It’s become nearly impossible to escape news and ads for the GLP-1 receptor agonists. This popular class of appetite suppressing drugs is touted by celebrities and physicians alike. It’s not surprising that TSI reports significant interest in its myHMB® as an effective nutritional intervention for more sustainable weight management.
“There is a big opportunity for brands to support consumers’ weight loss objectives. Studies have shown that adding myHMB® can help preserve muscle mass and tip the scales toward fat loss,” confirms TSI Vice President of Business Development Shawn Baier, MS, M.B.A.
Some Wall Street analysts predict that global GLP-1 sales for anti-obesity may soon exceed $100 billion1. While these pharmaceuticals are effective, Baier cautions there’s a big catch.
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by dramatically reducing food and energy intake, and by reducing gastric and intestinal motility. “When food consumption and total calorie intake drop, the resulting weight loss can be from muscle, fat and water,” explains Baier.
“Once people stop taking GLP-1s, their appetites come back with vengeance. If they haven’t learned to change their diet and lifestyle, they tend to regain the weight. But this time they’ve got an even bigger problem. While some of the weight lost may have been muscle mass, the weight that returns is composed of even more fat. And without muscle to fuel the metabolism, that fat will be even harder to lose the next time.”
Baier adds, “Maintaining muscle mass during weight loss can lead to more effective and sustainable fat loss. Greater muscle mass can also lead to more strength and energy, and proper body composition. It’s the cornerstone of overall health.”
myHMB® helps shift the body toward greater fat utilization
Baier explains that myHMB® helps maintain healthy muscle, even during dramatic reductions in calorie intake. “myHMB® helps protect muscle and utilize fat storage by increasing the breakdown of fat stores. Muscle cells then use those fatty acids for energy. Studies show the longer the body has increased concentrations of myHMB®, the more efficient this process becomes.”
TSI’s findings indicate that myHMB®:
- Helps maintain lean muscle mass.
- Supports fat loss.
- Helps with metabolic efficiency.
- Supports healthy body composition.
Published studies confirm that myHMB®:
- Helps athletes preserve muscle mass during acute body mass loss
Combat sports athletes typically lose weight as a pre-competition strategy. A randomized, placebo-controlled study published by the Chinese Journal of Physiology found myHMB® preserved fat-free mass in collegiate boxers. Muscle mass decreased in the placebo group. - Enhances body composition responses to intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting is another trending weight loss strategy. This randomized, placebo-controlled trial published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found only the intermittent fasting plus myHMB® group had a significant decrease in fat mass and body fat. - Increases fat loss with calorie restriction in athletes
In this controlled study of female Judo athletes during calorie restriction, myHMB® enhanced fat loss and helped maintain muscle mass. Performance tended to be better in the myHMB® group. The study was published in the Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness. - Supports body composition in overweight women, independent of exercise
In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in Obesity Medicine, only the myHMB® group had significant decreases in weight, body mass percentage, fat mass, hip circumference and hip skinfold. - Decreased intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) independent of exercise
In this randomized, placebo-controlled study published in Nutrients, myHMB® plus vitamin D decreased IMAT; and it increased leg muscle mass in sedentary women.
TSI understands the pivotal role of muscle health and overall wellness, particularly in the context of weight management. “For a growing number of consumers and healthcare professionals, it’s not just about shedding pounds. It’s about building a healthy, functional body to promote long-term health, functionality and quality of life,” Baier concludes.
Contact us to learn more about partnering with TSI Group on products that support healthy weight loss management and preserve muscle mass.
Read more about the topic in publications:
- Nutraceutical Business Review
- Nutrition Insight
- Medriva
- Whole Foods Magazine
- Nutraceuticals World
- Nutritional Outlook (interview)
- Nutritional Outlook
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