Applied Nutrition HMB

HMB 500g is a product from UK based company Applied Nutrition. This product states that it is a precursor to leucine and so helpful for recovery. This review will aim to examine the ingredients in this product to see if it can support the claims made.

HMB (Beta-Hydroxy Beta-Methylbutyrate Calcium Anhydrous).

HMB or otherwise known as β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate is a chemical component of leucine. HMB has been found to help reduce the breakdown of protein within the muscle (1, 2), however it seems to be less effective as leucine in protein synthesis (3). It is feasible to assume that HMB can help muscle wastage in athletes when they are in out of season, however more research is needed to understand this. 

HPMC (Vegetarian Capsule Shell).

HPMC stands for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hypromellose for short. It is a capsule to encases’ supplements. It is clear and tasteless;  comes in vegetarian and vegan forms and provides no nutritional benefit.

This product contains ingredients that can help with post exercise recovery and can be added in combination with other supplements to aid in recovery. This product should be consumed 1-3 times daily, two capsules per dose. This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label / ingredients posted on the website. 

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

1 – Wilson, J. M., Lowery, R. P., Joy, J. M., Walters, J. A., Baier, S. M., Fuller, J. C., … & Duncan, N. M. (2013). β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid reduces markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and improves recovery in resistance-trained men. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(03), 538-544.

2 – Hoffman, J. R., Cooper, J., Wendell, M., Im, J., & Kang, J. (2004). EFFECTS OF [beta]-HYDROXY [beta]-METHYLBUTYRATE ON POWER PERFORMANCE AND INDICES OF MUSCLE DAMAGE AND STRESS DURING HIGH-INTENSITY TRAINING. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 18(4), 747-752.

3 – Nissen, S. L., & Sharp, R. L. (2003). Effect of dietary supplements on lean mass and strength gains with resistance exercise: a meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94(2), 651-659.