HMB

HMB, or beta - hydroxy - beta - methylbutyrate, a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, is used in supplemental form to maintain adequate cholesterol synthesis which supports and maintains membrane function.

Research suggests that supplemental HMB can markedly decrease muscle membrane damage as evidenced by the decreased leaking of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) out of muscle cells after strenuous damaging exercise.

In general, HMB appears to play a significant role in the way our bodies build new muscle tissue and burn fat.

Due to these effects of the compound, it has been found beneficial in studies for weight training efficiency.

Also importantly, from anti aging perspective, studies sourced by the compound manufacturers suggest the compound helps improve the cardiovascular effects of exercise, lower LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular risk.

HMB - Studies

Effect of dietary supplements on lean mass and strength gains with resistance exercise: A meta-analysis. Nissen, S. and R. Sharp. J. Appl. Physiol. 2003. 94:651-659.

Creatine and �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) additively increase lean body mass and muscle strength during a weight- training program. J�wko, E., P. Ostaszewski, M. Jank, J. Sacharuk, A. Zieniewicz, J. Wilczak, and S. Nissen. Nutrition 2001. 17:558-566.

Body composition in 70-year-old adults responds to dietary �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate similarly to that of young adults. Vukovich, M.D., N.B. Stubbs, and R.M. Bohlken. 2001. J. Nutr. 131:2049-2052.

�-Hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation does not affect change in strength or body composition during resistance training in trained men. Slater, G., D. Jenkins, P. Logan, H. Lee, M. Vukovich, J. A. Rathmacher, and A. Hahn. 2001. Int. J. Sport Nutr. & Exer. Metab. 11:384-396.

�-Hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate ingestion, Part I: effects on strength and fat-free mass. Gallagher, P.M., J.A. Carrithers, M.P. Godard, K.E. Schulze, and S.W. Trappe. 2000 Med. & Sci. in Sports & Exer. 32:2109-2115.

Nutritional supplementation of the leucine metabolite �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) during resistance training. Panton, L.B., J.A. Rathmacher, S. Baier, and S. Nissen. 2000. Nutrition 16:734-739.

�-Hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate ingestion, Part II: effects on hematology, hepatic, and renal function. Gallagher, P.M., J.A. Carrithers, M.P. Godard, K.E. Schulze, and S.W. Trappe. Med. & Sci. in Sports & Exer. 2000. 32:2116-2119.

�-Hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation in humans is safe and may decrease cardiovascular risk factors. Nissen, S., R.L. Sharp, L. Panton, M. Vukovich, S. Trappe, and J.C. Fuller, Jr. J. Nutr. 2000. 130:1937-1945.

Effects of �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate on muscle damage after a prolonged run. Knitter, A., L. Panton, J.A. Rathmacher, A. Peterson, and R. Sharp. J. Appl. Physiol. 2000. 89:1340-1344.

The effect of �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) on VO2 peak and lactate threshold in endurance-trained cyclists. Vukovich, M.D., and G.D. Dreifort. J. Strength and Conditioning Res. 2001. 15:491-497.

Effect of the leucine metabolite �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate on muscle metabolism during resistance-exercise training. Nissen, S., R. Sharp, M. Ray, J.A. Rathmacher, D. Rice, J.C. Fuller, Jr., A.S. Connelly, and N. Abumrad. J. Appl. Physiol. 1996. 81: 2095-2104.

Effects of calcium �-hydroxy-�-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation during resistance training on markers of catabolism, body composition, and strength. Kreider, R.B., M. Ferreira, M. Wilson, and A.L. Almada. Int. J. Sports Med. 1999. 20:503-509.