HYDROXYMETHYLBUTYRATE (HMB): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Hydroxymethylbutyrate (HMB) is a chemical that is made when the body breaks down leucine. Leucine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein.

HMB might promote muscle growth. It can be found naturally in small amounts in grapefruit, alfalfa, and catfish. It's also naturally made in the body.

People use HMB for building muscle or preventing age-related muscle loss. It's also used for athletic performance, muscle loss due to HIV/AIDS, muscle strength, obesity, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). Taking HMB by mouth seems to increase muscle mass and might slow the loss of muscle in older adults. But it might not help any more than exercise.

Possibly Ineffective for

Physical performance in elderly adults. Taking HMB by mouth while participating in an exercise program doesn't improve physical performance any more than participating in the exercise program alone.

There is interest in using HMB for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: HMB is possibly safe. Doses of up to 3 grams daily for up to one year have been used safely.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: HMB is possibly safe. Doses of up to 3 grams daily for up to one year have been used safely.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if HMB is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for HYDROXYMETHYLBUTYRATE (HMB) overview.

Dosing

HMB and a calcium salt of HMB (Ca-HMB) have most often been used by adults in doses of 2.4-3 grams by mouth daily. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Mangine GT, VanDusseldorp TA, Hester GM, Julian JM, Feito Y. The addition of ß-Hydroxy ß-Methylbutyrate (HMB) to creatine monohydrate supplementation does not improve anthropometric and performance maintenance across a collegiate rugby season. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2020;17(1):28. View abstract.

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Paddon-Jones D, Keech A, Jenkins D. Short-term beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation does not reduce symptoms of eccentric muscle damage. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2001;11:442-50. View abstract.

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Rathmacher JA, Pitchford LM, Khoo P, et al. Long-term Effects of Calcium ß-Hydroxy-ß-Methylbutyrate and Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Muscular Function in Older Adults With and Without Resistance Training: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2020;75(11):2089-2097. View abstract.

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Rowlands DS, Thomson JS. Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation during resistance training on strength, body composition, and muscle damage in trained and untrained young men: a meta-analysis. J Strength Cond Res 2009;23(3):836-46. View abstract.

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Slater G, Jenkins D, Logan P, et al. Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation does not affect changes in strength or body composition during resistance training in trained men. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2001;11:384-96. View abstract.

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Stout JR, Fukuda DH, Kendall KL, Smith-Ryan AE, Moon JR, Hoffman JR. ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation and resistance exercise significantly reduce abdominal adiposity in healthy elderly men. Exp Gerontol. 2015;64:33-4. View abstract.

Stout JR, Smith-Ryan AE, Fukuda DH, et al. Effect of calcium ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (CaHMB) with and without resistance training in men and women 65+yrs: a randomized, double-blind pilot trial. Exp Gerontol. 2013;48(11):1303-10. View abstract.

Teixeira FJ, Matias CN, Monteiro CP, et al. No effect of HMB or a-HICA supplementation on training-induced changes in body composition. Eur J Sport Sci 2019;19(6):802-10. View abstract.

Thomson JS, Watson PE, Rowlands DS. Effects of nine weeks of beta-hydroxy-beta- methylbutyrate supplementation on strength and body composition in resistance trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(3):827-35. View abstract.

Tritto AC, Bueno S, Rodrigues RMP, Gualano B, Roschel H, Artioli GG. Negligible effects of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate free acid and calcium salt on strength and hypertrophic responses to resistance training: a randomized, placebo-controlled study. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2019;29(5):505-11. View abstract.

Tsuchiya Y, Hirayama K, Ueda H, Ochi E. Two and four weeks of ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementations reduce muscle damage following eccentric contractions. J Am Coll Nutr 2019;38(4):373-9. View abstract.

Viana MV, Becce F, Pantet O, et al. Impact of B-hydroxy-B-methylbutyrate (HMB) on muscle loss and protein metabolism in critically ill patients: A RCT. Clin Nutr 2021;40(8):4878-4887. View abstract.

Wada N, Kurokawa Y, Tanaka K, et al. Perioperative nutritional support with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, arginine, and glutamine in surgery for abdominal malignancies. Wounds 2018;30(9):251-6. View abstract.

Wilson JM, Fitschen PJ, Campbell B, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB). J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2013;10(1):6. View abstract.

Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Joy JM, et al. ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate free acid reduces markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and improves recovery in resistance-trained men. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(3):538-44. View abstract.

Wilson JM, Lowery RP, Joy JM, et al. The effects of 12 weeks of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation on muscle mass, strength, and power in resistance-trained individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2014;114(6):1217-27. View abstract.

Wu H, Xia Y, Jiang J, et al. Effect of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation on muscle loss in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gerontol Geriatr 2015;61(2):168-75. View abstract.

Yokota T, Hamauchi S, Yoshida Y, et al. A phase II study of HMB/Arg/Gln against oral mucositis induced by chemoradiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2018;26(9):3241-3248. View abstract.

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HYDROXYMETHYLBUTYRATE (HMB) - Uses, Side Effects, and More