What Is Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)? Other Names: Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate, HMB de Calcium, Hidroximetilbutirato

What is Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)?

This post was written with Consensus AI Academic Search Engine – please read our Disclaimer at the end of this article. Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) is a metabolite of the essential amino acid leucine. It has gained attention in the fields of sports nutrition and clinical health due to its potential benefits in muscle mass maintenance, strength enhancement, and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage. This article explores the various aspects of HMB, including its effects on body composition, muscle performance, and its applications in different populations. Other names include: Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate Monohydreate, Beta-Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyric Acid, Calcium B-Hydroxy B-Methylbutyrate Monohydrate, Calcium HMB, Hidroximetilbutirato, HMB, HMB de Calcium, Hydroxyméthylbutyrate, Hydroxymethyl Butyrate, Hydroxyméthyl Butyrate.

Effects on Body Composition and Strength

Several studies have investigated the impact of HMB on body composition and strength. For instance, a study on resistance-trained male athletes found that HMB supplementation did not significantly influence changes in strength or body composition over a 6-week period1. Conversely, another study on highly-trained combat sports athletes reported that HMB supplementation led to an increase in fat-free mass and a reduction in fat mass, along with improvements in aerobic and anaerobic capacity2.

Applications in Sports

HMB has been studied extensively in the context of sports and athletic performance. In elite male rugby players, HMB supplementation was shown to help maintain body mass during periods of high training loads, although it did not significantly improve strength variables3. Additionally, HMB has been found to reduce signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, such as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and plasma creatine kinase activity, in non-resistance trained males5.

Benefits for Older Adults

HMB supplementation has also been explored for its benefits in older adults. A study on pre-frail older adults demonstrated that HMB, combined with high-protein oral nutrition shakes, significantly increased muscle mass, improved physical performance, and reduced intramuscular adiposity4. Another study aimed at managing sarcopenia in older people found that HMB, in combination with elastic-band resistance exercise or vibration treatment, could be an effective strategy to mitigate the progression of sarcopenia6.

Clinical Applications of Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)

In clinical settings, HMB has shown promise in reducing muscle loss and improving protein metabolism in critically ill patients. A randomized controlled trial found that HMB supplementation resulted in improved amino acid metabolism, reduced net protein breakdown, and better global health, although it did not significantly reduce muscle wasting over a 10-day observation period7. Additionally, HMB supplementation in malnourished cirrhotic patients showed trends towards improved handgrip strength and reduced minimal hepatic encephalopathy9.

Effects on Bone Health

HMB has also been studied for its effects on bone health. In male turkeys, long-term HMB administration was found to improve volumetric bone mineral density and enhance the geometrical and mechanical properties of the skeletal system8.

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Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) Mechanism of Action

HMB is believed to work by reducing muscle protein breakdown and promoting muscle protein synthesis. This dual action helps in preserving muscle mass and enhancing recovery, especially during periods of intense physical activity or muscle wasting conditions.

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Adverse Effects of Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB)

No Significant Adverse Effects on Health Parameters

Studies on highly trained athletes and untrained collegiate males found no significant adverse effects on blood parameters, hepatic enzyme function, renal function, or the immune system with HMB supplementation2 3.

HMB supplementation did not result in any serious adverse effects in elderly women, indicating its safety in this population as well8.

Minor Changes in Blood Parameters

Minor changes were observed in blood bicarbonate levels and blood monocyte and lymphocyte counts in athletes, but these remained within normal ranges and were not considered clinically significant2.

No Adverse Effects on Muscle Damage Markers

HMB supplementation did not affect markers of muscle damage or muscle protein turnover in resistance-trained athletes, suggesting no negative impact on muscle health4.

No Ergogenic Effects

HMB and HMB combined with creatine did not show any ergogenic effects on muscular strength, endurance, leg power, or body composition in highly trained athletes, indicating that it does not enhance performance but also does not harm it6 9.

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How has Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) Improved Patient Outcomes?

Reduction in Mortality and Improved Nutritional Status in Older Adults

HMB supplementation significantly reduced 90-day mortality and improved nutritional status in malnourished, hospitalized older adults2.

Improvement in Muscle Mass and Physical Performance in Older Adults

HMB supplementation, especially when combined with exercise, improved muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older adults with sarcopenia or pre-frailty4 6 10.

Attenuation of Muscle Wasting in Critically Ill Patients

HMB supplementation showed potential in reducing muscle wasting and improving protein metabolism in critically ill patients, although the primary endpoint of muscle mass preservation was not significantly different from placebo1 3 9.

Enhanced Muscle Strength and Physical Performance in Healthy Older Women

In healthy older women, HMB supplementation improved several muscle strength and physical performance parameters, although it did not significantly affect overall physical performance scores10.

Potential Benefits in Cancer Cachexia

HMB combined with other supplements (arginine and glutamine) was studied in lung cancer patients with cachexia, but the trial did not show significant benefits, possibly due to slow accrual and partial adherence7.

Improved Outcomes in Patients with Cardiac Disease

HMB supplementation, combined with exercise therapy, is being investigated for its potential to improve muscle strength, muscle mass, and cardiac function in patients with cardiac disease8.

Feasibility and Preliminary Benefits in Multi-Trauma Patients

HMB supplementation was feasible in multi-trauma patients and showed a trend towards attenuating muscle loss, although results were not conclusive1 9.

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Common Complaints Associated with Hydroxymethylbutyrate (Hmb) Use

Muscle Damage and Soreness Reduction

HMB supplementation has been shown to reduce signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage, including delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and plasma creatine kinase activity, following eccentric resistance exercise1 5.

Impact on Muscle Mass and Strength

In older adults, HMB supplementation during periods of bed rest helped maintain lean body mass and reduced muscle strength loss3.

In critically ill patients, HMB did not significantly reduce muscle wasting but improved amino acid metabolism and overall health4.

HMB supplementation did not affect changes in strength or body composition during resistance training in trained men6.

Body Composition and Nutritional Status

In malnourished cirrhotic patients, HMB supplementation showed trends towards improved handgrip strength and reduced minimal hepatic encephalopathy, although it did not significantly change fat-free mass2.

Joint Flexibility and Muscle Function

Low-dose HMB supplementation alleviated muscle strength loss and improved joint flexibility following eccentric contractions5.

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