice for insulin resistance, obesity and exercise capacity.
Mainly animal and laboratory evidence
What it is studied for
MOTS-c has been studied in mice for diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and age-related physical decline. A 2021 study also found that exercise raised natural MOTS-c levels in human muscle and blood.
What the evidence says
Mouse studies reported prevention of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, and better physical capacity when old mice were treated. These are animal results. FDA says it has found no human exposure data for MOTS-c drug products and lacks key information on whether it would cause harm in people.
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium)
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied in mice and cells for diet-induced obesity and age-related muscle decline.
Animal and cell studies only
What it is studied for
Researchers have tested it in obese mice fed a high-fat diet and in aged mice. One study measured muscle repair after injury in 24-month-old mice; another compared it with and without intensive exercise in older mice.
What the evidence says
In an 11-day study of 9 obese mice per group, treated mice lost about 5% of body weight while controls gained slightly, with no change in food intake. Aged mice showed better muscle regeneration and grip strength. None of these results come from people. The three cited studies share authors; three 2024 authors declared roles at Ridgeline Therapeutics.
Lean Energy
- Dissolving strips NAD+ 80 mg, MOTS-c 2 mg and 5-Amino-1MQ 2 mg per strip, 30 strips
Sold by USA Standard Research, the team behind PeptidesGenie, for research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.
Research cited
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- 4Reynolds et al. (2021): MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis Animal study with human exercise measurements
- 5FDA: Bulk substances that may present significant safety risks FDA safety information
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