HSA | FSA CARDS ARE NOW ACCEPTED

Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

The NQO1 rs1131341 Variant, the MOTS-c Pathway, and Energy & Metabolism: What Your Genotype May Mean

MOTS-c is a small peptide made in mitochondria that helps cells manage energy, support glucose use, and adapt to metabolic stress. It has been studied for its possible roles in mitochondrial efficiency, exercise response, metabolic flexibility, and body composition. The NQO1 gene helps protect cells from oxidative stress by supporting antioxidant defense and redox balance, which matters because energy production in mitochondria naturally creates reactive molecules. Together, MOTS-c related signaling and NQO1 supported protection are part of the body’s larger system for maintaining healthy energy use, resilience, and metabolic stability.

Genetic variation in the NQO1 gene may influence how efficiently the biological processes connected to MOTS-c and Energy & Metabolism function. The rs1131341 variant is analyzed in the PlexusDx Precision Peptide Genetic Test as part of the Energy & Metabolism pathway. Depending on your genotype, this variant may have a modest to meaningful influence on mitochondrial function, ATP production, and metabolic efficiency. Understanding your result gives you a personalized starting point for targeted lifestyle, dietary, and supplement strategies grounded in your unique biology.

Practical Foundations for Everyone

Regardless of your NQO1 rs1131341 genotype, the following lifestyle inputs consistently support sustained energy, metabolic resilience, and cellular vitality. Carriers of the effect allele often notice a stronger return on these habits when applied consistently — which makes regularity more valuable than intensity.

  • Consistent nutrition: A whole-food dietary pattern rich in vegetables, quality protein, healthy fats, and fiber provides the micronutrient foundation that supports energy & metabolism-related pathways at a cellular level.
  • Regular movement: Physical activity — particularly a combination of aerobic exercise and resistance training — supports the metabolic signaling and growth factor pathways that interact with energy & metabolism and biological resilience.
  • Quality sleep: Restorative sleep is essential for cellular repair, hormone regulation, and the metabolic processes that underpin energy and metabolic health. Consistent sleep timing amplifies the benefits of other lifestyle habits.
  • Stress management: Chronic stress elevates cortisol and inflammatory markers that can blunt the efficiency of pathways related to energy & metabolism. A daily stress-reduction practice — even five to ten minutes of slow breathing or mindfulness — helps maintain biological balance.

Diet Recommendations for NQO1 rs1131341 and the MOTS-c Pathway

A targeted nutritional approach for the NQO1 rs1131341 variant focuses on supplying the micronutrients and macronutrient balance that support mitochondrial function, ATP production, and metabolic efficiency and reduce the metabolic burden on pathways connected to MOTS-c. Priority nutrients vary by pathway but consistently center on anti-inflammatory whole foods, adequate protein for cellular and tissue support, and micronutrient density from colorful produce and quality fats.

The GLP-1 Support is designed to support this pathway. A nutrient-dense plan supporting GLP-1 medications with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to enhance results and minimize side effects....

Build meals around quality protein sources (fish, poultry, legumes, eggs), fiber-rich carbohydrates (vegetables, whole grains, legumes), and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds). Minimize ultra-processed foods, excessive added sugars, and alcohol — all of which increase oxidative and inflammatory burden on pathways that interact with energy & metabolism and MOTS-c-related signaling.

Supplement Considerations for NQO1 rs1131341 Support

Supplements cannot modify your NQO1 rs1131341 genotype, but targeted supplementation can address nutritional gaps and support the biological pathways connected to MOTS-c and energy and metabolic health. A foundations-first approach — prioritizing the basics before adding specialty products — produces the most consistent outcomes. Always discuss supplementation with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you take medications or manage ongoing health conditions.

The PlexusDx Energy Support is a personalized daily pack designed to support this pathway. PlexusDx Energy Support is a personalized daily pack featuring Rhodiola, Methyl B-Complex, and Tyrosine to help support steady energy, focus, and mental clarity. Designed to nourish your body’s natural energy pathways, it helps you feel more energized and resilient throughout the...

