myHMB Science and
Clinical Research

The effects of HMB supplementation in highly-trained combat sport athletes (wrestlers, judokas, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu) was studied.  The athletes maintained their usual daily training and dietary regimens during the placebo-controlled crossover study. HMB supplementation resulted in an increase in lean body mass and decrease in fat mass compared with placebo supplementation.  In addition HMB supplementation resulted in increased aerobic capacity and anaerobic peak power. The authors concluded that for combat sport athletes, HMB promotes advantageous changes in body composition and aerobic and anaerobic capacity.

The authors studied muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB) in young males supplemented with CaHMB.  Similar to their previous study with HMB free acid, CaHMB provided a comparable stimulation of MPS and suppression of MPB. The pro-anabolic properties of CaHMB were shown to include activation of mTORc1.  Therefore, both CaHMB and HMB free acid have similar effects on muscle protein turnover despite the differences reported in bioavailability.

Soldiers undergoing intense military training were supplemented for 40 days with either a placebo, HMB, or HMB plus probiotic (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30).  While HMB and HMB plus probiotic attenuated the inflammatory responses (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, CX3CL1, and TNF-α), HMB combined with the probiotic attenuated the inflammatory marker IL-10 and resulted in improved muscle integrity over HMB alone.  Therefore combining the probiotic with HMB may be more effective in maintaining muscle integrity than HMB alone during intense military training.

Elite infantry soldiers were supplemented with either HMB free acid (BetaTOR) or a placebo and underwent an advanced military training, which consisted of periods of restricted sleep and severe environmental stressors.  Over the 23-day study the researchers saw a decrease in the insulin growth factor binding protein number 7 (IGFBP-7). The reduction in this protein indicated a reduced stress response, and warrants further investigation into the physiological role of HMB free acid (BetaTOR) in reducing stress during intense military training protocols.

Healthy men supplemented with HMB free acid (BetaTOR) (3 g/d) and underwent a six week resistance training program.  BetaTOR supplementation improved the anabolic adaptations (GH/IGF-1) and decreased catabolic stress hormones (cortisol/ACTH).  Similar to previous studies BetaTOR supplementation also improved strength and power during the training when compared to placebo-supplemented men.