Lipo-C

Weight LossMetabolic

A multi-component lipotropic injection containing methionine, inositol, and choline (the MIC complex) plus B vitamins and L-carnitine. Targets multiple aspects of hepatic fat metabolism, methylation, and mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. One of the most commonly prescribed supportive treatments in weight loss clinics, typically used alongside caloric restriction and exercise.

Half-Life

Variable by component; effects are cumulative with regular dosing

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Typical Dosage

Standard: 1 mL intramuscular once or twice weekly. Often combined with calorie-restricted diet and exercise. Treatment duration varies, typically 8-12 weeks per course.

Administration

Intramuscular injection

Mechanism of Action

Lipo-C is a multi-component lipotropic formulation where each ingredient targets a different aspect of fat metabolism. The MIC complex (methionine, inositol, choline) forms the core. Methionine is an essential amino acid that serves as a methyl donor and precursor to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), which is required for the methylation of phospholipids in the liver — a process critical for packaging and exporting triglycerides as VLDL particles. Without adequate methionine, fat accumulates in hepatocytes.

Inositol, specifically myo-inositol, functions as a second messenger in insulin signaling pathways and is involved in phospholipid synthesis. It enhances insulin sensitivity at the cellular level and plays a role in serotonin receptor function, which may help regulate appetite and mood during caloric restriction. Choline is the precursor to phosphatidylcholine, the primary phospholipid component of cell membranes and lipoprotein particles. Choline deficiency directly causes hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) because the liver cannot package and export triglycerides without sufficient phosphatidylcholine.

The formulation is typically augmented with vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin or methylcobalamin), which is a cofactor for methionine synthase and required for proper methylation cycle function, and L-carnitine, which transports long-chain fatty acids across the inner mitochondrial membrane for beta-oxidation. Together, the components support hepatic fat processing, mitochondrial fat burning, and the metabolic methylation pathways that connect them. The clinical evidence for MIC injections specifically is limited, though the biochemical rationale for each individual component in fat metabolism is well-established.

Regulatory Status

Available through compounding pharmacies by prescription. Individual components are recognized nutrients. The specific combination is not FDA approved as a drug.

Risks & Safety

Common: injection site pain and bruising, nausea, mild diarrhea, fishy body odor (from choline metabolism). Serious: allergic reactions to formulation components. Rare: anaphylaxis, nerve damage from improper injection technique. Generally well tolerated as individual components are recognized nutrients. Not FDA approved as a combination drug product.

Research Papers

No research papers indexed yet. Papers are fetched from PubMed weekly.

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