Blog Articles

Study shows HMB prevents loss of lean mass

Shawn Baier — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Researchers studied the effects of daily HMB supplementation in aged rats during a 16-week period. They studied a control group and an HMB group that took 0.46 g/kg/d, which is comparable to a 6 g/d dosage in humans because rats have a much higher metabolic rate than humans. There was a lean body mass (LBM) decline in the control group, while the HMB group saw an improvement in the lean body mass/total body mass (LBM/TBM) ratio. HMB use was also shown to reduce fat mass (FM). This study, which used rats as a model for elderly humans, showed that HMB supplementation can prevent loss of lean body mass and improve the LBM/TBM ratio, although the mechanisms for these results are not known.

To find out more about this study and how HMB can prevent loss of lean muscle mass, read the abstract at here.

Improved grip strength and function seen with HMB use

Shawn Baier — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 +0000

By giving middle-aged and older rats HMB for 16 weeks, researchers determined the effect of HMB on strength and sensorimotor function. After 16 weeks of HMB supplementation at 0.46 g/kg/d (which is comparable to a 6 g/d dosage in humans because rats have a much higher metabolic rate than humans), the HMB group showed either improved strength or maintained strength, while the control group showed a decline in strength. Overall, both the placebo group and the HMB group saw a decrease in sensorimotor function from 44 to 102 weeks, but HMB supplementation did show an 11 percent increase in sensorimotor function during the time period from 44 to 60 weeks of age. This study, which used rats as a model for older humans, showed that HMB supplementation helps improve or maintain strength and sensorimotor function.

For more information about how HMB can help improve strength and sensorimotor function, read the abstract at http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/ViewAbstract.aspx?sKey=70437d9d-390f-4d38-a317-c21e89b7174b&cKey=a800d10e-8d11-4cc3-96cd-204af05f19fe&mKey={24A58842-A6E4-47C5-889B-B8D603BBBA25}.

HMB effect on myofiber dimension and myogenic response in female rats

Shawn Baier — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Recent research looked at the effects that HMB taken along with exercise had on lean body mass and myofiber dimensions of aged female rats, 19 months old. The rats were split into three groups, non-exercise control, exercise and HMB-supplemented group at 0.46 g/kg/d, and non-HMB exercise group. The exercise and HMB group as well as the non-HMB exercise group engaged in resistance training every 3 days for 10 weeks. Results showed that lean body mass improved in both the HMB and non-HMB groups with high intensity exercise, and also increased the myofiber cross-sectional area and myogenic response. These increases seen in older rats may be attributed to HMB and high intensity training.

To read more about this particular study, go to http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/24/1_MeetingAbstracts/1058.8?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=hmb&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&volume=24&issue=1_MeetingAbstracts&resourcetype=HWCIT. More information about HMB and all the research can be found at www.hmb.org.

Greater strength gains found in aged female rats with HMB use and resistance training

Shawn Baier — Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Researchers recently tested three groups of aged female rats in order to see the effects that HMB intake and resistance training had on muscular function. The three groups included a control group, an HMB-supplemented group, at 0.46 g a day, and a non-HMB group. The control group did not undergo any resistance training and did not ingest any HMB. The other two groups underwent intense resistance training, and the subjects’ maximum strength was evaluated before, during, and post exercise. The group that underwent resistance training and took HMB showed significant increases in strength gains, which is most likely attributed to HMB increasing muscle mitogenic responses. Overall, this study shows that using HMB, along with resistance training, leads to greater strength gains in aged individuals.

For more information on this study, visit http://submissions.miracd.com/EB2010/Itinerary/SearchResults2.asp. To read more about other studies on HMB, visit www.hmb.org.

Reduced fat in middle-aged and older rats seen with HMB

Shawn Baier — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Researchers tested HMB on middle-aged rats, 44-60 weeks, and older rats, 86-102 weeks, to see the effect HMB use had on these rats’ body and fat mass and how this compares to younger rats. Both young and old rats were given 0.46 g/k/d for 16 weeks. Body mass increased in the control groups, but not in the middle-aged HMB group, and body mass was lowered in the older HMB group. Fat mass increased in the middle-aged control group, but not in the middle-aged HMB group, and fat mass decreased in the older HMB group, but not in the older control group. These findings, which used rats as a model for humans, show that HMB works to reduce fat mass in middle-aged and older individuals.

To find out more about this study, read the abstract at http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/meeting_abstract/24/1_MeetingAbstracts/736.1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=hmb&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&volume=24&issue=1_MeetingAbstracts&resourcetype=HWCIT. For more information about HMB and to read testimonies from HMB users, check out www.hmb.org.

ISSN Exercise & Sports Nutrition Review

Shawn Baier — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In the recent review “ISSN exercise & sports nutrition review: research & recommendations” by the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), HMB was rated in the second highest category of possibly effective supplements for muscle building and performance. In this review, HMB was classified as a supplement that promotes general health and that helps athletes “tolerate” heavy periods of training. The ISSN based their placement of HMB and their conclusions on credible studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of HMB.

The review states that HMB, supplemented at 1.5 to 3 g/day, has shown increases in muscle mass and strength, particularly in untrained subjects. The ISSN said that gains in muscle strength and mass have typically been between 0.5 to 1 kg greater for those taking HMB than gains seen in control subjects during a period of three to six weeks. The review also states that HMB has been shown to help reduce the catabolic effects of intense exercise and could have additive effects when taken with creatine.

By reviewing various studies of HMB, the ISSN concludes that HMB helps improve training adaptations for both trained and untrained athletes, as well as reduces protein breakdown after intense training periods.

To learn more about this review, visit the publications section at http://www.hmb.org/publications/publication_categories.cfm?PublicationCategoryID=9. More about HMB and the how it works to increase lean mass and strength gains can be found at www.hmb.org.

