Supplements

What is DL185™ Dileucine?

What is DL185™? Let's take a closer look at this exciting new ingredient.

By Paul Fletcher
4 min read
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In the ever-evolving industry of sports supplements and functional ingredients, DL185™ is potentially the most exciting innovation of 2024. At EFECTIV, we are very excited to be bringing this groundbreaking ingredient to the UK for the very first time in the form of MPS185.

So what is DL185™?

DL185™, or dileucine, is a new dipeptide which consists of two L-Leucine molecules that have been bonded together. If you've been using sports supplements for a while, you've probably used, or at least heard of leucine.

Leucine is well known as one of the 9 essential amino acids which the body must obtain from the diet. Leucine plays a critical role in numerous physiological functions, most noticeably as a key regulator of muscle protein synthesis (MPS). To understand how leucine fits into your overall protein strategy, read our whey protein buying guide.

Why should I use DL185™ instead of standard L-Leucine?

Some research suggests that leucine alone may not be the most sufficient way to maximally stimulate MPS [1]. This is where DL185™ may be useful, by harnessing the MPS power of leucine, providing meaningful performance and recovery benefits when taken alongside a resistance training program.

Dileucine is a natural dietary component that can be found in all animal and plant protein sources, with animal proteins generally containing higher amounts of dileucine compared to plant proteins. If you're looking to optimise your supplement stack, explore our full range of strength training supplements designed to support performance and muscle adaptation.

HOWEVER, protein alone will struggle to provide you with the clinically validated dosage of dileucine, as you'd have to consume 159g of Whey Protein Concentrate (over 5 30g scoops) or 219g of Pea Protein (over 7 30g scoops) to get the dileucine found in a 2g serving of DL185™.

The bottom line is DL185™ provides a concentrated form of the anabolic power of leucine. To understand how other performance-enhancing compounds compare, read our deep-dive on elevATP® and its role in ATP production.

DL185™: Rapid Leucine Uptake

To optimally stimulate MPS following resistance training or intense physical activity, a certain amount of leucine is needed (1.7-3.5g), ideally from a fast-absorbing protein source such as Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate — one of the best whey protein supplements available for leucine delivery.

With DL185™, 86% more leucine is delivered to the muscles in just 30 minutes which translates to a 60% increase of mean myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate (FSR) compared to the same amount of leucine in healthy young men [2].

With DL185™ you will benefit from more MPS... Faster. For a broader look at how to support muscle recovery through nutrition, see our guide on Casein 101 — the slow-release protein for overnight recovery. And for practical recovery strategies you can apply to any training programme, read our recovery strategies guide.

A leucine-rich protein base

Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate delivers 27g of protein per 30g scoop from ultra-filtered WPI90, naturally rich in leucine and low in lactose. It's one of the highest-quality options in our protein powder range.

Train hard and unleash your natural potential

DL185™ vs leucine when combined with a multi-week training program:

Compared to control, DL185™ significantly increased leg press strength gains, while leucine alone showed no significant change [3]. If you're serious about building strength, pairing DL185™ with creatine monohydrate is a well-researched strategy — learn more in our Creatine 101 guide. For mindset and training principles that complement your supplement stack, see our interview with PCA World Champion Elliot Robinson.

Where can I buy DL185™?

EFECTIV Nutrition MPS185 packs in a full 30 day supply of DL185™ at the clinical dosage with 2g per 4 capsule serving. It stacks perfectly with any high-quality whey protein to maximise post-workout MPS. For tips on getting back to peak performance, check out our article on rebuilding your physique and strength.

MPS185 — DL185™ at the clinical dose

MPS185 delivers 2g of DL185™ dileucine per 4-capsule serving — a 30-day supply per tub. It's one of the most innovative muscle-building supplements we've ever launched. Want to understand how other key ingredients support your training? Read our Beta Alanine ingredient spotlight to see how it complements DL185™ for endurance and performance.

References: [1] Churchward-Venne, T. A., et al. (2012). J Physiol, 590(11), 2751-2765. [2] Paulussen, K. J. M., et al. (2021). J Appl Physiol, 131(3), 1111-1122. [3] Hagele, A. M., et al. (2024). Submitted, pending publication.

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Written by
Paul Fletcher
Sports Nutrition Writer

Our team of sports nutrition experts research and write every article. All content is reviewed for accuracy and backed by current scientific evidence.

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