Catalog4 refs
IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1)
Healing & RecoveryResearch use only
Educational use only. Not medical advice. Verify all information with primary sources and a licensed clinician before use.
Body Map
MusclesCirculation
Overview
IGF-1 DES (Des(1-3) IGF-1) is a truncated analog of insulin-like growth factor-1, missing the first three N-terminal amino acids. This structural modification eliminates binding to IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), meaning 100% of the peptide is bioactive rather than being sequestered in circulation. The result is approximately 10x greater potency than native IGF-1, but with an extremely short half-life of 20-30 minutes. This short duration of action allows for site-specific injection into target muscles immediately post-workout, promoting localized growth with reduced systemic exposure.
Primary Uses
Localized muscle hypertrophy
Muscle hyperplasia via satellite cell activation
Post-workout local tissue recovery
Local tissue repair and regeneration
Protocol Reference
Dose
20-50mcg post-workout (site-specific IM injection)
Frequency
Post-workout only, injected into trained muscle
Half-life
20-30 minutes
Route
Intramuscular (site-specific)
Evidence
Limited Research
Research Models
Human
Also in Healing & Recovery