---
title: HMB to Support Muscle Health
description: EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF ENSURE® GOLD. The only oral nutritional supplement with an advanced formulation scientifically proven to support strength, immunity and energy.
---

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# HMB supplement with Vitamin d and high-quality protein

## EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF ENSURE® GOLD

 The only oral nutritional supplement with an advanced formulation scientifically proven to support strength, immunity and energy; a unique blend of 3 ingredients, including CaHMB, high-quality protein and Vitamin D. 

[Learn more](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/)

![Strength Icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Strength%20Icon.svg)

 STRENGTH

![Energy Icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Energy%20Icon.svg)

 ENERGY

![Recovery Icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Recovery%20Icon.svg)

 IMMUNITY

### Ensure® Gold helps to support muscle health which is important for an active lifestyle, giving you more energy to enjoy the moments that matter.

![drop](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/3.1%20HMB/drop.png)

HMB

### WHAT IS HMB?

HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is a naturally occurring metabolite of the branched-chain amino acid leucine, that helps slow down muscle breakdown and preserve muscle mass. It is naturally present in some foods and it’s also produced in small amounts in the body however, levels of HMB in the body may decline with age.

![line](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/3.1%20HMB/line.png)

### WHY TAKE SUPPLEMENTS WITH HMB?

HMB can also be found in oral nutritional supplements. Supplementation with HMB has been extensively studied since the 1990s. Over 80 clinical trials, 30 years of research, over 120 published clinical trials, and more than 60 studies in healthy older or immobilized and recovery patients, performed in different populations, have concluded that HMB is safe and supports muscle health.

### HISTORY OF HMB

HMB was first used among athletes as supplementation demonstrated to lower muscle breakdown following resistance training. Studies in athletes have also shown the positive effects HMB has on enhancing recovery, lean body mass, muscle strength and power, and aerobic performance.

Researchers have started to uncover the benefits HMB can have on ageing adults, adults who are immobile or those with acute or chronic diseases. Studies demonstrate that HMB can help:  
- Improve muscle strength with exercise and muscle function in older adults.  
- Preserve muscle mass in individuals who are immobile.  
- Reduce inflammation and improve pulmonary function in COPD patients in the ICU.

![line](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/3.1%20HMB/line-left.png)

### WHAT IS HMB USED FOR?

HMB combined with high quality protein supports muscle recovery and helps to maintain healthy muscle mass. This is especially relevant after the age of 40, where muscle mass may decrease by 8% every 10 years. This is a natural part of aging which can be exacerbated by illness, injury, inactivity, or a poor diet. The good news is that with the right strategies you can support your muscles at every stage of life and continue to enjoy the things you love to do. Make sure that you stay active, your diet includes enough protein and consider HMB drinks or supplements to support muscle health.

![line](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/3.1%20HMB/line.png)

![drop](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/3.1%20HMB/drop.png)

HMB

### WHAT IS HMB?

HMB (beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate) is a naturally occurring metabolite of the branched-chain amino acid leucine, that helps slow down muscle breakdown and preserve muscle mass. It is naturally present in some foods and it’s also produced in small amounts in the body however, levels of HMB in the body may decline with age.

### WHY TAKE SUPPLEMENTS WITH HMB?

HMB can also be found in oral nutritional supplements. Supplementation with HMB has been extensively studied since the 1990s. Over 80 clinical trials, 30 years of research, over 120 published clinical trials, and more than 60 studies in healthy older or immobilized and recovery patients, performed in different populations, have concluded that HMB is safe and supports muscle health.

### HISTORY OF HMB

HMB was first used among athletes as supplementation demonstrated to lower muscle breakdown following resistance training. Studies in athletes have also shown the positive effects HMB has on enhancing recovery, lean body mass, muscle strength and power, and aerobic performance.

Researchers have started to uncover the benefits HMB can have on ageing adults, adults who are immobile or those with acute or chronic diseases. Studies demonstrate that HMB can help:  
- Improve muscle strength with exercise and muscle function in older adults.  
- Preserve muscle mass in individuals who are immobile.  
- Reduce inflammation and improve pulmonary function in COPD patients in the ICU.

### WHAT IS HMB USED FOR?

HMB combined with high quality protein supports muscle recovery and helps to maintain healthy muscle mass. This is especially relevant after the age of 40, where muscle mass may decrease by 8% every 10 years. This is a natural part of aging which can be exacerbated by illness, injury, inactivity, or a poor diet. The good news is that with the right strategies you can support your muscles at every stage of life and continue to enjoy the things you love to do. Make sure that you stay active, your diet includes enough protein and consider HMB drinks or supplements to support muscle health.

### Learn more about HMB

 

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## RELATED PRODUCTS

Discover all the products in the [Ensure® Gold](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/) line to help improve everyday strength, immunity and energy.

#### [![#210163-Ensure-Web-banners_ENSUREGOLD2-04](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202022/SA%20Ensure/%23210163-Ensure-Web-banners_ENSUREGOLD2-04.png) For everyday strength, immunity & energy Ensure Gold](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/)

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**References: **

1. Argilés JM, Campos N, Lopez-Pedrosa JM, et al. Skeletal Muscle Regulates Metabolism via Interorgan Crosstalk: Roles in Health and Disease. JAMDA 2016;17(9):789-796.
2. Zhang Z, Rathmacher J, Coates C, et al. Occurrence of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate in Foods and Feeds. FASEB J. 1994;8:A464 [Abstract 2685].
3. Cruz-Jentoft AJ, Landi F, Schneider SM, et al. Prevalence of and interventions for sarcopenia in ageing adults: a systematic review. Report of the International Sarcopenia Initiative (EWGSOP and IWGS). Age and Ageing 2014;43:748-759.
4. Prado CM, Purcell SA, Alish C, et al. Implications of low muscle mass across the continuum of care: a narrative review. Ann Med 2018;50(8):675-693.
5. Stout JR, Smith-Ryan AE, Fukuda DH, et al. Effect of calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (CaHMB) with and without resistance training in men and women 65+ yrs: A randomized, double-blind pilot trial. Exp Gerontol 2013;48(11):1303-1310.
6. Kuriyan R, Lokesh DP, Selvam S, et al. The relationship of endogenous plasma concentrations of β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate (HMB) to age and total appendicular lean mass in humans. Exp Gerontol 2016;81:13-18.
7. Walker DK, Thaden JJ, Wierzchowska-McNew A, et al. Determination of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate concentration and enrichment in human plasma using chemical ionization gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2017;1040:233–238.

Article available at: https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/why-hmb-is-important-for-aging-muscles/ make our life meaningful and fulfilling.

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