Clinical Data Demonstrates Muscle Support from HMB and Whey Protein in Older Adults

A randomized, double-blind, controlled crossover clinical trial published in Nutrients investigated the acute metabolic effects of pairing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) with high-dose whey protein in older adults.¹ Conducted by researchers at the University of Nottingham and funded by Abbott Nutrition, the study evaluated whether adding HMB to a substantial protein bolus could further stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and suppress muscle protein breakdown (MPB) beyond the effects of protein alone. The findings highlight a notable sexual dimorphism in anabolic responses and point to potential formulation strategies for the targeted healthy-aging sector.

How Was the Clinical Trial Designed and What Did It Formulate?

The trial enrolled healthy older volunteers aged 65 to 75 years, with 24 subjects (13 men and 11 women) completing the protocols. Participants ingested either a control beverage or an HMB-supplemented beverage in a crossover design. The HMB was supplied by TSI.

Both interventions provided a 40-gram bolus of whey protein concentrate. The active formulation differed solely by the addition of 3 grams of calcium-HMB. Researchers utilized stable isotope tracer techniques, leg blood flow measurements, and muscle biopsies to track intramuscular HMB concentrations and measure rates of muscle protein turnover.

What Were the Key Anabolic and Anti-Catabolic Outcomes?

The data revealed distinct outcomes regarding protein turnover when HMB was added to the whey protein bolus:

• Muscle Protein Synthesis (MPS): The ingestion of a 40-gram whey protein bolus successfully stimulated MPS in both cohorts. However, adding 3 grams of HMB further augmented the postprandial fractional synthesis rate (FSR) specifically in older women. This additional anabolic response was not statistically significant in older men, demonstrating a clear sexual dimorphism in how the muscle tissue responded to the combined matrix.
• Muscle Protein Breakdown (MPB): Ingesting protein alone suppressed MPB exclusively during the early-fed window (45 to 90 minutes post-ingestion), an effect typically driven by the initial insulin response. In contrast, the addition of HMB extended this anti-catabolic effect, prolonging the suppression of MPB into the late-fed state (135 to 180 minutes post-ingestion). This extended suppression was observed across both male and female subjects.

“Surprisingly, whereas 40 g of whey protein was not able to overcome the anabolic resistance in older women, the addition of adjuvant HMB was able to further enhance the MPS feeding response to high protein,” the researchers concluded. “HMB also suppressed the MPB response to protein feeding over a longer period of time. These data provide mechanistic evidence for the clinical potential of HMB in conjunction with high protein to improve muscle anabolism in populations at greater risk of muscle loss and falls, especially older adults.”

What Are the Strategic Implications for Dietary Supplement Manufacturers?

For product developers and brand owners in the nutraceutical space, these outcomes provide evidence for optimizing muscle-health formulations aimed at addressing age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia. As TSI explained, while whey protein remains foundational to muscle-supportive nutrition due to its rich essential amino acid and leucine profile, calcium HMB acts as a distinct metabolic regulator that complements rather than replaces protein intake.²

Demonstrating an example of commercial use of HMB, Mengniu Yourui, a manufacturer and distributer of dairy products in China, recently upgraded its Bone Strength Golden Formula milk powder for older adults.³ Authorized to utilize TSI's proprietary myHMB, the formulation directly pairs calcium HMB with whey protein to combat age-related muscle loss. This launch highlights a major commercial shift toward multi-dimensional, integrated mobility products that simultaneously target muscle, joint, and bone health in aging populations.

“I have spent 30 years hoping that the science of HMB would reach the people who need it most,” said Naji N. Abumrad, MD, co-inventor of HMB. “Chinese middle-aged and older adults are exactly that population. TSI and Mengniu Yourui now make it possible for them to access this ingredient at a clinically effective dose, in a format designed for their daily lives. That is what science is supposed to do.”

References

1. Smith K, Abdullah H, Rudrappa S, et al. The Effect of β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate (HMB) upon Acute Fed-State Muscle Protein Turnover in Older Men and Women: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Crossover Clinical Trial. Nutrients. 2026;18(9):1449. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18091449
2. TSI Group. New Research Suggests HMB May Complement Whey Protein in Supporting Muscle Protein Turnover in Older Adults. TSI Group News. June 10, 2026. Accessed June 25, 2026. https://tsigroupltd.com/new-research-on-hmb-plus-whey-protein/
3. TSI Group. Mobility Nutrition Moves to the Forefront as Mengniu Yourui and TSI Group Advance Next-Generation Healthy Aging Solutions. June 17, 2026. Accessed June 25, 2026. https://tsigroupltd.com/mengniu-yourui-bone-strength-golden-formula/