Key nutrients commonly relevant to the Energy & Metabolism pathway include those that support mitochondrial function, ATP production, and metabolic efficiency. Assess dietary gaps first; targeted supplementation is most valuable when it addresses a specific nutritional shortfall confirmed by food tracking or lab results rather than used as a substitute for consistent lifestyle habits.

Lifestyle Recommendations for Energy & Metabolism and MOTS-c Pathway Support

Consistent lifestyle habits are the most durable and evidence-supported way to reinforce the biological pathways associated with MOTS-c and energy and metabolic health. For carriers of the NQO1 rs1131341 effect allele, these habits tend to produce a more noticeable return because they directly influence the signaling environments where the variant has its greatest impact.

A practical weekly target is 150 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity combined with two to three resistance training sessions. Sleep consistency — a fixed wake time, morning outdoor light, and a 60 to 90 minute wind-down before bed — supports cellular recovery and the hormonal balance that underpins energy and metabolic health. Stress management practices such as slow breathing, mindfulness, or low-stimulation outdoor time help maintain the biological stability that MOTS-c-related pathways depend on for efficient function. Avoiding chronic sleep debt, late-day caffeine, and excessive alcohol further removes common suppressors of energy & metabolism-related signaling.

Genetic Interpretations for rs1131341 (NQO1)

2 Effect Alleles: AA (+/+)

You have the AA genotype for rs1131341 which means you carry two copies of the effect allele. This variation is associated with altered NQO1 function and may reduce the efficiency of cellular antioxidant defense and redox balance, particularly during periods of higher metabolic demand. In the context of the MOTS-c pathway, this is relevant because MOTS-c is linked to mitochondrial signaling, energy adaptation, and metabolic resilience, while NQO1 helps protect cells from oxidative stress generated during energy production. The rs1131341 variant corresponds to the NQO1*3 form and has been reported to affect splicing and, in some settings, lower NQO1 protein abundance or functional stability, although the evidence base is much smaller than for the better-known rs1800566 variant and remains less definitive. For individuals with the AA genotype, this may suggest a somewhat less robust redox-defense environment within the broader mitochondrial network, meaning recovery from oxidative stress, intense exercise, poor sleep, or excess metabolic strain may depend more heavily on lifestyle support. Helpful strategies may include a diet rich in colorful polyphenol-containing plant foods, adequate protein, regular but appropriately recovered exercise, restorative sleep, and nutrients that help support antioxidant and mitochondrial function such as riboflavin-containing foods, vitamin C–rich foods, magnesium, and selenium. This genotype does not determine poor metabolic health on its own, but it may indicate that mitochondrial efficiency and metabolic resilience could be more sensitive to oxidative-stress burden within the broader biological environment relevant to MOTS-c.

1 Effect Allele: AG (+/-)

You have the AG genotype for rs1131341, which means you carry one copy of the effect allele and one copy of the non-effect allele. This intermediate genotype may be associated with a moderate change in NQO1-related antioxidant capacity, often representing a middle-ground pattern between the two homozygous genotypes. In connection with the MOTS-c pathway, this suggests that cellular redox balance is likely to remain broadly functional, but may show some variation in efficiency depending on the surrounding metabolic context. Because NQO1 helps defend against reactive quinones and oxidative stress generated during mitochondrial activity, even modest changes in enzyme expression or splicing may influence how well cells maintain stability during metabolic stress, exercise, or inflammation. A recent study reported that heterozygous rs1131341 did not clearly reduce NQO1 protein levels in its dataset, although prior splicing-QTL evidence suggests the variant can influence NQO1 splicing even in the heterozygous state. For this genotype, the most useful approach is usually to support the surrounding mitochondrial environment through a nutrient-dense diet, regular exercise with adequate recovery, good sleep, and avoidance of excessive oxidative stress from smoking, poor diet quality, or chronic sleep deprivation. Overall, this genotype is best viewed as a moderate-response marker within the broader redox and mitochondrial-stress network rather than a strong stand-alone predictor of metabolic outcome.

