Supplements focusing on muscle building come in a large variety to choose from, but they have a lot of differences in what they affect. There are post-workout supplements, like Clear Muscle, mass gainers, like Dymatize Super Mass Gainer, and many more. Some stimulate protein synthesis, some prevent muscle waste, and others increase hormone production.
Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate butyrate (HMB) is a supplement made to improve muscle development. What are the best HMB supplements? Let’s find out!
What Is HMB?
HMB is the derivative of leucine, which is one of the three branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). Leucine is seen as the primary amino for muscular recovery and growth assistance. HMB comes into the scheme of muscle development by preventing muscle waste during protein synthesis, which is quite important for growth.
Resistance training is not the only way muscle will grow, and it only plays a minor part in this process. When you train, your muscles become microscopically torn, which is why you feel sore hours after a workout.
Your body must undergo protein synthesis in order for them to repair. This is when your body uses protein for repairs and cellular growth.
However, a downfall to training is muscle waste may occur, which is when protein is pulled from muscle instead of nutrients being consumed. HMB is used to prevent this negative effect from occurring by preventing muscle waste and creating a balance within protein growth vs. breakdown.
HMB Supplement Benefits
HMB is a specialized supplement geared more towards those new to lifting, or athletes seeking to change the intensity of their workout, especially while being on a calorie deficit. The following benefits are possible by consuming HMB:
- Increased protein absorption with less chances of breakdown for muscle growth
- Improved strength with bigger lifts such as squats, deadlifts, and the bench press
- Shortens the recovery process and overall soreness following a workout
- Controlled muscle growth with fat loss taking place simultaneously
- Heightened aerobic endurance for better training performance
All of these benefits were only seen due to the intense effects of training on the body. Those doing standard workouts of moderate-intensity will see little use from this supplement.
Do HMB Supplements Really Work?
This is a tough question due to varying results produced from research studies. In the beginning, research showed it was only effective at preventing muscle waste during protein synthesis for new lifters.
Several years later, other studies were released showing that it not only assisted with hindering muscle protein breakdown, but also increased ATP levels for strength performance.
ATP is the energy molecule your body uses for all movement, especially bigger lifts, and is gained through creatine use as well. The difficult part with these studies later released is that they were executed from a research team funded by a manufacturer of HMB. This study was not allowed to be published in a scientific journal due to this reason.
Consumers using HMB have similar, varying results, which is most likely due to the concept it’s only good for new lifters and athletes training intensely. Your body won’t feel or appear different if not enough shock is being placed on the muscles during training.
Are HMB Supplements Right For Me?
As mentioned, HMB is only suitable for possible benefits if you are placing increased stress on your muscles through training. New lifters experience this because muscles experience their first shock with resistance training, and can see results up to 3 months.
Advanced lifters that are increasing their training intensity experience possible results because muscle waste is a large risk factor, and control of the breakdown with HMB is noticeable. Anyone inconsistent with training and only doing moderate workouts should consider a different supplement.
Best HMB Supplements
HMB is not necessarily new, but the popularity has risen as more studies come out showing possible benefits. The following HMB supplements are the best products out there for you to consider.
Bulk Supplements HMB
Our top choice for HMB supplements is Bulk Supplements HMB. Bulk Supplements is a well-known company that produces a wide variety of supplements, such as Bulk Supplements Creatine Monohydrate. This powdered supplement includes 140mg of calcium and 1000mg of calcium b-hydoxy b-mathylbutyrate monohydrate per serving. It supports the growth of lean muscle mass as well as providing benefits such as aiding in muscle recovery and helping to improve aerobic exercise performance. Additionally, Bulk Supplements HMB is free of soy, dairy, sugar, yeast, corn, gluten and additives.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON BULK SUPPLEMENTS HMBOptimum Nutrition HMB
A great brand that has been around for quite some time with quality products. They have the highest capsule dosage available for HMB, and the price is pretty reasonable as well. Each bottle has 90 capsules with 1,000mg (1g) of HMB per dosage.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON OPTIMUM NUTRITION HMBNOW Sports HMB
NOW foods has high-quality products with lots of consumer trustworthiness. Their supplements are often single-ingredient products, or products that contain a mixture of 2-3 ingredients that work well together.
Their HMB product comes with 120 capsules containing 500mg dosages. This is a bit lower than the Optimum Nutrition product, but the brand overall is worth paying a bit more for, especially if there are sales.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON NOW SPORTS HMBCore Nutritionals HMB
Core Nutritionals is a newer brand compared to the other top HMB supplements, but they do offer consumer-friendly products. Reviews across the board are high for their supplements, and people seem to purchase their HMB product often.
This is in powdered form with 90g of HMB, which breaks down to 90 servings. The only downfall is not being in capsule form for easier use.
GET THE BEST PRICE ON CORE NUTRITIONALS HMBCan I Stack HMB Supplements With Anything?
You should consider stacking HMB with supplements that focus on protein synthesis, which are EAA, BCAA, protein powder, and even Leucine on its own. You have to support your protein intake and have enough amino acids present to change into whole proteins for growth.
Eating plenty of rich protein foods such as eggs, meats, poultry, and dairy will be of assistance. However, sometimes it’s difficult to consume enough protein throughout the day.