Benefits & Side Effects of HMB

Beta-hydroxy Beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB) is a derivative of the amino acid leucine and it is synthesized in the human body. This metabolite is also called Beta-hydroxyisovaleric acid and hydroxymethylbutyrate. HMB is sold as a body building supplement at many nutrition stores, sometimes paired with creatine and glutamine. Like many supplements, the testing has not been extensive with HMB, but the tests that have occurred show several possible benefits, and no known side effects.

Prevent Muscle Wasting

• A study at Aston University in the United Kingdom showed HMB to have a positive effect on cancer patients who had previously seen a decrease in muscle due to their treatment. HMB was found to preserve the lean muscle mass still in the body while preventing body proteins from degrading. The study report theorized that HMB stops protein degradation by inhibiting certain signals in the regulatory ubiquitin protein. HMB has been taken by cancer patients, AIDS patients, and the elderly in an attempt to preserve muscle tissue in the dosage of 3 grams per day.

Lean Muscle, Strength and Fat Loss

• A study at the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland, showed that a combination of HMB and creatine was more effective than creatine alone in adding muscle mass and increasing strength. An East Tennessee State University study demonstrated that a group taking HMB had a higher strength and a lean muscle gain than a control group not taking HMB. The HMB group also lowered body fat 0.3 percent more than the control group. Other studies have shown no significant improvement in muscle mass, strength gain and fat loss.

Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

• An Iowa State University report showed that in a collection of nine different studies, HMB supplementation resulted in a net decrease in total cholesterol and in systolic blood pressure. Since high cholesterol and blood pressure are major indicators of stroke and heart attack, HMB might be a powerful ally in the fight against these two diseases. There have not yet been any studies specifically geared toward heart disease or patients at risk for strokes to determine how successful HMB can be with these patients.

Side Effects

• The same Iowa State University report showed no significant side effects in the supplementation of HMB. There have been no long-term HMB studies in humans, but short-term use has shown no significant adverse effects. Since full safety studies have yet to be performed, HMB should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, young children or patients with severe liver or kidney disease. HMB has also not been tested at doses above 3 grams, so only take HMB at or below recommended doses.