The quick answer DL185 is dileucine, a dipeptide made of two L-leucine molecules bonded together. It occurs naturally in protein foods in small amounts. MPS185 provides 2g of DL185 in a four-capsule serving.
DL185 is the branded dileucine in our MPS185 capsules. This guide covers what dileucine is, how it differs from ordinary leucine, how much is in a serving and what the published human studies tested.
What Is DL185?
DL185 is a branded form of dileucine, made by Ingenious Ingredients. Its full name is L-leucyl-L-leucine monohydrate. It is a dipeptide, which means two amino acids joined together. In this case both are leucine.
What Is Leucine?
Leucine is one of the nine essential amino acids. Your body cannot make it, so it has to come from food. It is one of the three branched-chain amino acids, along with isoleucine and valine, and it is found in every complete protein.
Protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Meat, fish, eggs, dairy and whey protein are all rich in leucine.
Dileucine vs Leucine
| Leucine | Dileucine (DL185) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A single amino acid | Two leucine molecules bonded together |
| Type | Essential amino acid | Dipeptide |
| Found in food | Yes, in all complete proteins | Yes, in small amounts in animal and plant proteins |
| How it is sold | Powders, BCAA blends, protein powders | Capsules, as a branded ingredient |
Is Dileucine Found in Food?
Yes. Dileucine is a natural part of the diet. It is present in animal and plant proteins, with animal proteins generally containing more. The amounts are small, which is why it is sold as a supplement in a measured dose.
How Much DL185 Is in MPS185?
- Per serving: 2,000mg of DL185 in four capsules.
- Per tub: 120 capsules, 30 servings.
- How to take it: four capsules a day with water, ideally with your post-workout meal.
- Capsule: vegan.
2g a day is the amount used in the two published human studies of dileucine.
What the Studies Tested
Dileucine has two published human studies at 2g. Both were small, and both were funded by Ingenious Ingredients, which makes DL185. MPS185 was not itself tested, and results vary between people.
| Study | Who and how long | What they found | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paulussen 2021, Journal of Applied Physiology | 10 young men, one 2g dose compared with 2g of leucine | Muscle protein synthesis over the next three hours measured 0.075% an hour with dileucine and 0.047% an hour with leucine | Ten people, men only, a single dose, a lab measure and not a training result |
| Hagele 2024, PLOS ONE | 57 people started and 34 finished. 2g a day for 10 weeks of training | Leg press rose by 61kg with dileucine, 45kg with leucine and 21kg with a placebo. Dileucine beat the placebo but not leucine. Lean mass, bench press and jump did not differ | Four in ten of those who started did not finish |
This is a summary of published research on dileucine, not a promise of results.
Does DL185 Replace Protein?
No. DL185 is one dipeptide. It does not supply the other essential amino acids, and it is not a source of protein. Reach your daily protein intake from food first, with a protein powder if it helps.
Tip Not sure what your daily protein target should be? Work it out with the macro calculator.
Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate has 27g of protein per 30g scoop. See whey isolate vs whey protein for how it compares with standard whey.
DL185 vs PeptiStrong
PeptiStrong is a different ingredient: a mix of plant peptides made from fava beans. It is in our Peptide capsules. The two are compared side by side in DL-185 vs PeptiStrong.
DL185 FAQs
What is DL185?
A branded form of dileucine, which is two molecules of the amino acid leucine bonded together.
What is dileucine?
A dipeptide made of two leucine molecules. Its full name is L-leucyl-L-leucine.
Is DL185 the same as leucine?
No. Leucine is a single amino acid. DL185 is two leucine molecules joined into one dipeptide.
Is dileucine found in food?
Yes, in small amounts in animal and plant proteins.
How do you take MPS185?
Four capsules a day with water, which gives 2g of DL185. Many people take it with their post-workout meal.
Does DL185 have side effects?
The published human studies are small and short. The 10-week study says side effects were recorded, but the paper does not report them, so there is no published figure to quote. Do not take more than the serving on the label. If you take medication, have a medical condition, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP first.
Is DL185 vegan?
MPS185 is made with a vegan capsule.
Is DL185 a steroid or an injectable peptide?
No. It is a food supplement ingredient made of two amino acids, taken by mouth in a capsule.
Every dose on the label.
The products this guide mentions.
