DL185 Dileucine: Premier Muscle-Building Ingredient by NNB Nutrition

The Evolution of Muscle-Building Supplements in Sports Nutrition

In the realm of sports nutrition, the pursuit of enhanced muscle growth and recovery has led to the development of various supplements. Among these, leucine, a branched-chain amino acid (BCAA), has been recognized for its role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis (MPS) via the mTORC1 pathway. However, recent research suggests that DL185 Dileucine, a dipeptide form of leucine developed by NNB Nutrition, may offer superior benefits for muscle building and performance enhancement.

Understanding Leucine: The Anabolic Trigger

Leucine has long been considered a key amino acid for initiating MPS, primarily through the activation of the mTORC1 pathway. This process is crucial for muscle growth and repair, especially following resistance training. Despite its importance, studies have indicated that leucine alone may not be sufficient to maximally stimulate MPS, highlighting the need for more effective compounds.

While leucine is essential for muscle growth, its effectiveness is limited by its absorption kinetics. Free-form leucine relies on passive diffusion for absorption, which is less efficient than the active transport mechanism utilized by DL185. This difference means that simply increasing leucine intake does not replicate the enhanced muscle-building effects observed with DL185 supplementation.

Introducing DL185 Dileucine: A Superior Muscle-Building Agent

DL185 Dileucine is a patented dipeptide consisting of two L-leucine molecules (L-Leucyl-L-Leucine Monohydrate) enzymatically bonded together. This innovative structure allows for more efficient absorption and utilization in the body compared to free-form leucine. Notably, DL185 is naturally present in small amounts in animal and plant proteins, but achieving effective doses through diet alone is impractical. For example, one would need to consume approximately 159 grams of whey protein concentrate or 219 grams of pea protein to obtain the equivalent of a 2-gram serving of DL185.

How DL185 Works: Enhanced Absorption and Bioavailability

Unlike regular protein and amino acids that are broken down during digestion, bioactive dipeptides like DL185® are absorbed faster and more efficiently thanks to a special transporter in the body called PEPT1. This means DL185® can enter the bloodstream intact and deliver its muscle-building benefits more effectively, leading to higher bioavailability. Consequently, DL185 delivers leucine to muscle tissues more effectively, thereby promoting greater stimulation of muscle protein synthesis (MPS).

Clinical Evidence: DL185's Impact on Muscle Protein Synthesis

A study published in PLOS ONE investigated the effects of DL185 supplementation on resistance training adaptations. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants who consumed 2 grams of DL185 daily for 10 weeks experienced significant improvements in lower body strength and muscular endurance compared to those who ingested leucine or a placebo.

Moreover, research has demonstrated that DL185 increases muscle protein synthesis rates more effectively than leucine. Specifically, ingestion of 2 grams of DL185 resulted in an 86% greater delivery of leucine to muscles within 30 minutes, translating to a 60% increase in mean myofibrillar fractional synthetic rate compared to the same amount of leucine.

DL185 Dileucine Boosts Lower Body Strength and Endurance: Key Findings from a Double-Blind Clinical Trial

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 34 resistance-trained males (average age 28.3 ± 5.9 years) were assigned to receive either 2 grams of DILEU (dileucine) monohydrate, leucine (LEU), or a placebo (PLA) daily, while following a 4-day-per-week resistance training program for 10 weeks.

Key Results:

• DILEU significantly enhanced lower body performance:
  • Leg Press 1RM (Strength): Greater improvement in the DILEU group vs. placebo (p = 0.02; 95% CI: +5.8 to +73.2 kg).
  • Leg Press Reps to Failure (Muscular Endurance): DILEU also outperformed leucine (p = 0.04; 95% CI: +0.58 to +20.3 reps).

This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows that DILEU supplementation at 2 grams daily significantly enhanced lower body strength and muscular endurance in trained males—more effectively than either leucine or placebo. These findings suggest DL185® (dileucine) as a powerful new ingredient for maximizing resistance training adaptations.

Final Thoughts: DL185: A Game-Changer in Sports Nutrition

DL185 Dileucine represents a significant advancement in sports nutrition, offering a more effective means of stimulating muscle protein synthesis and enhancing performance. Its superior absorption, bioavailability, and clinical efficacy position it as a valuable ingredient for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking to optimize muscle growth and recovery.

References

1. Hagele AM, Krieger JM, Gaige CJ, Holley KF, Gross KN, Iannotti JM, Allen LE, Sutton PJ, Orr LS, Mumford PW, Purpura M, Jager R, Kerksick CM. Dileucine ingestion, but not leucine, increases lower body strength and performance following resistance training: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. PLoS One. 2024 Dec 31;19(12):e0312997. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312997. PMID: 39739679; PMCID: PMC11687731.
   
2. Paulussen KJM, Alamilla RA, Salvador AF, McKenna CF, Askow AT, Fang HY, Li Z, Ulanov AV, Paluska SA, Rathmacher JA, Jäger R, Purpura M, Burd NA. Dileucine ingestion is more effective than leucine in stimulating muscle protein turnover in young males: a double blind randomized controlled trial. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Sep 1;131(3):1111-1122. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00295.2021. Epub 2021 Jul 29. PMID: 34323596.
3. Churchward-Venne, T. A., et al. (2012). J Physiol, 590(11), 2751-2765.
4. Heilier, M. D., et al. (1972), Gut, 13, 965-969.
5. Morifuji, M., et al. (2010). J Agric Food Chem, 58(15), 8788-8797.
6. Kerksick, C. M., et al. (2018). J Int Soc Sports Nutr, 15, 38.

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