Attenuation of protein degradation by HMB

Shawn Baier — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

In recent research regarding HMB, the mechanism as to how HMB attenuates protein degradation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was evaluated. HMB is known for its ability to inhibit protein degradation in the body, but the mechanism as to how HMB does this is still being investigated. Researchers Russell and Tisdale wanted to see exactly how HMB reduces the severity of protein breakdown. They found that 50 μM of HMB was able to completely attenuate total protein degradation. HMB was able to do this by decreasing the effect LPS has on protein synthesis in the body. In their first study, Russell and Tisdale found that LPS reduced protein synthesis by 40 to 50 percent at a concentration of one to 100 ng/mL. By hindering the cellular signally events of LPS, HMB was ultimately able to minimize protein breakdown. This research suggests that HMB may be useful in lowering muscle atrophy. Along with resistance training, HMB works to decrease protein degradation while simultaneously increasing protein synthesis to give greater lean mass and strength gains.

More about this study can be found at http://www.springerlink.com/content/w8331887w252k205/. For more about HMB, check out www.hmb.org and continue to look for information about HMB studies in the research blog!

Acute timing effects with HMB

Shawn Baier — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The most recent study on HMB assessed the topic of acute timing effects. The researchers hypothesized that taking HMB prior to strenuous exercise would decrease muscle damage, as opposed to the placebo taken before or after exercise, or HMB taken after exercise. Acute timing effects, or consumption of HMB close to the time of exercise, have never been investigated prior to this research study. This study evaluated the differences seen in taking HMB before high intensity training and taking HMB after high intensity training. The researchers were able to do this by looking at indirect markers of skeletal muscle damage. The results showed that taking HMB before strenuous exercise could prevent increases in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) which is an indicator of muscle injury.

The researchers were also able to note that HMB was able to attenuate the rise in CK (another indicator of muscle damage) and soreness in the quadriceps and hamstrings when the supplement was taken prior to exercise. This new research explores the timing effects of HMB and ultimately concludes that taking it an hour before exercise might visibly reduce select markers of muscle damage.

To read more about this specific study, visit http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2642830/?tool=pubmed.

For more information on previous HMB studies, visit http://www.hmb.org/publications/publication_categories.cfm?PublicationCategoryID=1.

Know whats in your supplements

Shawn Baier — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Recently there have been many issues with contaminated dietary supplements, which are becoming a vital concern for the public’s health and safety. Metabolic Technologies, Inc. understands this concern and takes all the necessary precautions to ensure both safety and quality. According to an article written by Pieter A. Cohen, M.D. in the New England Journal of Medicine, there are now 140 contaminated products that have been identified on the market and most of them are labeled as dietary supplements (article “American Roulette – Contaminated Dietary Supplements” can be read here). The FDA’s detection of these supplements has been inhibited due to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which allows many supplements to go to the market without strict regulation. Cohen said many of the contaminants are toxic plant material, heavy metals and bacteria. He said many of the contaminated products have resulted in serious adverse events ranging from dehydration to addiction.

Metabolic Technologies, Inc. (MTI) has a high standard for the quality and purity of the HMB it produces. MTI tests HMB for heavy metals, such as lead and arsenic, E. coli, salmonella, DHEA, yeast and mold. With all of these tests, MTI assures there are no contaminants in the HMB produced, so it is pure and safe to use. There have also been various safety studies on HMB, which have shown no adverse effects. To read about the research on HMB’s safety and how MTI produces only high-quality and pure HMB, visit hmb.org!

Buyer Beware: There is a difference in the HMB sold on the market!

Steve Nissen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Metabolic Technologies maintains a research lab that evaluates the quality of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) that we sell to our customers and that infringing companies dump on the market. Additionally, we evaluate HMB for purity and quality for every lot that we sell. We insist the companies that distribute HMB place our patents on the label, which assures that you are getting the highest quality product available. However, there are companies that attempt to avoid licensing HMB from Metabolic Technologies and often put an inferior or no HMB in their products. This could explain why some individuals have reported mixed results with HMB supplementation. This would also explain why the HMB product they are taking has an off or bad flavor. Our lab recently received a bottle of HMB capsules from a non-licensed manufacturer, and we wanted to share these results. The capsules were analyzed by HPLC and the accompanying picture illustrates the poor quality of HMB in this product. Besides HMB, there were three other compounds in the capsules that diluted out the HMB supplied in their inferior product. Those who buy this product are being cheated! For comparison, we included an example of the high quality HMB we sell. Can you notice the difference? Occasionally, we find products with no HMB in them at all (this is illustrated by the third image here). At Metabolic Technologies, we will continue to provide the highest quality HMB available and do everything in our power to prevent those manufactures of non-licensed HMB products from staying on the market with poor quality HMB.

New HMB Review!

Steve Nissen — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Take a look at the new HMB publication. It is a review of the body of research on HMB entitled, Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) on exercise performance and body composition across varying levels of age, sex, and training experience: A review; G.J. Wilson, et.al.

Clicke here to view!

Research Update - HMB Improves Aerobic Performance

Steve Nissen — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Researchers from the University of Sherbrooke examined the effects of five-week HMB supplementation during a three times per week interval training regime. Body composition and maximum oxygen consumption were measured in these athletes while they were taking part in the interval training. The group of athletes was divided into two treatements: placebo or 3 grams of HMB daily. Subjects in the HMB supplementation group had a dramatically improved VO2 max. Furthermore, the HMB supplemented group had an overall loss in body fat and an overall gain in lean tissue when compared to the placebo supplemented subjects.

Lamboley CR, Royer D, Dionne IJ. (2007). Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate on aerobic-performance components and body composition in college students. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 17:56-69.