β-hydroxy-β-methyl-butyrate (beta-hydroxy-beta-methyl-butyrate) is a metabolite of the amino acid leucine.

Function

  HMB appears to play a role in facilitating β-oxidation of fatty acids at the peripheral level. This implies, on the one hand, sparing muscle glycogen reserves (Vukovich, 2001) during the application of a metabolic load and, on the other hand, improving endurance performance.

Negative notes

  HMB supplements have no known adverse effects.

Form and posology

  HMB supplements are mostly commercially available in capsule form. The recommended dosage is 3g/day, divided into three equal doses, or 12.5mg/kg body weight/day, again divided into three doses of the same amount.