Also indexed as: Beta Hydroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate
Where is it found?
Small amounts of HMB are present in many foods of animal and plant origin, especially alfalfa and catfish. The amino acid leucine is metabolized into a compound
called alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC), which is then turned into HMB by the body. Dietary
supplements of HMB are also available.
HMB has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
HMB is not an essential nutrient. The body creates HMB from leucine, so any diet containing
sufficient amounts of leucine (most do) should lead to the adequate production of HMB. Limited
evidence indicates that athletes may benefit from supplemental intake of HMB.
How much is usually taken?
Most people do not need to use HMB. For those involved in regular exercise who do choose to
take this supplement, the research generally uses 3 grams of HMB per day in combination with
resistive exercise, such as weight lifting.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
No safety issues have been reported in the limited number of studies currently
available.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with HMB.