As a formulator obsessed with innovation, I’m always hunting for ingredients that don’t just sound good on paper or are theoretically believed to work. I’m searching for ones that actually have sound clinical data and move the needle where it matters. In the case here for this article that would be muscle growth, recovery, and performance. Let’s talk about one of the most exciting developments in the world of amino acid science and natural peptides: DL-185®, better known as Dileucine.
If you’re serious about building muscle and protecting against catabolism (the muscle breakdown that happens when training, dieting, or recovering from injury), you need to know why dileucine is becoming a key player in advanced supplementation strategies and new muscle building innovations within the nutraceutical space.
WHAT IS DILEUCINE?
At its core, dileucine is exactly what it sounds like: a dipeptide made from the binding together of two leucine molecules.
Now, why does that matter and why is it so much better than leucine on its own? We know that leucine is the most anabolic amino acid for stimulating mTOR (the key pathway for muscle protein synthesis).
Dileucine outshines leucine on its own because in the body, dipeptides are absorbed differently — and often faster — than free-form amino acids.
Instead of relying solely on standard amino acid transporters, dipeptides like dileucine can take advantage of PEPT1 peptide transporters in the gut, delivering leucine into the bloodstream quickly and much more efficiently. This is going to allow your body to stimulate mTOR much more rapidly and reach an anabolic (muscle building) state quicker.
DILEUCINE FOR MUSCLE GROWTH AND RECOVERY
Faster Absorption = Faster Anabolism:
By utilizing different transport pathways, dileucine can spike blood amino acid levels rapidly, getting the growth signal (mTOR) initiated sooner after a workout (or even during).
More Potent Activation of mTOR:
Emerging research suggests dileucine could be even more effective than free leucine at turning on muscle-building signals. That means better recovery, stronger adaptation, and greater lean mass retention.
Combating Catabolism During Stress:
Whether it’s heavy training, caloric restriction, or fasted cardio, your body is constantly balancing anabolic and catabolic signals. Dileucine helps tip that scale hard toward preserving and building muscle, even when conditions aren’t perfect.
Versatile Use:
Because of its stability and efficiency, dileucine can be used in multiple formats: intra-workout, post-workout, or even between meals during cuts. The timing of taking dileucine is going to be very dependent on the user.