0 Effect Alleles: GG (-/-)

You have the GG genotype for rs1131341 which means you carry two copies of the non-effect allele. This genotype is generally associated with typical NQO1-related antioxidant defense and a more standard pattern of cellular redox regulation. In the context of the MOTS-c pathway, this suggests that the NQO1 portion of the mitochondrial stress-response network is more likely to function within the expected range, helping support more typical protection against oxidative stress generated during energy production. Since MOTS-c is studied in relation to mitochondrial adaptation, glucose utilization, and metabolic flexibility, this genotype may indicate that NQO1-linked antioxidant support is less likely to be a major limiting factor in the broader metabolic environment. Even so, mitochondrial and metabolic health still depend heavily on diet quality, sleep, exercise, inflammation, environmental exposures, and overall cardiometabolic status. The main recommendations for this genotype are therefore foundational: maintain a nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidant-containing whole foods, engage in regular physical activity, support recovery and sleep, and avoid chronic oxidative-stress burden when possible. Overall, this genotype is generally consistent with a more typical NQO1-mediated contribution to the broader redox and mitochondrial pathways relevant to MOTS-c.

Inconclusive — No Result

Your genetic data for rs1131341, a NQO1 gene variant, was not successfully called by the laboratory. This means the test did not detect a reliable result for this position, which can occur for technical reasons such as low signal intensity, DNA quality issues, or limitations of the genotyping array. Without a result, we cannot determine whether you carry the typical or effect variant for this gene. If this information is important for your health decisions, you may wish to consider retesting or confirming this variant through a targeted genetic test or sequencing method.

When to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

If you have concerns related to energy & metabolism, the MOTS-c pathway, or how your NQO1 rs1131341 results fit into your broader health picture, consult your healthcare provider. They can interpret your genetic results alongside your symptoms, health history, and lab values to guide appropriate testing, dietary adjustments, and supplementation where relevant.

PlexusDx provides genetic insights to help you understand how your genes may influence nutrient needs and biological pathways. This information is provided for educational and wellness purposes only and does not diagnose, treat, or recommend any specific medication, peptide, or therapy, some of which may be prescription-only, investigational, or intended for research use only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement regimen, diet, or health plan based on genetic information.

Frequently Asked Questions About NQO1 rs1131341 and MOTS-c

What does the NQO1 rs1131341 variant mean for my energy and metabolic health?

The rs1131341 variant in the NQO1 gene may influence how efficiently biological processes connected to MOTS-c and Energy & Metabolism function in your body. Depending on your genotype, this can have a modest to meaningful effect on mitochondrial function, ATP production, and metabolic efficiency. Understanding your result gives you a personalized starting point for a targeted lifestyle and nutrition strategy grounded in your unique genetic biology.

How does the MOTS-c pathway relate to NQO1 and energy and metabolic health?

MOTS-c is a peptide being studied for its potential role in supporting sustained energy, metabolic resilience, and cellular vitality. Researchers are interested in how MOTS-c-associated pathways may interact with genes like NQO1, which contribute to the signaling environments that influence energy & metabolism function. The PlexusDx Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, and 150 genetic insights — including NQO1 rs1131341 — to provide a comprehensive view of how your genetics may influence these interconnected systems.

Can lifestyle changes support NQO1 function regardless of my genotype?

Yes. Consistent lifestyle habits — regular exercise, quality sleep, anti-inflammatory nutrition, and stress management — support energy & metabolism-related biological pathways across all genotypes. For carriers of the effect allele at rs1131341, these habits tend to produce a stronger measurable return because they directly reinforce the signaling environments where this variant has its greatest influence. Consistency and habit stacking — combining exercise, sleep, and nutrition improvements together — tends to produce better outcomes than any single change in isolation.

What tests can help me learn more about my energy and metabolic health and the MOTS-c pathway?

The PlexusDx Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, and 150 genetic insights — including NQO1 rs1131341 — to deliver a comprehensive picture of how your genetics may influence peptide-related health pathways. The Peptide Pathways Report translates your results into personalized, actionable guidance. Your healthcare provider can also recommend targeted blood tests based on your specific pathway results and health history to complement your genetic insights with current biomarker data.

If this genetic variant is present in your PlexusDx results, the following tests and reports are commonly used to explore it further:

🧬 Genetic Tests:

📄 Genetic Report:

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.