HMB with vitamin D3 supports muscle health in middle aged woman independent of exercise, says recent study

A recent study¹ found that a branded ꞵ-hydroxy-ꞵ-methylbutyrate (HMB) from TSI Group (Missoula, MT) when combined with vitamin D3 may support skeletal muscle health in women with insufficient vitamin D3 levels. HMB is already known to increase skeletal muscle size and function, but has been shown to be less effective for people with insufficient vitamin D3 levels, which is common in middle aged and older adults. In the small-scale randomized controlled trial study, 43 women were divided into three groups: placebo, HMB with vitamin D3 during 12 weeks of sedentary behavior, and HMB with vitamin D3 during 12 weeks of resistance exercise training.

On average, the participants entering the study had insufficient levels of vitamin D3, and the combination of HMB and vitamin D3 did increase 25-OH-D to sufficient levels after 8 and 12 weeks. Results also showed that the combination of HMB and vitamin D3 prevented the loss of arm lean mass, and increased muscle volume and decreased intermuscular adipose tissue volume in the thigh compared to placebo in subjects in the sedentary group. The addition of resistance exercise training decreased intermuscular adipose tissue volume compared to placebo, but did not influence skeletal muscle volume or function, therefore the combination of HMB and vitamin D3 effected skeletal muscle health independent of exercise.

A previous study already found that the combination of HMB, calcium and vitamin D improved muscle function in older adults, even without exercise. “In essence, because we looked at middle-aged adults, this study was like a prequel to the work already done on HMB on older adults,” said TSI Group vice president of business development Shawn Baier, M.S., M.B.A. “This age group and gender have greater purchasing power than older adults. And this study helps to explain why — on a global scale — we see middle-aged women buying HMB + D for themselves and their spouses as well as their older parents.”

Reference

1. Fairfield, W.D.; Minton D.M.; Elliehausen, C.J.; Nichol, A.D.; et al. Small-Scale Randomized Controlled Trial to Explore the Impact of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Plus Vitamin D3 on Skeletal Muscle Health in Middle Aged Women. Nutrients. 2022, 14 (21): 4674. DOI: 10.3390/nu14214674