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Abstract
Position Statement: The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) bases the following position stand on a critical analysis of the literature on the use of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) as a nutritional supplement. The ISSN has concluded the following. 1. HMB can be used to enhance recovery by attenuating exercise induced skeletal muscle damage in trained and untrained populations. 2. If consuming HMB, an athlete will benefit from consuming the supplement in close proximity to their workout. 3. HMB appears to be most effective when consumed for 2 weeks prior to an exercise bout. 4. Thirty-eight mg·kg·BM-1 daily of HMB has been demonstrated to enhance skeletal muscle hypertrophy, strength, and power in untrained and trained populations when the appropriate exercise prescription is utilized. 5. Currently, two forms of HMB have been used: Calcium HMB (HMB-Ca) and a free acid form of HMB (HMB-FA). HMB-FA may increase plasma absorption and retention of HMB to a greater extent than HMB-CA. However, research with HMB-FA is in its infancy, and there is not enough research to support whether one form is superior. 6. HMB has been demonstrated to increase LBM and functionality in elderly, sedentary populations. 7. HMB ingestion in conjunction with a structured exercise program may result in greater declines in fat mass (FM). 8. HMB’s mechanisms of action include an inhibition and increase of proteolysis and protein synthesis, respectively. 9. Chronic consumption of HMB is safe in both young and old populations.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Bill Campbell, Nelo Zanchi, Lem Taylor, Colin Wilborn and Jose Antonio contributed equally to this work.
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1550-2783-10-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Bill Campbell, Nelo Zanchi, Lem Taylor, Colin Wilborn and Jose Antonio contributed equally to this work.
Competing interests
JMW has received external grants from industry to affiliated institutions to conduct exercise and nutrition research. PJF has no competing interests to declare. BC has received university and private sector funded grants to conduct research on several dietary supplements and has received compensation for speaking at conferences and writing lay articles/books about dietary supplements. GJW has no competing interests to declare. NZ has no competing interests to declare. LT has received academic and industry funding related to dietary supplements and honoraria for speaking at conferences. CW has received external grants to conduct exercise and sport nutrition research. DK works for a Contract Research Organization that has received research grants from the pharmaceutical and nutrition industries. JRS is currently a science advisor to Abbott Nutrition. JRH currently conducts research for Metabolic Technologies Inc. TNZ has received external grants from industry to conduct nutrition and supplement research and is a science advisor for Biotest Labs LLC. HLL has received funding from industry to conduct clinical research through The Center for Applied Health Sciences, has consulted for multiple dietary supplement and medical food companies, and currently serves as scientific and medical advisor to Nordic Naturals, Inc. RK has received external grants from industry to affiliated institutions to conduct exercise and nutrition research, serves as a legal expert on exercise and nutrition related cases, and currently serves as a scientific advisor for Woodbolt International. AESR has received external grants from industry to affiliated institutions to conduct exercise and nutrition research. JA is a sports science consultant for VPX/Redline.
Authors’ contributions
JMW prepared the draft of the position stand for review and editing by coauthors. The final draft was then reviewed and edited by all coauthors which was then reviewed, approved, and adopted as the official position of the ISSN by the Research Committee. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
