HMB paired with vitamin D3 improves muscle function in older adults without exercise

14 Sep 2020 --- Muscle loss in older adults can be minimized by combining beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and vitamin D, according to a new study supported by supplement supplier TSI. The key finding was that adults over 60 can improve and sustain muscle strength – without physical exercise.

“For the past two decades, HMB has evolved from a sports nutrition product to a more universal muscle health ingredient for medical and adult nutrition. This study is further validation of the value and benefits of HMB on muscle health, from athletes to the aging adult,” Larry Kolb, president of TSI, tells NutritionInsight.

Preventing muscle loss with HMB and vitamin D 
Published in The Journals of Gerontology, the 12-month long study assigned 117 healthy elderly adults to  four groups: control group without exercise; control group with exercise; HMB with vitamin D and without exercise; and HMB with vitamin D and with exercise.  

HMB has been studied for its muscle health benefits in medical nutrition and healthy aging applications.The exercise consisted of 60-minute supervised progressive resistance training sessions three days a week. Researchers measured physical function, muscle strength and body composition at three-month intervals. 

In the non-exercising group, participants taking HMB and vitamin D experienced more significant improvements in physical function and tended to have greater increases in strength than participants did taking the placebo supplement. They were also able to sustain this improvement throughout the year. 

Moreover, the moderate resistance training did not provide any further benefit over either exercise or HMB+D alone.

The results are indicative of HMB’s dual mechanism of action, namely stimulating muscle protein synthesis and lessening muscle protein breakdown. 

“Together, these two actions help regulate muscle protein balance to improve the overall quality and function of the muscle,” Kolb explains.

Strengthening the scientific backing 
This investigation was preceded by a year-long, placebo-controlled study of HMB. It had found that HMB increased lean body mass in adults over age 65 but didn’t appear to improve strength. 

“A retrospective analysis of that data revealed that those individuals with sufficient vitamin D status experienced robust strength improvements, while those with insufficient vitamin D did not,” Kolb underscores.

This observation suggests that HMB and vitamin D may have a synergistic effect when supplemented together. This latest study has “reconfirmed” the synergistic benefit between the two nutrients, adds Kolb.

In June, TSI acquired Metabolic Technologies (MTI), a research-driven company responsible for the discovery of HMB, which is naturally produced during leucine metabolism.

Physical exercise is “always the most powerful activity” to fight muscle loss, says Kolb.“The acquisition strategically aligns TSI’s HMB manufacturing and business development capabilities with MTI’s HMB patent portfolio and clinical research. It supports capabilities into one integrated company that is poised to expand HMB distribution and market awareness through our key brand partners globally,” Kolb notes.

Physical exercise still encouraged
TSI’s HMB-vitamin D supplement is designed to aid seniors who are unable or unwilling to exercise, This may include people who are frail or have age-related muscle loss, the company states. 

“Our aspiration is to establish the category of muscle health within the industry. Simultaneously, we will be actively working to generate awareness for consumers on the value of HMB and vitamin D as the primary nutrient combination for optimal muscle health,” Kolb details.

However, he stresses that the study’s findings “definitely do not” encourage older adults to skip out on exercise.

“In addition to its importance for muscle health, exercise has a multitude of benefits for older adults. This study indicates HMB supplementation may be a very valuable tool for people who can’t or won’t exercise. It might even help people get back to where they can start to exercise,” he emphasizes.

Ultimately, exercise is “always the most powerful activity” to fight muscle loss, Kolb concludes. 

By Anni Schleicher