Humanin

What it is

Humanin was first reported in the early 2000s as a factor that protected nerve cells from damage in Alzheimer's-disease models. It is a 24-amino-acid peptide and belongs to the mitochondrial-derived peptides, which are encoded by mitochondrial DNA. [1] Mitochondria are the parts of cells that make most of their energy.

Keep three things apart:

• The natural molecule the body makes, measured in blood in some studies.


• Laboratory analogues, which are altered versions made for experiments, such as one called HNG. [2]


• Products sold online under the name humanin. We could not verify what any such product contains, and this page cannot speak to them.

What studies have shown

• Cells and animals. Reviews describe protective effects in cell and animal models of neurodegeneration, heart injury and diabetes. [1][3] In one study, humanin analogue given to middle-aged mice twice weekly improved metabolic measures and lowered inflammatory markers. [2] In another, humanin improved cognition in aged mice. [4] Label: preclinical (cells/animals only). These results cannot be carried over to people.
• Blood levels in people. Children of centenarians had higher circulating humanin than matched controls, and levels were lower in people with Alzheimer's disease and a mitochondrial disorder called MELAS. [2] These are associations. They do not show that giving humanin would change anything. A genetic variant linked to lower humanin was also associated with faster cognitive aging in a large cohort. [4]
• Heart and kidney patients. In 94 people on long-term hemodialysis, both very low and very high humanin levels went with more deaths or cardiovascular events. [5] This was a small observational pilot, so higher is not shown to be better.
• Registered studies. A ClinicalTrials.gov search for humanin as an intervention returned three records. The ones we read measure humanin levels, for example around anesthesia or kidney injury, and do not give it as a treatment. [6]

What is not known

Humanin has no verified safe or effective human dose. We found no human safety trial, no long-term safety data and no study of how the body handles a swallowed or injected version. Reviews also stress that the mechanisms are not fully worked out. [3] Claims that it slows aging, restores energy or protects the brain are marketing claims for people. Label for any human benefit: insufficient evidence.

Where it fits

Humanin is one of several mitochondrial-derived peptides. See mitochondrial signaling and mitochondrial-derived peptides and MOTS-c, and for the bigger picture on aging claims, peptides and aging claims. To judge a claim you meet online, use how to evaluate peptide claims.