Definition
HMB has recently become known primarily as a muscle building supplement, and is said to help convert training into muscle mass gain more effectively. For this reason, HMB is currently offered mainly by manufacturers who also sell other dietary supplements that are aimed at muscle building or fat loss. Some studies that investigated the effect of HMB, however, presented an outlook on a possible therapeutic benefit. This could be in the treatment of elderly patients after hip surgery, or as a dietary supplement for AIDS patients. The effect of HMB on cholesterol synthesis has not yet been sufficiently investigated and proven, but represents a further prospect of a possible therapeutic benefit that is still to be investigated.
Revenue
HMB is usually available in powder and capsules or tablets from various manufacturers. The powder typically needs to be mixed with water or a juice before ingestion. It is also recommended to take a sufficient amount of liquid when taking the tablets or capsules.
The amount of HMB that should be taken daily varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, but is usually around 1.5 to 3 grams per day, with single doses ranging from 350mg to 750mg. Long-term intake of HMB has not been thoroughly studied and is therefore not recommended. Most manufacturers recommend a limited period of use, although study experience is not available beyond 12 weeks.
There are currently no studies available on the use of HMB by persons under 18 years of age, so that it is strongly discouraged to take it before the age of 18. Since the long-term use of HMB has not been sufficiently investigated and there is no experience of possible interactions with other drugs, special care should be taken with regard to the use of the dietary supplement. As soon as side effects occur, the drug should be discontinued and the treating physician should be consulted.
HMB and muscle building
In recent decades, there have been several studies investigating the muscle building benefits of HMB. In the beginning there were studies that saw HMB as a dietary supplement for breeding animals. A muscle growth in these animals would have meant an enormous advantage and economic market for the food industry.
Through studies that could describe actual success in the use of HMB in breeding animals, HMB was also tested as a dietary supplement for athletes. However, studies in humans did not come to clear results, which is why HMB as a dietary supplement and its role in muscle building is in strong discussion. There are different hypotheses as to the extent to which HMB as a dietary supplement could induce muscle growth during strong training phases.
One hypothesis assumes that HMB as a so-called anti-catabolite can prevent the degradation of muscle caused by stress. This so-called proteolysis is caused by a significant overload of the muscle tissue. In this respect, HMB would not intervene directly in the muscle build-up, but would prevent an increased degradation at the beginning of the training.
Argumentation for this hypothesis is based on a study that measured the amount of amino acids in the blood after a certain time after training. The higher the amount of amino acids, the more likely is a previous muscle breakdown. Since significantly more amino acids were found in the blood of the subjects who did not take HMB as a supplement, this study assumed an anti-catabolic effect of HMB.
Other hypotheses assume HMB as a structural component of cells, because the biochemical structure of HMB is similar to another substance, which occurs as a calcium channel in the cells. A precise mechanism of action, how HMB promotes muscle growth, this theory can not provide. Overall, the evaluation of existing clinical studies is difficult, because the respective study conditions must always be included in the analysis.
Thus, apart from dietary supplements, the dietary intake is an important component when it comes to the increase of muscle mass, and ideally must be adjusted exactly from subject to subject. In addition, there are different genetic predispositions regarding the ability to build muscle mass in a short period of time, and it is not possible to exclude genetic factors in the analysis of the studies.The contradictory study results do not allow a clear statement regarding the role of HMB in muscle building. If the exact biochemical function of the HMB as a metabolic agent is clarified, the role of the HMB as an anti-catabolite could be confirmed and possibly even open up the market as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of certain diseases and symptoms.
